20 Tips To Help You Be More Efficient With Saab Ignition Key Replacement
Saab Key Programming
Saab cars built since 1994 feature an immobilizer that relies on keys that are coded. Adding an extra key requires a new transponder, as well as special programming. This is usually done by the dealer using a Tech2 diagnostic tool.
The problem is that this can be very expensive. This is why you should always have a spare key at hand.
Transponder key
The transponder key is a piece of hardware equipped with an electronic chip. It transmits a signal to the car when it is placed in the ignition. The car checks to see if the signal matches the one on the key. If the signals are in sync it will unlock and begin. This is a great way to deter auto theft and keep your car safe from thieves.
Transponder keys are an increasingly popular feature in automobiles, but it is important to know that they're not as secure as traditional metal keys. While the metal part of a traditional key could be cut and copied but a transponder key is protected by an electronic chip. g28carkeys.co.uk contains an unique code that is programmed into the car's computer to identify it.
When a Saab key fob is used, the car recognizes it and allows it to turn on. The car can only recognize the key fob if it has a chip that is unmodified and has been programmed to match. The car won't start when the key isn't programmed to match.
It's crucial to ensure that you have a spare key for your Saab. This is especially true for those who live in a rural area with many car thieves. The good part is that you can find a new key for your Saab without having to go to a dealership and pay the expensive prices that they demand. You can get a replacement key created on the spot for less than half of what you would spend at the dealership.
Wired key
Saab cars are typically delivered with two keys. If you only have one, it is recommended to get an additional key as soon as you can. This is because if it's lost, the car will need an entirely new CIM and the locking cylinders replaced. This can be costly especially for used vehicles.
The next step is to wire the wires for the column and row to the microcontroller. This is the most difficult part of the project and will require a good amount of soldering. There is no standardized way to accomplish this, however it is important to think about the route you'll take and solder the columns and rows. There are 22 microcontroller pins and wires to connect for this keyboard. It includes 5 rows and 17 columns.
After the columns and rows are soldered, it's the time to connect them to the key switches. Solder a diode to each key switch pin. This will protect the pins from current, thus preventing them from getting shorted. A diode lets current only flow in one direction. It has a visual indicator that is black, that indicates the direction in which current will flow.
Sanabria states that some of the tools offered in auto parts stores, like the Autel MaxiIM IM608PRO and the IM508, can help customers who are shopping or DIY users to program replacement keys and restore the immobilizer's data. The tools plug into OBD ports and help the customer through each step making the process simpler than replacing the vehicle's computer.
Jumpstarting the battery
Most people keep an item in their trunks to jump-start a vehicle in an emergency, but this might not be the best idea for newer cars. These vehicles have many electronic devices and computers that communicate with each other. A voltage spike when batteries are connected to another one could cause damage to the parts, rendering your car undriveable.
Start the vehicle you are using and allow it to run for around two minutes before you connect the cables to the non-working one. Attach the red clip to the positive terminal on the battery that is good (it will have "POS" or "+" on it). Attach the other end to a clean unpainted metal surface beneath the hood of the damaged vehicle. The engine block is an excellent alternative. The black cable is not to be connected to the negative terminal of the dead battery. This could cause sparks that could ignite gasoline in the engine compartment.
Once the cables are connected the vehicle that has been disabled and allow it to run for around five minutes before you disconnect the cables in reverse order. Remember that the battery on the Saab 9-3 will be charged when you drive, so it may take some time for the battery to go back down again. It's a good idea to purchase a spare key fob as soon as you can, because replacing the one that works requires the installation of a brand new computer module and special programming to convince the system that your lost keys aren't in the process of trying to steal the car.
Replacement Case
Many Saab owners only have one key for their car and if they lose that key, it will cost them. The reason for this is that it's not cheap to add a new key, and it requires replacing the CIM (Column Integration Module) or TWICE on older models, plus programming. In the event of theft, or any other disaster, it is best to have a spare key. Even it's "new" it won't work.
Most locksmiths can't help you with a single working key and the dealer will charge you high prices to replace the computer in your car to make a replacement. We can, however, reset and re-program the computer's EEPROM in order to prepare it to accept the new key without having to replace the whole system. This could save you a significant amount of money. It's also less expensive than waiting until you lose your only key.