Five Tools Everybody Involved In Saab Ignition Key Replacement Industry Should Be Using
Saab Key Programming
Saab cars built since 1994 use an immobilizer system that relies on keys that are coded. A new transponder is required to allow the addition of an additional key, and special programming. This is usually handled by the dealer using the Tech2 diagnostic tool.
This can be expensive. This is why you should always keep a spare key in your possession.
Transponder key
The transponder is a key with an electronic chip. The chip transmits a signal when the key is inserted into the ignition. The car then checks to see whether the signal matches with the one on the key. If the signals are identical it will open itself and begin. This is a great method to avoid car theft and keep your car safe from thieves.
Transponder keys are a popular feature in vehicles, but it is important to know that they're not as secure as classic keys made of metal. While the metal portion of a conventional key can be cut and copied, a transponder is protected by an electronic chip. This chip contains a unique code embedded 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 will only recognize the key fob if it is equipped with a chip that is unmodified and programmed to match. In the absence of that, the car will reject the key and not start.
It's important to make sure that you have an extra key for your Saab. This is particularly important if you reside in a rural location that has numerous car thieves. You can get a brand new key for your Saab by going to the dealership and not paying their pricey cost. In the majority of cases, you can have a new key created on-the-spot for less than half the price of what you would pay at a dealer.
Wired key
Saab cars usually come with two keys when they're new. If you only have one, it is a good idea to get an extra key fob as soon as you can as if you lose it, your car will require a new CIM unit and the locking cylinders have to be replaced. saab key fob programming can be costly, especially for used cars.
The next step is connecting the row and columns wires to your microcontroller. This is the most difficult part of the project and requires a significant amount of soldering. It's not a common way to go about it, but you should determine how to connect and solder each column and row. For this keyboard, there are 5 rows and 17 columns, which means there will be 22 microcontroller wires and pins to connect.
After the columns and rows are soldered, it's the time to connect them to key switches. Solder a diode on each key switch pin. This will shield the pins from current, thus preventing them from being shorted. A diode allows current to only flow in one direction. It features a visual indicator that is black, that shows which way current will flow.
Some of the tools you can find at auto parts stores -- such as the Autel MaxiIM IM608 PRO and IM508 -- could help customers in the shop, or even DIY customers in certain cases replace keys in the program and restore lost immobilizer data, Sanabria says. The tools plug into the OBD port and guide the customer through the procedure, making it much easier than replacing the computer inside the vehicle.
Jump-starting the battery
A majority of people keep an assortment of tools in their trunk to start a vehicle in the event of an emergency, but this might not be a good idea for newer cars. These vehicles are equipped with a number of digital and computer systems that communicate with one another. A voltage surge while a battery is hooked up to another could cause damage to the components and render your vehicle unable to drive.
Start the vehicle you are using and allow it to run for approximately two minutes before connecting the cables to the one that is disabled. 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 of the black cable to an unpainted, clean metal surface underneath the car's hood--the engine block is an ideal choice. Do not connect the black cable to the negative terminal of the dead battery because it could ignite an ignition spark that ignites the gasoline in the engine bay.
After the cables have been connected, start the car and allow it to run for around five minutes. Then, disconnect them in reverse. Remember that the battery on your Saab 9-3 is recharged when you drive, and it will take a while for the battery to come back to its original level. It is a good idea to invest in a spare key fob as soon as you can, since replacing the only working one requires the installation of a new computer module and special programming to convince it that the lost keys are not trying to steal the car.
Replacement case
Saab owners usually have only one car key, and if it is lost, they'll be charged. It's expensive to buy the key and also requires replacing the CIM or TWICE in the case of older models. It is best to have a spare key in the event of theft or other disaster and the most effective way is to buy an extra key as early as you can. However, don't purchase a secondhand key, even the case that it's "new." Keys that are claimed-new from aftermarket sellers will not work and are almost guaranteed to fail in the crucial moment.
The dealer will charge the highest dollar if you have only one working key. We can reset and reprogram the computer's EEEPROM in order to be able to accept a new key without having to replace the entire system. This could help you save a significant amount of money. It's much cheaper than wait until you lose the sole key.