What's Holding Back From The Saab Ignition Key Replacement Industry?

· 4 min read
What's Holding Back From The Saab Ignition Key Replacement Industry?

Saab Key Programming

Saab cars made since 1994 feature an immobilizer mechanism built on coded keys. Adding an extra key requires an entirely new transponder and programming. This is usually done by the dealer using a Tech2 diagnostic tool.

The problem is that it can be very costly.  saab spare key www.thekeylab.co.uk  should always keep an extra set of keys available.

Transponder key

The transponder key is a key with an electronic chip that sends a signal to car when it is placed in the ignition. The car then checks to see whether the signal matches the one on the key. If the signals match the car will then unlock itself and begin. This is a great method to deter auto theft and keep your car secure from thieves.

Transponder keys could be an extremely popular accessory for cars, but they are not as secure as traditional keys made of metal. While the metal part of a conventional key can be cut and copied, a transponder is protected by an electronic chip. This chip contains an unique code that is inserted into a car's computer order to identify it.

The car will recognize the Saab keyfob and permit it to turn on. The car will only recognize the key fob when it has a chip that is unmodified and programmed to match. The car won't start in the event that the key has not been programmed to match.



It is essential to ensure that you have a spare key for your Saab. This is particularly true especially if you live in a rural region that has many car thieves. The good news is that it's possible to get a replacement key for your Saab without having to go to a dealer and pay the high costs that they demand. In the majority of cases, you can have a new key created on-the-spot at a fraction of the cost of what you'd pay at a dealer.

Wired key

Saab cars are usually provided with two keys. If you own only one, you should purchase an extra key as soon as you can. This is because if you lose it the car will require an entirely new CIM and the locking cylinders replaced. This can be expensive especially for cars that are used.

The next step is to connect the column and row wires to the microcontroller. This is the most challenging part of the project and will require a great amount of soldering. There's no standard way to do it, but you must plan how to route and solder each column and row. For this keyboard, there are 5 rows and 17 columns. So there will be 22 microcontroller pins and wires to connect.

After the rows and column are joined, it is time to connect the key switches. Solder a diode to each key switch pin. This will protect the pins from current, thus preventing them from being shortened. A diode lets current only flow in only one direction. It features a visual indicator, a black band, that indicates which direction current will flow.

A few of the tools that are available 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 instances create replacement keys and restore lost immobilizer data, Sanabria says. The tools plug into the OBD port and automatically guide the customer through the process, making it more simple than replacing the computer in the vehicle.

Jump starting the battery

The majority of people have a set of jumper cables in their trunks to use in an emergency, but jumping a battery on modern vehicles might not be the best choice. These vehicles are equipped with a number of computers and digital devices that communicate with each other. A surge of voltage when the battery is connected another one could cause damage to the parts, rendering your car undriveable.

Connect the cables to the vehicle operating. Allow it to run for two minutes. 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 and unpainted metal surface beneath the hood of the disabled car. The engine block is an excellent alternative. The black cable should not be connected to the negative terminal of the dead battery. This could cause a spark, which would ignite the gasoline that is in the engine compartment.

Once the cables are connected, start the disabled vehicle and let it run for approximately five minutes before disconnecting them in reverse order. The battery in your Saab 9-3 will recharge while you drive. It may take a while it to recharge again. It's a good idea to buy a spare key fob as soon as you can, because replacing the one that works requires the installation of a new computer module and special programming to convince the system that your lost keys aren't attempting to steal the car.

Replacement Case

Many Saab owners only have one key for their vehicle and if they lose it, it's going to cost them. It's expensive to buy an additional key and it requires replacing the CIM or TWICE in the case of older models. In the event of theft, or other catastrophe it is best to have an extra key. Even if the key is "new" it will not function.

Most locksmiths can't help you with a single working key and the dealer will charge you top dollar to replace the computer in your vehicle for a replacement. We can reset and reprogram the computer's EEEPROM in order for it to accept a new key without replacing the entire system. This can save you a significant amount of money. It's also a lot cheaper than waiting until you lose your sole key.