Key fob aerial fuse 9-3 vector (2004)

[RJL123]

I hope this is the right section, I think I posted in the wrong one earlier.
Sorry for another key fob question.
My fob stopped working last night. I can open the passenger door with the inset key and the car starts with the fob, but I can't operate the central locking, which, among other things, means I can't get into my boot to remove my bike.
I get no SID message when i put the fob in and press the boot button, so I wondered whether the fault is with the bit that received the signal. However I'm struggling to work out which fuse to check. Can anyone tell me what I should look for in the manual? I can't see anything that looks right such as aerial, central locking relay.
The car is a 9-3 vector 2004.

Thanks!

[sgould]

Welcome!

I've deleted the other posts. 

A 2004 car should have a boot release button on the driver's door. There is also a plastic cap on top of the rear seat.  lever this up and out.  There should be a yellow release lever under there which will release the seat back to allow access to the boot.

The receiver for the key transmission is in the Column Integration Module (CIM), the black box around the steering column with the indicator stalks coming from it.  It's the centre of the car's security.

Do you know if your key is transmitting?

Do you have a second key to try? 

[davidguthrie]

Hello sgould. Try as I might, I cannot find a boot release button on the driver's door of my 2004 registered 9-3. Mind you, the VIN indicates that it's a 2005 edition. Also, my boot lock microswitch works only when it feels like it, which often means turning off the engine, howking out the key and hitting the remote release on the fob. PITA. The button doesn't work when the fob's in the ignition. PITA2.
Oh, the joys!

[sgould]

When the key is in the ignition and in the "On" position, pressing the boot release button should display the number of keys that you have married to your car...

[aerojon]

@Sgould I've an MY04 no boot release button..

@RJL..Can you use the fob to lock/unlock the car after it has been reinserted in the ISM..

@David..Boot switch only works for a period of time then it stops functioning,it's to prevent someone opening the boot while you're sitting in a queue..Mines the same..

[RJL123]

Hi all,
Sorry for the lack of responses until now, I've been away. I managed to find the central locking button (right under my nose) so I can access the boot now.
To answer some of the questions above:
 - The fob still starts the car.
 - The fob buttons don't work even when the fob is in the ignition.
 - Pressing the boot button when in the the ignition doesn't produce a message about keys or anything else.
 - I don't have a second key to try.
 - I don't know whether the key is transmitting - is there any way I can test it without specialised equipment?
 - I can't find any fuse with Column Integration Module or similar on it. When I get home tonight I will list all the items on the list with a 15 amp fuse and maybe one of those will suggest themselves.

From what I've read here and other boards it seems likely that the fault is either with the key fob's transmission, or with the receiver in the car. I'm unsure how to narrow it down. I wondered whether a fuse had gone but I'm having trouble identifying which one to check (and also not entirely sure what a blown one would look like). Any suggestions?

[smurkenstein]

Did you try the battery on the fob? The battery will affect the buttons, but (if I am correct) the ignition will still turn with the key in place as it uses an RFID - these things don't need battery power...might explain your conundrum.

Also, best get a spare key coded asap - if you lose all the keys  you'll need the dealer to add new hardware £££.

[Audax]

Second that advice to get another key, a key now is going to cost you around £100, if you lose that key then you're looking at around £650 for a new CIM and 2 new keys.

[sgould]

Indeed. If you only have one key, and the immobiliser chip fails, you will need new keys and a matching CIM.

The remote locking and the immobiliser are two separate functions.  While the immobiliser still works, you will be able to add another key. 

If you need to change the battery in the key, do it with the car unlocked.  Once the battery is disconnected, the key will become disassociated with the car until you re-marry it by putting it into the ignition switch hole.  You need the car unlocked to be able to get in to put the key there, or else park away from a wall so that the metal insert key can open theoassenger door.

[aerojon]

The fob buttons don't work with the fob inserted in the ism,the fob has to be in on position when you press the boot button to see how many fobs are programmed to the car..

HOW TO:Check the number of fobs programmed to your car.

 1) Insert fob into the ignition switch turn it to on,DON'T start car..
 2)Press and hold the boot lid open button on the fob for more that 2s and within 30secs of turning the ignition switch to the on position..
 3)The SID with now display the number of remotes programmed to the car,and which of these is in the igntion switch.

 SID display...* : Standard key,0:Valet key,Key No:**

 *= Number of keys programmed(1-5),** which key is in the ism(1-5)

remove the negative off the battery 5mins(***) allowing the systems to reset,reconnect..then resync fob to car by placing in ism 5-10secs,and remove and reinsert..(***car unlocked and fob out of ism)Take car for short drive to re-engage steering lock..

Can you use the fob to lock/unlock the car after it has been reinserted in the ISM..!!!!

[RJL123]

Hi all,
To clarify, the battery was only a few months old, and I tried a new I've anyway. The battery is definitely in the right way around.
Putting the key in the ignition, turning to on, and holding down the boot unlock button does nothing.

Does this sound like a problem with the key itself or could it be the CIM?

[RJL123]

Hi all,

I have found a spare fob - I thought it belonged to my partner's car (also a Saab) but the key works in my door and the fob works in the ignition. Unless the key blades are all the same and I have accidentally reprogrammed my partner's spare fob? Does that seem likely?

Anyway, the upshot is that this fob starts the car but doesn't work the central locking remotely, so it sounds to me like the part that receives the signal from the key (CIM?) is broken.

Thanks for all your help and suggestions.

[sgould]

It does look as if the receiver has failed.  But do try a new battery in the fob first. That's a cheaper option!!!

While the fob is apart, look closely at the microswitches.  Heavy use can cause them to fail.  There are people offering resoldering options and kits.

[aerojon]

only tech2 can program fobs..And they have to be NEW,used fobs cannot be programmed to another car..

have you tried this yet..

remove the negative off the battery 5mins(***) allowing the systems to reset,reconnect..then resync fob to car by placing in ism 5-10secs,and remove and reinsert..(***car unlocked and fob out of ism)Take car for short drive to re-engage steering lock..