Sometimes when the CR2032 battery in the 9-3 Sports Saloon is changed, the key buttons don't seem to work the remote locking. This is probably due to the key losing synchronisation.
To synchronise the ignition key in this car, it needs to be placed in the ignition key hole. You should hear the steering lock operate. The key should now be synchronised and the remote locking should work again.
If you are locked out of the car you need to get in to do this. Best option is to unlock the doors using the second key.
If you only have one key...
Press the Saab logo on the key and pull out the metal traditional key.
Unlock the left hand front door (passenger side in UK).
THE ALARM WILL SOUND.
Get in and put the key in the ignition switch as normal. The alarm should stop.
The key should now be synchronised and you can use it normally.
It's also worth pointing out that if you have a right hand drive 9-3 you do not want to park with the passenger side up against a wall or other object that stops you getting in if the key doesn't work, stupid corner cutting that one.
Good point! I know someone who crawled through a hedge to open the passenger door and then couldn't open the door enough! He sent his wife in to do the job. Not popular!! :o
The immobilizer unit (transponder) inside the remote does not need the battery to function. The battery is necessary only for the operation of the 4 buttons (lock/unlock, lid, panic).
When I collected my car from the dealer I was told that one key was no good, it would start the car but the lock/unlocking did not work and they had tried a new battery. Never did believe anything a dealer said so decided to investigate, battery was new but in the wrong way round, corrected it, put it in the ignition then started the car. Switched off got out, locked the car with the remote and never had a problem since. Don't you love dealers, the only positive and negative they understand is on the profit and loss account.
Does anyone know how much a second spare 'key' is, and can it be programmed so you have a permanent spare?
From Saab, about £70 to £100, depending on how many people you phone. It will be identical to the original key.
The Saab Service Centre or parts supplier will need to know the VIN number of your car so that the right blade can be cut and suppled from Sweden. Allow a week.
Remotes are available for around £5 on amazon, not genuine Saab but seem to work. Good value if you need a quick replacement.
Quote from: Guyver1 on 01 March 2013, 10:27:25 PM
Remotes are available for around £5 on amazon, not genuine Saab but seem to work. Good value if you need a quick replacement.
Really? Where are they? I can see the casing for about a fiver but not a remote and how do you program them?
Quote from: Audax on 01 March 2013, 10:50:11 PM
Quote from: Guyver1 on 01 March 2013, 10:27:25 PM
Remotes are available for around £5 on amazon, not genuine Saab but seem to work. Good value if you need a quick replacement.
Really? Where are they? I can see the casing for about a fiver but not a remote and how do you program them?
My mistake, I didn't read the ad properly :-X
I changed the casing last year for a plastic one from eBay. It worked, but it didn't have real buttons. The button positions were marked, but pressing them just flexed the case. It worked, but the pressing was very hard for my arthritic thumbs! :( And the the painted marks wore off quickly. Also the metal key was an interference fit in the slot at the back.
Yesterday I took delivery of a different fob shell which cost the same. It has actual buttons and also the slot for the metal key has the same button catch as the original. It's pleasant to use. I can't speak for the durability, but the first impressions are good. You can even prise off the Saab logo from the original key and stick it on the replacement.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/400502346604
Some photos. The head of the metal key looks small because the soft rubber finish went sticky. So I peeled it off.......
(http://i1265.photobucket.com/albums/jj503/sjgould2002/9-3%20Keyfob/DSC03735_zpseaef6a13.jpg)
(http://i1265.photobucket.com/albums/jj503/sjgould2002/9-3%20Keyfob/DSC03760_zps8ea43b03.jpg)
Another big thanks to these forums, I replaced my battery on the fob and when tried to open the car, no luck. I thought I had perhaps touched some of the circuit board and broken my fob. Great thats another £99 for a new fob!!! That is until I read this post, keys works fine now, just needed to follow instructions as in this thread. Sharing knowledge is king!
Well done! :)
This is very helpful, but what happens if the alarm doesn't go off when putting the key in the ignition?
The alarm only goes off if you have to unlock the passenger door after locking the car with the remote. If the car is already unlocked after you have changed the battery, you just have to put it in the ignition switch to synchronise it.
Quote from: sgould on 09 September 2015, 03:38:03 PM
The alarm only goes off if you have to unlock the passenger door after locking the car with the remote. If the car is already unlocked after you have changed the battery, you just have to put it in the ignition switch to synchronise it.
Thanks. It worked this morning... Hoorah !!
I had changed the batteries on both keys and neither worked.
The car was already locked and my fear was that the synchronisation wouldn't work and that I'd not be able to turn the alarm off.
Still, all is ok thanks to my finding this forum.
Moral of the story is to keep the car unlocked when changing the battery on your key fob, in case you need to synchronise it afterwards.
:-)
Well done! :)
Hi guys
Please help !!!
Last week my 93 convertible stopped accepting my key, out of nowhere when placed in its hole it wouldn't turn and a message kept flashing up saying key unrecognised (or words to that effect) contact service.
After an hour of frustration I dug out the other key, put a new battery in and that key worked and started the car. Problem solved I thoought but this key wont lock the car! So I hve one key that can unlock and lock the car but wont start it, and one key that can start it but not lock it.
I am pulling my hair out as it seems this car has a mind of its own. Before this problem the windows used to go up and down about 5 times before closing, since this issue they are fixed completely and close every time.
Its all a bit herbie goes banannas, I am currently driving my car but never locking it anywhere which cant go on.
Any tips much appreciated.
Any help guys?
Not recognising the key is often a failure of the security chip in the key. But normally putting the key in the ignition marries it to the car. You amy have a problem with the ignition key module or the CIM.
Key Module is where the key goes. The CIM is the column integration module, the black box on the steering column with the stalks coming out of it. It also contains the key aerial and controls all the car security.
Cheers
Just seems odd as if something had broken then why does one key lock it but not start and the other start but not lock.
Doesn't make sense
Quote from: frustrated on 03 October 2016, 02:59:56 PM
Just seems odd as if something had broken then why does one key lock it but not start and the other start but not lock.
Do any of the buttons work on the remote that starts it, is it that maybe the micro-switch on the key that unlocks is broken, can you lock it using this key? You could always swap the batteries between keys to see if it's a battery problem.
Anyway, it can make sense in that in one key the remote transmitter is not working or broken, in the other key the transponder chip is not working or broken.
On second thoughts you might have to bad keys. The keys have two separate parts, the security immobiliser and the remote locking
If one key has a broken/failed immobiliser chip, the car won't start, but the remote transmitter will still open the car.
The other key has a good immobiliser chip, which doesn't need any power, so it will start the car, but the remote transmitter has failed and so the remote won't work. Is the battery OK in that key? In the right way around? If you remove the battery in the key to check, you will have to remarry it by putting it into the ignition until the steering lock operates. So don't lock the car while doing the check.
Quote from: sgould on 03 October 2016, 03:50:06 PM
So don't lock the car while doing the check.
The best thing to do at this point is check that one, two or neither of the key blades lock/unlock the car via the left hand side door or leave a window open while doing this.
Both keys unlock the car manually.
Will do the other check and report back. Im in Oz by the way so not sure how difficult it will be getting spares
Ok guys
Swapped them all round and tried every combo.
Now, one key wont start the car and isnt recognised, says contact service and wont lock it anymore.
The other works and starts the car but wont lock it and says low battery/replace, even though I have fresh batterys.
I have swapped all parts/circuits etc round and its the same circuit all the time that wont work at all for anything
Any ideas?
I think that you are going to have to get the car to a dealer with a Saab Tech 2 diagnostic computer. They will be able to check if it's the key at fault or the locking system.
Do the electric switches on the doors work the locks OK?
Yep
New member with a 2006 9-3 convertible had a problem when one key wouldn't work, even after putting in a new battery. Thanks to should for telling me how to fix it.
Sorry don't know how to post a thanks yet!
Welcome! :)
My key fob works but shows low battery warning even after new one fitted. It won't open or lock the car but will work in the ignition ... if you can get in using the key! Two new batteries tried with same outcome.
Any ideas or suggestions
My other key works fine thank goodness.
check the connection isn't bent out of shape see pic..batt right way round
Thanks Jon
Batteries in right way and connection seems ok.
Did frustrated ever get his fixed. Sounds a bit like his later Oct 7 problem.
If I ever have to use the key saying low battery, will it keep working as it is a new battery in there, or will the car suddenly cut out if it or when it decides the battery is dead?
Battery is only used for the remote side of things,for starting etc the ism reads the rfid inside the fob..