Key

[nellythepenguin]

Hello

This is my first post on this site, so please be gentle.

I have a 2005 9-3 2.0T aero, and I only have the one key for it. I went down to my local (really unfriendly and unhelpful) dealer in shoreham sussex to ask for a quote for a new key and remote. I was told that they could not get one, and wouldn't even give me a quote other than "er it will be about a hundred quid".

I was wondering if anyone on here would know how to get a new key and remote, as I am dreading the day the battery runs out and I cannot get in my car anymore. Also my key wont come out of the fob when I press the saab button.

Any help at all will be greatfully recieved.

Many thanks

Neil

[Saabman]

Welcome Neil,
Keys do appear to be on back order at the moment but when available are around the £30 mark for the fob (no key blade)+ around £60 to code it via Tech 2 to your car, second hand key's can't be coded to another car.
As for the key blade coming out of the fob try pressing with a bit of force as the can be quite stiff sometimes.

[sgould]

Welcome!

Sometimes the metal "real" key can be hard to remove from the body when you press the Saab logo. Try pushing key in and out and shaking it all about.  It's difficult because the Saab logo barely moves anyway.  Perhaps some WD40, sparingly in the join?

You can buy the key in two parts, but I'm not sure if you can reprogram old used keys on the 9-3SS.  You could on the 9-5 & older 9-3.  I think I heard that the early keys from 2003/4 could be reprogrammed but nothing newer.  Don't take my word for it though as I'm only dredging things up from memory.

You may need to buy a new key.  I think £100 is a bit much, but not too bad. I would aim for £75, hopefully less.  Why not try Turners Hill Garage near Crawley, they seem to be well regarded by most people.

You will need the car and all keys present when the new key is enabled.

[Max Headroom]

Nellythepenguin?   What??

Anyway Neil, a big welcome to the forum. I havent' a darned clue about keys, so just... WELCOME!

I'm sure you will get it all sorted out eventually 

Erm, Sgould, with all respect, I wouldn't be inclined to use WD40 or any other oil unless it's silicone oil. Mineral oil will break down and eventually destroy most plastics it gets in contact with.

[Merve84]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-Saab-9-3-Key-New-Saab-9-5-Key-New-2004-Onwards-/140580565124?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item20bb413084

Please delete if this link is not allowed.

[Max Headroom]

If not allowed you called always PM it to Neil. That seems like a bargain until you see the postage is £10 

[Audax]

Keys are (almost) currently totally unobtainable. I'd say a key with programming (just the fob not the blade) would be about £75 at a specialist and about £100 from a dealer, the key fobs without blade are £27+vat but you're very unlikely to find one at all in the UK right now.

To make matters worse you can't reprogram already used keys so don't waste your money with second-hand ones. I'd also not spray anything at all on your single sole working keyfob. Worry about getting the blade out when you really need it as if you kill that key you could be looking at a bill of several hundred pounds!

[sgould]

OK maybe not WD40 while it's working.  But if all else fails.....

Don't forget that the key from the factory comes greased in some sort of wax, which melts in the heat!

[Max Headroom]

Probably silicone grease or a wax of some sort but I don't really understand why it would need it. 

[gr1ffiths]

I paid around £74 for the Fob, Blade and Coding from Southampton Saab in February as mine only had 1 key when bought.

Was in and out in under 30 mins.

[nellythepenguin]

great! thank you all so much for the advice, very helpful. I think I will refrain from spraying any lubrication on the fob until I REALLY need to. I have just got in touch with Turners Hill Saab as they seem to be recomended highly, and they can prgramme it to my car.

Thanks all!

[Max Headroom]

Silicone oil or silicone grease is safe with most plastics, but, use sparingly and only if you have to. As with all oil and greases it will still attract dirt 

[bessremy]

Hello Neil,

  Don't worry about if the battery goes flat you can still get in and drive your car.Just remove the key from the fob and open the door with the key , insert the fob into the centre column receptical.The car will then read this and you can start the car as normal , the alarm is also reset.

     Mark

P.S. Don't do like I do park your car with the passenger door next to a wall , there is only a lock on the passenger side so the drivers door can't be opened if the battery goes on your fob.

[Max Headroom]

Don't do like I do park your car with the passenger door next to a wall , there is only a lock on the passenger side so the drivers door can't be opened if the battery goes on your fob.

Hell that's good advice! I nearly always squeeze my car up to a wall on the passenger side! 

[ScarbSaab]

P.S. Don't do like I do park your car with the passenger door next to a wall , there is only a lock on the passenger side so the drivers door can't be opened if the battery goes on your fob.

Is there really no keyhole on the driver's side? I know mine is a 9-5 not a 9-3, but there is a plastic cap over the keyhole on both sides of my car.