How to Replace a Saab 9-3 Key The Saab 9-3 is an excellent car that offers a lot of driver appeal It is powerful and has excellent visibility It has a very high safety rating However, it is crucial to make sure that you have at minimum two keys working for your car It can be costly to replace a key if you lose it How to replace the ignition Key on the Saab 9-3 You'll need to replace your car key if it won't turn This guide will walk you through the steps to do it on a Saab 9-3 You will have to replace the key, purchase another reprogrammable device, and purchase a new case for your key-fob As opposed to earlier models, modern Saab cars use a transponder on the key-fob instead of a physical metal key to unlock and start the car The issue with this is that the reprogrammable battery on the key-fob can wear out and not hold a charge for long This is especially true if you use the same key for the lock you have A professional locksmith can change the battery fairly easily If you have the right tools and patience, you can do it yourself The first step is taking the key-fob out Insert flatheads into the slot that is in the middle of your case The plastic is brittle, and can easily be damaged When the case is opened then you can prepare the new key by combining the lower half of the previous key with the transponder and banana on the new key This will ensure that the new key is linked to the CIM properly, which could make all the difference when replacing the primary key for your Saab 9-3 How do I replace the ignition Key in a Saab 900 If you don't have two keys, you'll need to remove the steering wheel and dashboard for access to the ignition Begin by disconnecting the negative battery cable After the battery has been disconnected, you are able to remove the dashboard and trim pieces that surround the steering wheel After the dashboard is taken off, you can push an screwdriver through the hole in the back of the ignition switch and pull it out The ignition cylinder is fitted with a key lock that can stop the vehicle from starting if it does not have a key If the ignition switch isn't working properly, you should check whether the key is within the lock or snared inside the barrel It is also important to rotate your keys and keep them clean to avoid breaking Saab cars differ from other vehicles because they do not use traditional keys made of metal Instead, the car recognizes electronic signals coming from the key fob by using an specialized microchip inside If you have lost your only working key fob the dealer will charge you the highest dollar for replacing your computer module known as the CIM https//wwwthekeylabcouk/saab-car-keys/ can reprogram the EEPROM on your existing computer and allow it to accept new keys without having to replace it This can save you more than 50 of the price the dealer charges We call it the SAAB KEY PROGRAM Find out more about it here How to replace the ignition Key in a Saab9-5 The metal part of a traditional Saab key is easy to copy, and not much of a barrier against theft of vehicles The real protection is the electronic component inside the key-fob It is equipped with a chip which recognizes your car once it's inserted into the ignition switch Saab has relied on the technology of this anti-theft system for more than 10 years It's not as good as an actual lock on the door, but it does make the act of stealing your car harder Every Saab owner should keep a spare Saab key in their vehicle The majority of new Saabs come with two keys However, they can be added at the dealer's expense using a handheld device referred to as Tech-2 Tech-2 The cost can be under 400 for the transmitter+transponder different than the metal key blade/shell that opens the doors and turns the ignition cylinder The only exception to this rule is NG 9-3 vehicles, that have more modern, more advanced features that require a key-fob The dealer will replace the CIM or TWICE module on those cars if all keys are lost They'll charge you top dollar to do it We can reprogram your computer's EEPROM to accept new keys without having to replace expensive modules How do you replace the ignition Key in the Saab XC90 If your SAAB 9-3 key fob starts having issues turning the barrel of the lock It could be the time to replace it Fortunately, the process is fairly simple and doesn't require you to visit an agent You can do it at home, using a couple of simple tools First, you'll need to prepare the new key Before you start, disable the anti-theft by placing blocks underneath the rear wheels and activating your handbrake Then, insert the key into the ignition and turn it to the ON position which activates the accessories but does not start the engine Repeat this five times, and then leave the key in the "on" position You'll then need to purchase an additional case for your key fob These are available at most auto parts stores and are typically inexpensive Based on the model, you can even purchase them without electronic components To open the case you need to gently push the flathead screwdriver into the slot in the middle The case will break easily, and once you've done that, you'll have access to the internal electronics To remove the electronics, make use of a small screwdriver, and try to pry them out in a gentle manner