[Gabriel.Encarnacion]

Ok! So I recently bought a 2003 Saab 9-3 linear (Manual). I decided to join this site to see if it could help.
I recently within the past month replaced
The Battery
The Starter
The Alternator
The Fuel Pump
Cost me about 850$ for all of it.
Car was up and running. I drove my sister home about a mile away from the shop (She lives near by). I shut off the car. But when I when to turn it back on nothing happened. On the speedometer only half of the lights were on and slowly dimming. Also my car had ran out of gas, I went to the gas station and bought a 2 gallon bottle and filled gas in my car. Still the car would not turn on. But this time the key would not switch from lock to on or even start! I called up one of the mechanics and he came by. He took a look at it and I heard him say "What the hell" which made me think he wasn't sure about the problem.
Had the car towed back to the shop and the battery replaced again. Car would light up and the key would turn to start but the car would not fully engage. That start up sound that you hear before the engine roars. And on the dash computer it would say "Key not recognized, contact Saab dealer" "Steering lock malfunction" I talked to the mechanic and he said I needed a new ignition switch.
Before I bought one I took a look at the car some more and now the alarm would not shut off! Even when I lock the doors the alarm horn stops but the hazards keep blinking. Only way to stop this was to unplug the battery.

I bought a new ignition switch for $150
Another mechanic told me labor would cost 230$
I was like -_____-
So did it myself.
Took me about 30 mins.
Plug the battery back in, interior lights are on but the alarm still goes off. I may need to have the key re programmed but I do have a new key that I also purchased!
So I unplugged the battery
And here I am today
Writing this post... :cheesy: lol
Please help!

 

[fragile_this_side_up]

Most certainly need to get it towed to someone with a TECH 2 that can reprogram key and new ignition module.

 

[Diggs]

I think your CIM took a dump.

 

[Diggs]

Most certainly need to get it towed to someone with a TECH 2 that can reprogram key and new ignition module.

ISM doesn't need programming.

 

[Gabriel.Encarnacion]

Yeah I was told prior to installing the new ISM that the new key I have would have to be programmed regardless, I called pop a lock and they said that they can program my key so I hope that is the solution. Just trying to sort out all other options before I call them over.

 

[Immortal]

Yep second that, sounds like a cim problem. never a fun fix without a tech 2 in your hand. If you plan to own one of these cars plan to at least have a tech 2 clone as YOU WILL NEED IT while owning these cars.

 

[Gabriel.Encarnacion]

So would that mean I have to replace the CIM or just program the new key?
On the dash board it says "Key not recognized"

 

[Immortal]

Also being I went through this with my last 05 the locksmith was not able to make a key because my cim was bad. I was out of state and he wanted $600 to program the key and I was fine with that at the time if it got the car going again. Well my cim was faulty so he was unable to get the key to work. Make sure the locksmith tells you if he can't get it to work he won't charge you the full price. This guy charged me $100 and it took him quite a few hours to find out it wouldn't work. When the locksmith tries to program a key the cim needs to be removed so steering wheel off etc. Good luck

 

[Immortal]

You need a cim with a matching key. I got a virgin cim from lostsaabkeys and was able to program my key to it because the ecm stores up to 6 or 8 key codes something like that. I'm doing this from memory so if my info is off others please correct me.

 

[Gabriel.Encarnacion]

So you think it wasn't the ignition switch that was the problem?
I put a lot into the car already lol
135 for a batter
250 for an alternator
157 for a starter
270 for a fuel pump
and another 150 for an ignition switch...

 

[SethB]

So you think it wasn't the ignition switch that was the problem?
I put a lot into the car already lol
135 for a batter
250 for an alternator
157 for a starter
270 for a fuel pump
and another 150 for an ignition switch...

From reading these threads, I have to agree with everyone's saying you need a new CIM. You shouldn't really just start throwing parts at the car either

There are a lot of finicky things with Saab's that cause very bizarre issues and unless a Saab tech(someone who knows Saab's) looks at it, you'll never "guess" what's wrong. A tech 2 is definitely a valuable investment.

Sent from my SM-G900P using Tapatalk

 

[Diggs]

You already replaced the ISM so that wasn't it. The old key worked before and the ISM doesn't need programming, so it has to be something else. my bet is the CIM. Your mechanic needs a tech2 with Saab software otherwise he is worthless to you.

 

[Immortal]

I too at the time started with cheapest parts first 1. Battery which was toast, 2 ism which was fine and 3. cim which was bad. Used can be fine, my virgin cim was $250 I believe plus $50 or $100 core. Borrowed a Tech 2 and did all the work myself learning as I went. Was a great learning experience as I had never known about any of this and spent hours on these forums reading. In the end not all that expensive however if you need someone to do the work it's going to add up pretty good.

 

[Diggs]

I too at the time started with cheapest parts first 1. Battery which was toast, 2 ism which was fine and 3. cim which was bad. Used can be fine, my virgin cim was $250 I believe plus $50 or $100 core. Borrowed a Tech 2 and did all the work myself learning as I went. Was a great learning experience as I had never known about any of this and spent hours on these forums reading. In the end not all that expensive however if you need someone to do the work it's going to add up pretty good.

Do you know what car the CIM came from? Did it have same part number as yours? Interested....

 

[Immortal]

Mine was an 05 so there was that can't go backwards year problem with a used cim. That is why I went with the virgin cim so I could verify it was going to work fine. I don't recall the part numbers however from what I gathered all they do is put in a blank chip just like getting a new cim from Saab back in the day. I spent so many hours on this problem that's why I am posting this info so it can help others save some anguish.

 

[Gabriel.Encarnacion]

Before with my old ISM the key would go into the lock but wouldn't turn, then after I had an even newer battery replaced, the key would turn all the way to on and start, but when I press the push start you'd hear the engine crank but never fully engage and it would display on the screen "Key not recognized, Contact Saab dealer" so I would need a new CIM? or just need to have the key programmed? When I bought the car there was one key that was cut already and originally worked with the push button to unlock and unlock the car, then I also had a spare key, which was not programmed to the car and not cut either.

 

[Diggs]

There may or may not have been an issue with the ISM prior. Water under the bridge. The ISM is not the problem. Nor does your key need to be programmed because if it worked before it is fine. It's most likely the CIM, but without a Tech2 to say "Yes the CIM is not communicating" we are just spit balling here. Should be plenty of mechanics to fix Saabs in NY. Goldwing Saab also sells tons of parts upstate.

You can either get a used CIM and find a mechanic with Tech2 to pair it to your car or pull your CIM and send it to lostsaabkeys (along with your good key and not working key) and they can fix it and pair the 2nd key so you have 2 working keys. Or buy a tech2 and do it all yourself.

 

[Diggs]

the key would turn all the way to on and start, but when I press the push start

We don't have push start buttons..... This is confusing.

 

[Gabriel.Encarnacion]

It works almost the same way, the push start button doesn't work unless you turn the key to "On", I wish I could post a picture but I do not know how

 

[Diggs]

It works almost the same way, the push start button doesn't work unless you turn the key to "On", I wish I could post a picture but I do not know how

Great. So someone modified the ignition system. Good luck with that.

Does it look something like this?

http://www.saabcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=373298