[OregonSaab900s]

So I’ve been working on this 9-3 that was in the middle of a head gasket repair. Head was put back on but the timing chain was not set. I set the chain to what I’m 99% sure is correct. Installed the valve cover with a new gasket and put the exhaust manifold back on the car which I explained in a post a few days ago. I have read up on the no start issues but I want to clarify some things for my situation. Car is a 1999 9-3 automatic.
1.) engine is not seized since I rotated it with the crank pulley
2.) all lights and interior electronics work
3.) battery is good and I tried starting with jumper cables just in case
4.) the car will not move out of part without pressing down the neutral button
5.) the key can turn in the cylinder and in the start position a relay clicks at the footwell
6.) the digital display is bad but I can make out the words key not recognized or something like that

So for these reasons I want to ask is this signs of the neutral safety switch being bad? I also read some comments on others posts that the starter could very well have a burnt up wire or just be bad. The car is at 152k miles and maybe it’s the starter. Anyway, if anyone can point me in a better direction I would give anything a shot.

Thanks,

Chase

 

[jvanabra]

You could jump the stater relay and find out which side it the problem is.

 

[AUSSIE900]

You could jump the stater relay and find out which side it the problem is.

Have you removed the cover off the ignition key at all ? ( eg to remove the console ? )

 

[Mimmi]

SID shows "Key not accepted".
So you need to have key with IMMO chip which is married to TWICE.
Have you tried with another key?
Have you double checked that IMMO ring is intact and connected?
I have met Saab which owner changed ignition switch (DIY) and mixed IMMO ring and central locking button connectors. Result: "Key not accepted" and cranking only.
IMMO ring connector have BK, GY/RD and OG/BK wires.

 

[jvanabra]

Ohhhhhh..... that's what that SID message is!

 

[OregonSaab900s]

SID shows "Key not accepted".
So you need to have key with IMMO chip which is married to TWICE.
Have you tried with another key?
Have you double checked that IMMO ring is intact and connected?
I have met Saab which owner changed ignition switch (DIY) and mixed IMMO ring and central locking button connectors. Result: "Key not accepted" and cranking only.
IMMO ring connector have BK, GY/RD and OG/BK wires.

SID shows "Key not accepted".
So you need to have key with IMMO chip which is married to TWICE.
Have you tried with another key?
Have you double checked that IMMO ring is intact and connected?
I have met Saab which owner changed ignition switch (DIY) and mixed IMMO ring and central locking button connectors. Result: "Key not accepted" and cranking only.
IMMO ring connector have BK, GY/RD and OG/BK wires.

Ok, I have done some research on your reply. There is only one key that came with it when I bought the car. Now after reading more into this cars security system I am a bit annoyed how I cant just make a jumper wire from the TWICE unit to the ecu or something and bypass it. So where I am at now...
1.) Starter has 12v going to it, and when touching a screw driver across it the starter spins.
2.) Starter only spins and does not engage the engine and make the engine crank
3.) There is only one key with the car and the fob unlocks the doors but apparently that does not matter from what I have researched.
4.) I also want to re mention the car doesn't move out of park unless the release button is pushed in with the key turned in the cylinder. The key is not brand new I can see it has some wear to it. But this leads me to think the key could be the problem as well.

I haven't checked the wiring issue you mentioned yet but the car doesn't crank at all when the key is turned? is there anything else I should check? How does the key transmit a signal to the TWICE unit? I doubt that the key I have is the one not for the car. Thanks for your direction Mimmi and jvanabra.

-Chase

 

[BobSaabit]

What year is your car? 1999 / T5 can be hard bypassed.

The remote can be used to bypass "Key not accepted". Turn the car to "on". Press the unlock button on the remote. Try to start the car.

 

[OregonSaab900s]

What year is your car? 1999 / T5 can be hard bypassed.

The remote can be used to bypass "Key not accepted". Turn the car to "on". Press the unlock button on the remote. Try to start the car.

yes its 1999 T5 automatic. I just went out to try this and it worked! wow exciting. But the car did not start and I had to use that method for the two times I tried it. Okay so what does this mean? Is the TWICE unit what's bad? Thank you for your help!

 

[Mimmi]

You key do not have IMMO chip. Remote do not contain it and you can not add it afterwards.
You NEED new TWICE and paired key (IMMO chip) and TECH2. There is no bypass route.

 

[OregonSaab900s]

You key do not have IMMO chip. Remote do not contain it and you can not add it afterwards.
You NEED new TWICE and paired key (IMMO chip) and TECH2. There is no bypass route.

Okay Mimmi. I have found this system for sale. I would have to get it TECH2 reprogrammed yes? I guess ill have to hunt someone down that can do that...

 

[BobSaabit]

Oregon: That's what too much stuff and work!

Two options:

1) Best electronic swap route is to buy a (only) used TWICE with an ALL-in-1 key. Then you order a new ALL-in-1 key cut to match your car by VIN. You swap the electronic module from the old key to new key, install (replace) the TWICE under the driver's seat. Since you have a T5, there's no matching to be done... just swap and go. You get to keep your keys without swapping the door lock (you really don't want to do that job).

Unfortunately, I don't see anyone selling one from an OG 9-3 for a reasonable price. They should be $150 or less with the ALL-In-1 key.

BUT, here's one from a 9-5 which is the same thing except that you need to swap the electronics into the 9-5 box. Ebay: Saab 9-5 TWICE control module w/ 1 Key and lock cylinder 52 62 761 02-05 9-5 | eBay .

2) You can Bypass the TWICE in a '99. See this thread, post #2. Need help 1999 Saab 9-3 twice swap lost all keys . There are said to be some side-effects from that, notably the OBDII port won't work. My knowledge doesn't cover that area.

Wait for Mimmi's or someone else's comments on the immobilizer... but I don't think you will need to use a Tech II with either of these scenarios even if the immobilizer is set. However, he knows better than me.

 

[BobSaabit]

FYI - First chance you have you should get a second key programmed to avoid another need for a TWICE swap. Exactly how you do that depends on what route you follow above... and what key(s) you end up with. It will involve a Tech II. FWIW, you can buy a Chinese clone Tech II for $300... it's a nice tool for a Saaber to have. Might save you money even now as you won't need to get the car towed to a guy with a Tech II if you end up needing one.

 

[OregonSaab900s]

Oregon: That's what too much stuff and work!

Two options:

1) Best electronic swap route is to buy a (only) used TWICE with an ALL-in-1 key. Then you order a new ALL-in-1 key cut to match your car by VIN. You swap the electronic module from the old key to new key, install (replace) the TWICE under the driver's seat. Since you have a T5, there's no matching to be done... just swap and go. You get to keep your keys without swapping the door lock (you really don't want to do that job).

Unfortunately, I don't see anyone selling one from an OG 9-3 for a reasonable price. They should be $150 or less with the ALL-In-1 key.

BUT, here's one from a 9-5 which is the same thing except that you need to swap the electronics into the 9-5 box. Ebay: Saab 9-5 TWICE control module w/ 1 Key and lock cylinder 52 62 761 02-05 9-5 | eBay .

2) You can Bypass the TWICE in a '99. See this thread, post #2. Need help 1999 Saab 9-3 twice swap lost all keys . There are said to be some side-effects from that, notably the OBDII port won't work. My knowledge doesn't cover that area.

Wait for Mimmi's or someone else's comments on the immobilizer... but I don't think you will need to use a Tech II with either of these scenarios even if the immobilizer is set. However, he knows better than me.

Hey,

Ok thank you makes sense, all in one key seems more convenient as well. I don’t want to lose the OBD port so I decided doing some bypass isn’t the best option. But what do you mean by swapping the electronics into the 9-5 box? Is there something in my current twice that I’d need to put in?
Also I was thinking about getting the Chinese tech2 but I might know someone that has one.

 

[Mimmi]

OG 9-5 and OG 9-3 have same TWICE PCB, only difference is plastic box. You can swap it easy.

You can not use your current TWICE at all. TWICE is locked and it will NOT answer any commands W/O paired IMMO chip present in ignition lock.

I also highly recommend you get another key and marry it to your car. This second key prevents this episode.

 

[BobSaabit]

To swap, you just

But what do you mean by swapping the electronics into the 9-5 box? Is there something in my current twice that I’d need to put in?
Also I was thinking about getting the Chinese tech2 but I might know someone that has one.

You open the plastc boxes the TWICE units are in. Remove the circuit boards from inside the boxes. Put the one from the 9-5 box into your 9-3 box. Reinstall in car. That's it.

 

[OregonSaab900s]

OG 9-5 and OG 9-3 have same TWICE PCB, only difference is plastic box. You can swap it easy.

You can not use your current TWICE at all. TWICE is locked and it will NOT answer any commands W/O paired IMMO chip present in ignition lock.

I also highly recommend you get another key and marry it to your car. This second key prevents this episode.

To swap, you just


You open the plastc boxes the TWICE units are in. Remove the circuit boards from inside the boxes. Put the one from the 9-5 box into your 9-3 box. Reinstall in car. That's it.

Thanks I'll be ordering that one you linked since I couldn't find any better ones from my searches either, it also guarantees it works so that's good. I appreciate your help!

 

[BobSaabit]

VIN cut keys are best sourced from esaabparts.com in the USA. Matt is the man... and if there are any fit issues he will take care of you.

 

[OregonSaab900s]

Edit*A few questions*

So I have one last question... I am confused on how the key and transponder I had didn't match the car yet when I did the bypass by pressing the unlock button a signal went through? So how does the TWICE not recognize the key but the fob can unlock the doors? Is the fob transponder not connected to the TWICE but to a door unlock module and that is what bypassed the TWICE to let the car crank but not start up since TWICE needs to be working for the car to start? Also, If I were to take this fob to a local tech 2 programmer could he switch the fob from the old TWICE unit and put it on this new unit from the 9-5? Or is it once the key is programmed that is end of story? Because as it looks right now im looking at at least $80 for a key and transponder from esaabparts and then local shops charge $125 to program a key. I know Mimmi said my key doesn't contain an IMMO chip and I "NEED" a new twice but the fob that unlocks the doors is labeled as a transponder on esaabparts? So my thinking is lowest cost but kinda smarter thing is keep an extra transponder and not a physical key. I guess $80 and better convenience isn't bad but I got the car for $100 so it hurts when the keys are more expensive than the car lol.

 

[Mimmi]

IMMO chip is separate part which (was) in your key. Remote is separate part and it will not hold IMMO chip. When you have paired remote, you can temporally by-pass IMMO.

Disclaimer: When you remote runs out of battery, you CAN NOT by-pass IMMO any more. You also can not add remote because you do not have IMMO chip in ignition lock.

 

[OregonSaab900s]

IMMO chip is separate part which (was) in your key. Remote is separate part and it will not hold IMMO chip. When you have paired remote, you can temporally by-pass IMMO.

Disclaimer: When you remote runs out of battery, you CAN NOT by-pass IMMO any more. You also can not add remote because you do not have IMMO chip in ignition lock.

So you’re saying there used to be another chip in here?