2003 9-5 without keys

[roblistens]

hello All! Yes... there's a story here. My most recent Saab was found at our provincial insurance auction last week, sold without keys. (Mind you, the previous owner could have been obliged to provide a key BEFORE their insurance claim was paid out. I think that would be called "due diligence.") It's a 2003 9-5.... in need of all the usual front-end parts that come with an in-town winter collision. Those parts are findable. Even if it requires finding a complete parts car. But my question for the moment is: if I were to transfer the Complete ignition from the parts car (TWICE, key tumbler and functioning key) to my repairable car, will the key still need to be programmed?

Such a parts car is close at hand. Seized motor. (But started fine before that!) I realize I may need to transfer the whole gear selector assembly from the parts car, since I may not be able to get the tumbler out of the original gear gear selector assembly (in the car I'm wanting to fix.) But maybe there's an easier path to take here??

Will be grateful for your thoughts! rob

[markg9]

Via the serial number you can call a Saab dealer in your area to obtain the key code. With that you can call Roger at Clearcom technologies. He can cut you a key and provide you with a re-virginzed TWICE with a new transponder. It will have to be programmed to the car and also if you use a used TWICE with matching transponder - same deal, needs programming. There is no need to wreck a good ignition lock when keys can be cut. The only way to get a lock out of a car without being able to turn it to the release position is to break it.

Mark

[roblistens]

Mark! Glad for your reply! Maybe should have waited a day before taking a next step.... but have gone ahead and ordered a cut key (with no transponder) from Kendricks in north carolina. I really like dealing with small places, so would have been glad to have contacted Clearcom, had I known of their existence. And yes, there's no need to break the housing, just to get the tumbler out. Hence the ordering of the transmitter-less key. (An original key may yet show up... and then I'll be able to build and programme this soon-to-arrive key... and have two keys.)

The guy I spoke with at Kendrick's thinks I'm going to have trouble "divorcing" the TWICE module from my donor parts car. Is a Tech 2 going to be needed to do that properly? (On that note: four of us here in Winnipeg are now meaning to purchase our own Tech 2.... we've been scouting the 'Net for ones offered..... and have made a decision to shy away from the clone versions of same. I'm sure this forum has discussed this issue many times before! All the same, would be glad for thoughts on the subject!

rob

[markg9]

You don't need to divorce the used TWICE with matching transponder. I have a clone as a backup to my legit Tech2. So far, after two years, it has worked just as my factory tool. You don't need security access to program the used TWICE on 9-5's, just the 9440 series 9-3's. So if you have a Tech2 with Saab software you can do your job.

[roblistens]

very helpful response, Mark. I take it you are a full-fledged technician yourself... so your experience is instructive. Maybe the four of us here should re-consider the extra five or more hundred dollars an authentic Tech 2 may cost?? It may be three weeks (or more!) before all the pieces are in place, but when they are, I may need to come back to this forum for some further thoughts (if the car won't start, that is!). Thanks so much....

[markg9]

I have been a Saab specialist for over 30 years and own an independent shop here in Edmonton. Last time I checked to buy a legit Tech2 was around 2300.00 dollars CDN. Then you'd still need a Candi box if any of the people you want to share have CAN cars...2006 and newer for 9-5's and all 9-3's starting in 2003 with the exception of the 9-3 CNV in 2003

[Finding41]

Hang on! You can get the lock tumbler out! EDIT: Only if you have a key that turns the ignition. It must be in the off position to be able to lift out. I've done it on my 04. The 04 is the same key 4 groove and tumbler idea. $503 at my local London Ont. dealer for 1 key!
I keyed my 04 to flat screwdriver. IE I took all the tumblers out!
You can get a new key cut from thesaabsite.com cheap and find a used key of the same vintage (9-3 or 9-5 I think use the same transponder) and have it programmed. You can also get a TWICE with a transponder chip that needs to be programmed from places like Ebay. Some of them will come with a whole key and the tumbler.
Search the 9-5 mods section here and on saabcentral.com for instructions. (The WIS is here.)
If you take your tumbler apart to get the dogs out be careful! Everything in there is spring loaded!

[roblistens]

hello friend.... Yes, the tumbler can be pulled... but only with a key inserted into it, as far as I know. I have, on one occasion, taken a spare, complete shift assembly that was already out of the car, made judicious use of an angle grinder..... and wrested the tumbler from the housing. Without a key. But this time I'd like to get the tumbler out while still leaving the assembly IN the car. Hence the need for a key. (Which I've ordered from Hendrick's in North Carolina.) I just recently pulled a key, tumbler and TWICE from a 2001 9-3 at the wreckers. Shall try installing all of that in this 2003 9-5.... and see if ignition occurs! (Without any need for a Tech 2.) Apparently the odds are against me on that score.... if the new key and TWICE suppliers are to be believed!

[Finding41]

My apology's! I forgot the key had to be in and it turned to the off position. (There were may head R&R's since I keyed it.)
I'll edit my previous post.

[J Frank Parnell]

You should contact these guys: Lost Saab Keys They will reprogram your TWICE module and get you two keys for a really good price. I have also ordered single keys from them that were cut for my car. I then had the dealer reprogram the new key for my car, with my existing key. The problem is that you always have to start with one key that is programmed for the car and sync the new key with the old key and the TWICE module. If you have one key already, bring that in as well when you have to resync to the TWICE module. That is why you should always have two keys, so that if you loose one you are not starting from ground zero. If both keys are gone, you need to reinitialize the TWICE module to the new keys.