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Ugh. Last night I went out and lost the only copy of the key to my car. No idea what to do. I looked online and apparently a new car key costs upwards of 1k? My car is old and beat up and I'm pretty sure my car isn't even work that much money. Do I have any options here? Apparently the key costs so much because they have to put some chip into it? Is that chip a necessity? Like, is it just for the alarm and stuff, or is it required to make it start? If I were to just get a key cut with no chip, would that work and possibly be a lot cheaper? Not really sure what to do here.
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| # ? Mar 15, 2013 05:20 |
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| # ? May 24, 2013 05:13 |
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You need the transponder; the starter will not get power without it. You should be able to get a transponder chip and get it programmed for under 100$. For 1,000$ you could probably buy the programmer yourself and flash other peoples keys. If the dealer's really quoting you that much call around to all of the mechanics in the area and try to find one with a programmer or if they know someone who has one. Edit: If you find someone who will work with used transponders you could buy a used key fob from Ebay for like 30$ and then change out the key part. This seems to be some good information on how to get a dealer to reprogram a used key that's not from your car without forcing you to buy a new one: http://www.saabcentral.com/forums/s...ad.php?t=122136 craig588 fucked around with this message at Mar 15, 2013 around 05:55 |
| # ? Mar 15, 2013 05:39 |
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On the other hand, to just unlock the doors and such, a mechanical copy of the key should do fine, I'd wager.
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| # ? Mar 15, 2013 05:41 |
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craig588 posted:You need the transponder; the starter will not get power without it. You should be able to get a transponder chip and get it programmed for under 100$. For 1,000$ you could probably buy the programmer yourself and flash other peoples keys. If the dealer's really quoting you that much call around to all of the mechanics in the area and try to find one with a programmer or if they know someone who has one. I just called up a dealer who quoted me 1.5k. I asked him if I could just get a used key and have them program that instead and he flat out said 'no'. Is that bullshit. Also, in my reading, people have been saying the scenario is different if your alarm is armed vs if it isn't. The alarm in my car hasn't worked for like, a year and isn't set right now. Does that change things at all?
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| # ? Mar 15, 2013 13:24 |
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craig588 posted:You should be able to get a transponder chip and get it programmed for under 100$. I think you're assuming the OP still has one of the original keys - I've never seen it that cheap when there's not an existing key to clone. OP is likely going to need to find someone with a GM Tech 2 tool - though that could be any GM dealer, and could even be a good independent shop. Some locksmiths will also have everything they need to program a new key in. $1500 is way, way out of line though - you're only looking at a couple of hours of labor, plus a key blank. idontcare, call around to the various GM dealers in your area and see if they'd be willing to tackle it; they have the Tech 2 tool if they're a GM dealer, and they can look up the key pattern from your VIN (you may need to supply key blanks, but they're easily available online).
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| # ? Mar 15, 2013 13:32 |
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The dealer is probably getting the OP's car confused with a 2003+ 9-3, they actually do cost $1500 if you have no key to clone.
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| # ? Mar 15, 2013 13:55 |
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Astropika nailed it. You should be able to just order a new key and have it programmed, but it still will not be cheap. You never want to lose all of your keys.
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| # ? Mar 15, 2013 15:45 |
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West SAAB Story posted:Astropika nailed it. You should be able to just order a new key and have it programmed, but it still will not be cheap. By 'not cheap', we are still talking ~1k, right? If that's the case, I might just buy a new car. My car is old and it's on it's way out(need breaks, it's burning oil, there is a huge, ugly patched-up hole in the top where someone cut it open and broke in, over 150k miles) and not worth much. I've been thinking about buying a new one anyway.
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| # ? Mar 15, 2013 16:34 |
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idontcare posted:By 'not cheap', we are still talking ~1k, right? That really depends on how competent your local folks are. You can order a reflashed TWICE unit with keys/etc for $600. You'll need to have someone with WIS access (SAAB dealer) look up your keycode. Many indies will do this for beer/free. It's a pretty simple job to do.
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| # ? Mar 15, 2013 16:40 |
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Nobody out there in the Saab tuner world has cracked the ECU on these to strip this crap out? Seems insane to junk a car because the key is missing.
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| # ? Mar 15, 2013 19:54 |
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Mighty Horse posted:Nobody out there in the Saab tuner world has cracked the ECU on these to strip this crap out? The fact that you need access to IRIS, WIS, and a Tech2 tends to make the target demographic even lower. None of the above are especially cheap. I'd take his 'junker' if I had a way to get it here. I can't drive with the medication I'm on, or I'd rent a dolly (and a truck), and even give him $100 for it with title. I need to replace my 95. 
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| # ? Mar 15, 2013 19:56 |
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We use High Tech Locksmiths at work for this kind of stuff. They can make keys for most anything. Most of their techs don't mind doing this kind of stuff, except for on newer Nissans. Then they will say lots of profane words while trying to program the new keys, and charge you for every one that comes out of their mouth. Also, don't ask me where I work. Apparently I can get fired for mentioning them online 
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| # ? Mar 16, 2013 01:46 |
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It's trivial to cut the laser etched keys, but getting the transponder to work isn't possible by most locksmiths.
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| # ? Mar 16, 2013 01:49 |
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It's been covered what to do, but this happened to me with a '99 Saab 93. (DISCLAIMER: this won't fix your problem, entertainment only) I went to the junkyard with a friend, when I got back I realized my key was gone - just the Saab key. I looked it up and yes, it's a dick to get a new one. I went back with my girlfriend and friend about a week later. I started searching by where I was working with my friend, and she wondered off in some random direction. I even told her that I wasn't over there, but whatever. She found it, just laying in the rocks. I have no idea how, but she had the drat thing in less than 10 minutes. I was staring at her dumbfounded and all she said was "Can we go now?" So my advice is really search for that key, I mean it has to be SOMEWHERE (unless you threw it into a river or something) - retrace your steps and take people with you if you can. Ask places of business near by if they have a lost and found. I dread loosing my key now, I am mega paranoid about it and always put it in a pocket with a button or zipper. Just another of the "not so good" things about an older Saab.
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| # ? Mar 16, 2013 01:59 |
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My Passat's key detached itself from the carabiner while I was out driving my aircooled, I couldn't find the sucker after spending an entire day re-tracing my steps and following up with the places I'd visited. A locksmith quoted $200 to cut a new key from the lock, and the VW dealer wanted even more to cut one from the code on the ignition tumbler. I found someone on the VW forums parting out his Passat, and $40 later I was installing his door handles and ignition tumbler into my car. I still need to go out and get a spare made for my new key before it bites me in the rear end..  There has got to be someone out there in the process of junking one of these, (other than you, OP) it wouldn't hurt to see how much you could grab an ECU, ignition tumbler and door locks for. (and any other associated voodoo transponder electronics)
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| # ? Mar 16, 2013 17:32 |
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West SAAB Story posted:It's trivial to cut the laser etched keys, but getting the transponder to work isn't possible by most locksmiths. That's the wonderful thing about these guys. They have all OEM level programmers on their trucks and can program /reset anything except for the newest Mercedes/BMW's and some weird British Voodoo. And I'm sure they will get caught up with them with time. Really, you should see if there is one near you and call for a quote. http://hightechlocksmiths.com/
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| # ? Mar 17, 2013 15:56 |
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| # ? May 24, 2013 05:13 |
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Technically, Phoenix is closer than Vegas. Afraid I won't be making that trek anytime soon, though.
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| # ? Mar 17, 2013 16:37 |
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