Introdução
I have a 2007 Saab 9-3 Aero petrol Automatic car. It has been a joy to own and ride, but recently it started to show warning messages:
"Steering lock Malfunction. Please come to a safe stop and call service" (or something like that)
On other occasions, the key would refuse to turn. Disconnecting the battery for a while would sometimes fix the issue, but this was clearly not a safe car to drive any longer.
Googling the issue revealed that there are two components involved in starting the car:
The ISM (Ignition Switch Module) is where the key is inserted.
The CIM (Column Integration Module) is located inside the steering wheel. It is the security centre and controls the central locking, ignition, immobilisation, steering lock etc.
Both of these could be the culprit. However, whereas the ISM _can_ be replaced by a layman (i.e. me!!), the CIM requires both special tools and the electronic equipment to be able to remove and replace, and pair up with a new set of keys.
So, equipped with a Haynes "Saab 9-3 Sept 2007 to 2011 Owners Workshop Manual", a set of star shaped screwdrivers, and a camera to record all the steps, as well as a pile of clear plastic bags to put the screws in and label them (they are all subtly different in size, thread and length), I set about to replace the ISM with a unit I bought on eBay. This involves removing the centre console to get to the ISM itself.
O que você precisa
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Our starting point: The center console with the ignition switch in the middle
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Step one is to remove the front side panels. There is a single (covered) screw in the footwell on each side that can be removed, and the panel slides rearwards, down and out.
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Next, locate the rear cover visible from the back seats, between the two front seats. Pull it sharply to the rear, and remove.
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The rear side panels in front of the rear cover are now easily accessible and can be removed.
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Next, remove the rubber mat in front of the gear lever.
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The (shiny) gear lever surround trim can now be prized off, starting at the rear, and removed.
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Removing the gear lever surround trim exposes a single screw holding a retaining frame underneath the gear change mechanism.
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Slide out horizontally the protective plastic cover underneath the hand brake.
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This exposes a single screw. Remove this.
OMG, is that what this is? That is a pretty useless invention… Mine (2008, manual) doesn’t have the slit.
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Underneath the air vent controlling air flow to the passengers from the center console sits a square duct.
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There are two cable bundles connected to the center console from the rest of the car. One is connected via a large, square plug with a red tab.
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Push a screwdriver inside the red tab and pull, and the connector splits neatly apart.
Would you happen to know which of those wires sends the voltage when cranked? I know the violet/yellow one provides voltage when key is turned to ‘on’. I’m trying to install a push button starts. Thanks!
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Remove two screws located in front of the gear lever.
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The next bit is a bit fiddly to get to: There are two screws going horizontally, one underneath the handbrake,
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The center console is now loose, and can be puller backwards and upwards, and removed from the car.
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Tip the centre console upside down and locate the ISM ignition switch.There are four spring clips holding it in place. Use a screwdriver to compress each clip in turn, whilst pushing the switch out of its socket.
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Connect the two cables. The earth connector is push-on, and the square plug self-locks when the red tab is pushed.
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Touch Wood, my car is now purring, with none of the issues I had before. Having heard quotes from around £1,000 upwards for a complete ISM / CIM refit, I am well pleased with the result.
I have not as yet got the replacement part but, I'm not saying that it'll be the easiest set of instructions to follow. It looks like it's not going to be the hardest either, thank you.
Just completed fitting ism … driving the car for a couple of days to make sure issues resolved before putting the rest of Humpty Dumpty back together again
thanks very much for posting this, was quite satisfying to do, saved a fortune
Cheers
David
Did you have any issues with Key not Recognized message ?? I’m having it but both keys previously worked
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To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.
To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.
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26 comentários
And the key worked once plugged in and the battery is reconnected?
Instructuctions spot on. In 1.5hrs I had the ISM out, cleaned and back in. And no more steering lock errors. !!!
Does anyone have advice on how to replace the ignition switch on a 1998 9.3 automatic transmission Saab
Most of these steps are not necessary at all, you can pull the ISM out from the side when you have removed the side panel, its tight but more than possible. This is very easy, 3h is a joke it takes 30 minutes at most!
My starting point was a Haynes manual. Not all the steps worked as described. The steps above will work. Three hours it took, and it didn’t feel like a joke. By the way, the Saab is still chugging along nicely (touch wood). Not missed a beat since the repair.
Glad you’ve found an easier way. For the rest of the mere mortals, me included, the above steps will work.
Any clue as to why after install of new switch the key won't turn?
Does it need coding into car or is it just plug and go
The steering wheel unit will need re-programming. However, the ignition switch that I replaced, listed above, needs no re-programming at all!
Great instructions. I also had the ‘steering lock malfunction’ warning message on my 2011 soft top 9-3. Fixed by replacing the ISM with a used item from eBay for £38. If only Haynes instructions were this good!
Très bon tutoriel changement en 1H30 .
Merci beaucoup Lars
vous êtes les bienvenus (Google translation from “you are welcome”) :-)
Thanks for this advice - it’s really well produced. However I can also vouch for the alternative method which just involves removing the side panels and carefully lowering the ISM out of the left hand side. In total the job took about 20-30 mins and the car is good as new now. I also removed the gear lever surround to give it a good clean. But still thank you as I did follow a few of your steps.
Thanks great photos and information is ism plug and play or needs re programming thanks Clive
Hi, Clive.
The ignition switch in the center console is plug and play. The unit that is wrapped around the steering wheel, however, needs re-programming. I was warned this would involve a 4 figure sum of money, so I was happy my £120 key switch gamble replacement did the trick. And the Saab is still running. With the key switch working flawlessly…
Thanks for the tips. I solved the same problem at the service station. But I installed the timing light for MSD ignition myself using your instructions.
Do i need to code/program it after replacement? What about keys, do they need to be coded again?
Just read your instructions and followed them to the letter , many thanks
Hello, do you know if a Tech2 reprogrammation is needed once ISM has been changed? Is it part of security components of the car?
and is OBD fault “B3057 ox48” linked to ISM module issue?
Hi.
As I said in my tutorial, replacing the key module does not require any re-programming. If you replace the full security module around the steering wheel, it will need all re-programming…
Thanks,
Lars Erlandsen.
The NIST frameworks were designed as flexible, voluntary frameworks. The fact that they are flexible makes it relatively easy to implement them in conjunction with ISO 27001.
This is largely due to both standards having a number of common principles, including; requiring senior management support, a continual improvement process, and a risk-based approach.
The NIST frameworks were designed as flexible, voluntary frameworks. The fact that they are flexible makes it relatively easy to implement them in conjunction with ISO 27001.
I have a question. What issues were you having that made you replace it. I’m getting the steering wheel lock message and sometimes the car won’t start. I have to take the key out and put it back in and try again to start it. Also I don’t hear the steering wheel unit unlocking everytime like it used too. It says steering wheel locked but it’s not actually physically locked. I’m hoping it just needs a new ism.
For reference, this is exactly the scenario that I faced, and that made me replace the unit in the first place (and write the tutorial).
I cant turn the key in my ignotion [2006 9-3 auto wagon runs sweet as a bell] . when I put the key in the ignotion the needles on the instrument panel dance/vibrate? ! Its liek the key has forgotten it belongs to the car Again. [this happened a few weeks ago, but it was with my mechanic and he simply re-programmed the key]. Do I need to go throiugh the busdiness of changing the ISM?
If this is bad does the clocking ignition switch have to be replace with it as well. My 2003 SAAB is not starting and the lights and gauges stopped working and were flashing. It also would not shift..Is this really caused from the ISM?
Shondel Begley - Responder