Detailed SAAB (ISM) Ignition Switch Module Replacement & Upgrade

In this video I show exactly how to replace your 2003-2012 SAAB 9-3 Ignition Switch Module (ISM) with no special tools! During the process I decided to upgrade to a 1yr only option light up version ISM. Be sure to like, share and subscribe!
More info on my 3D printed cupholder: • The Coolest 3D Printed...
OEM Part number for ISM installed in video: 12786386
Video on how to add LED's to your current ISM to get it to light up: • Episode 37 - 9-3 ISM L...
Forum thread on how to convert your non-led ISM into a lighted version: www.saabcentral.com/threads/i...
Instagram @ weakest of weeks: / weakestofweeks
Feel free to contact me at: [e-mail]

[@rezaq1]

Absolutely brilliant guide, thank you. I am replacing my ISM tomorrow.

[@danasampson818]

Your video was very helpful. I watched your video for removal of the ISM, and another KZbin video to repair it. So satisfying for the repair to work!

[@johnbatcheller258]

You saved me $$$$ by doing it myself. I removed my ISM and opened it to clean the inside connectors, and hopefully stop the dreaded "Steering Lock Malfunction" message that would randomly appear while driving.

[@rhoddin]

Love your enthusiasm. Thanks for another great vid!

[@abellargo7668]

Great video, thank you for putting out great SAAB content

[@Jonathan-qe8vf]

Saw this video and decided I wanted this. Just soldered the resistors and LEDs onto my ISM tonight and it’s working well and looking very good! 👍🏻

[@MangoF3TT]

Very nice video! One note though, the shifter trim has two tabs in front that hook on plastic of central console. In my opinion it's better to make sure they fit in the right place, and then when shifter trim is installed you can install the rubber mat.

[@theboraxkid6710]

Thanks for the tutorial. Im going to tackle this job myself. I have a 2003 so I already had the lights. I didn't know that was a 1 year only option

[@johnWilliams-lz6bx]

Excellent instructions.

[@d4ve587]

Illuminating vid 💪

[@WeakestofWeeks]

Haha love it!

[@doug900S]

Yes, Gary, that center storage is a great catch-all! LOL!

[@AseDestiny]

Bro thanks a lot 💙 so cool 😎

[@philliparthur8672]

I would like to see it taken apart and cleaned

[@JOHANFAGERSTA]

Hi ! I have lost sound för blinkers, no belt, backsensor. When I flash highbeam it start working again. Always the same as soon I take out the key for a few minuts or moore. Can it be faulty amp 1 under driverseat ? Johan, Sweden.

[@sigmamale7241]

Have you done a video on how to disassemble the ISM?

[@Delta_project05]

I got an 05 aero 3 weeks ago and initially I got the wonderful steering lock malfunction the day after I bought it, thankfully its been like 2 weeks since I've seen it pop up so maybe it fixed itself? It didnt show up on a tech 2 scan as being busted so I have no idea what's going on

[@rhoddin]

Are these available new? I hate to go through the trouble just to have a used one fail shortly after.

[@UberDapr]

Welp. This is how you earn a subscriber.

[@noragossiaux3008]

My problem was the switch locked up. Used this video to remove ism (very helpful). After cleaning, key would rotate with a stick holding back the spring loaded anti-theft interlock plunger, but not when reconnected to the wiring in the car. Can I grind out the plunger so it can’t engage & prevent the key from turning? If the only thing that I would lose the anti-theft feature?

[@bemad7886]

After I did this my 6speed manual SS wont start anymore. No security system was tripped either. Any idea as to what could be causing to no crank no start, I'm stumped?

[@JaymeJamms]

@weakestofweeks in doing this repair the console cracked and required replacing. There is an additional connector. Where does that go?

[@Arivy31]

Would you have to unplug the battery first?

[@tommilana4218]

is there a clean and disassemble video

[@berol8629]

I own the illuminated ISM for 15$ last year :D Edit: Also i fixed the famous "steering lock malfunction", I was cleaning my previous ISM about 2 times, but fault always is back. My car is MY08, but old ISM was produced in 2014 - little curiosity :) Summarizing, 11 years older ISM is better xD

[@WeakestofWeeks]

Dang $15! What a steal that was!!

[@IMAWARRIOR89]

a lot of people misread the date on the ISM. My US spec 08 Aero ISM was made in 07 09 19 (Sept 19, 2007). My coil packs also have a similar date so I know they were never changed.

[@IMAWARRIOR89]

@@WeakestofWeeks i paid $95 for mine :(

[@tonyclayton2876]

I have the same car I've lost the key can I order a new ignition key and is that all I have to change is just the conditioning key

[@bully6877]

Mine worked but then the leds now don't illuminate. Any ideas please

[@ralphwalker1505]

Great video thank you. When I came to lif the console, I got caught by the 'extra two screws at the side in some models'. These are a p in the a to remove and replace and I did lose one down inside the console somewhere. Manual 9-3 convertible 2005.

[@jezj424]

Having the same problem. could you tell me where these screws are please, are they underneath the console?

[@valters45]

Hi. Just wondering, do you put in new ISM and it works? Just any that is the same one? No programming for keys or imo needed?

[@WeakestofWeeks]

No programming needed when installing a new ISM in a NG9-3. The key is actually linked to the CIM behind the steering wheel, so swapping the ISM doesn't affect the key. As for years, any NG9-3 (2003+) ISM should work across the various years. In this particular video I put a 2003 ISM into my 2008 9-3.

[@AutoAutopsy]

Ah yes, the 2003 ISM. Very lucky that my Arc has it! It’s sad that my TX doesn’t 🤦🏻‍♂️ one of those weird and cool 03 features that was only on that model year!

[@WeakestofWeeks]

Such a simple upgrade that in my opinion makes a big difference. Totally worth it if you can find an 03 ISM for a decent price!

[@tiwa1280]

the circuit boards are the same on 03 and newer but no led lights just to solder there led lamps and resistor diy jobs they changed factory from germany to spain and reduced the cost of ism

[@54player54]

You don't need the 2003 ISM. The transistors and positions of the leds are still in the 2004-2012 ISM. They just got no leds. So just disamlbe yours and buy green smd leds like I did and solder them in.

[@xXFuZeSnipeZzXx]

@@54player54 Hey, I have a spare ISM from my old car so I want to try this. I am pretty handy, but when it comes to electronics I am useless. Is it an easy job to put leds in?

[@54player54]

@@xXFuZeSnipeZzXx it's easy... You can see the position where the leds have to get solderd in. Your soldering iron should be precise but bysides that it's not that hard 😊

[@megganjohnson9421]

Hi! Thanks for the video. Did you have to get new keys for the new ISM?

[@WeakestofWeeks]

Nope, you do not need new keys! Keys are paired to the Column Integrated Module (CIM) behind the steering wheel. So changing the ISM doesn't mess with key programming but a dirty ISM will.

[@AndrewJB]

Tried to do this today, located the correct part number, swapping it allover took about 15 minutes max was well happy, but then disaster, put they key in and "key not accepted" followed by "steering lock maulfunction". So had to put the OEM one back in for now. 2007 car.

[@WeakestofWeeks]

Thats a bummer! Sounds like the one you put in need a good cleaning.

[@philliparthur8672]

Nice video. I was wondering if you had any saab floor mats available? If so how much would you want I live about an hour away from Columbus

[@WeakestofWeeks]

Hey Phillip, sorry but I don't have any Saab floormats available at this time. If you do find them for sale I can say they're worth it! The rubber mats in my daily Aero are great.

[@philliparthur8672]

@@WeakestofWeeks Hey thanks for the reply I've been looking out for floor mats and ice block tail lights for a while at the yards.

[@granite345rt6]

Do u need a tech 2 or any other scan tool to program it

[@WeakestofWeeks]

Nope you do not need a tech 2 since the key info is stored in the CIM behind the steering wheel.

[@hobbyavenue6740]

I have to replace or clean mine. Do I need to reprogram after with a tech 2 ?

[@WeakestofWeeks]

No programming required for the ISM

[@felixramirez8419]

Does the fob need to be reprogram by exchanging the ism module ?

[@WeakestofWeeks]

Nope. No programming needed when changing ISM's. Keys are programmed to CIM behind the steering wheel

[@joseyournortheastdriverech7017]

Where did you get the smart slot cup holder from

[@WeakestofWeeks]

MN Proto store.mnproto.com/product/smart-slot-cup-holder-insert/

[@connieflores2667]

Yes I would like to know how to rebuild the ism

[@MartinRodriguez-vw4vl]

Me too

[@saabstory5281]

Steering lock malfunction.Hello from Greece.i did the same thing and i have this message.then i tried the old ism and says key not accepted.any advice please?

[@WeakestofWeeks]

Steering lock malfunction may be a sign your CIM is going bad. I would unplug the vehicles battery and let sit for 10 mins. Then plug battery back up and see what happens. If nothing changes, then test battery to make sure it is in good shape. Electronics sometimes act funny when they don't have enough voltage. Not a bad idea to clean your ISM as well. Worst case you may need to replace your CIM with a matching key if the problem persists.

[@saabstory5281]

@@WeakestofWeeks hello i had no problems with my cim car is like knew only 22.000 km. Bought one ism like you did actually i saw it from you and liked the idea to have it.so i did all you said but .. i don't know.knew battery today very powerful same answer.my genuine switch is like yours ends 10 if i plug this one says key not accepted

[@AndrewJB]

I had the same issue, 2007 car working fine, fitted 2003 ISM and got message key not accepted, put the old ISM back in and it works fine.

[@reginaaguilar9435]

Hello Gerry, maybe this is a silly question? an ignition switch module is an ignition control module?

[@WeakestofWeeks]

Basically yes. I think they call it the Ignition Switch Module (ISM) because the other acronym is already taken for the Infotainment Control Module (ICM) aka the radio.

[@barbaramiller9640]

where can I buy the SAAB cup holder?

[@WeakestofWeeks]

store.mnproto.com/product/smart-slot-cup-holder-insert/

[@saabstory5281]

Hello again .when i saw your video i bought the same ism as you. Just plug and key not accepted when i put my genuine ism

[@AseDestiny]

Yeah it didnt work for me neither, cant turn the key 🔑. How did you solve your problem?

[@saabstory5281]

@@AseDestiny hello.i bought a new one ,i prayed to god.. and worked perfect

[@AseDestiny]

Well praying to God is always good but first i need to get a new ism i guess 😁 i payed like 80€ for it so i hope they will return it now 😂

[@DenwoodOfficial]

hahaha... did you get that keychain from the Midway, by chance? I've got a saab and that exact keychain. 😂😂 anyway... thanks for the vids.. super helpful.

[@WeakestofWeeks]

Pretty sure I got it off ebay years ago lol

[@johnblair3267]

did this key will still not turn, dont know what to do now

[@WeakestofWeeks]

Did the key turn before the ISM change? Sounds like you may have a dead vehicle battery, dead key fob battery or possibly a CIM issue.

[@AseDestiny]

Not working for me neither and switching between the old one n the new one. The old one - key turns on the old one but not on the new one

[@robertstone5838]

Hello my name is Bob having trouble with no power to exnition key won't turn and light don't come on when key is inserted in exnition

[@agresorxf]

Insane detailed tutorial. Epic job like always but I suggest to take care about Your car a bit more. Mate its a big mess there all around, its not shitty bmw , clean it up a bit :)

[@WeakestofWeeks]

Thanks friend! And for sure my poor car needs a detail sooo bad! Haha

[@Whit_Siever]

Are you absolutely 9,000,000% sure this switch is plug and play and no additional Tech II programming required?

[@WeakestofWeeks]

ISM replacement doesn't require tech2 programming due to the keys being linked to the CIM. You're good to just swap them.

[@j.r.8099]

Wek

[@user-fj6lc7fp1i]

привет! из России молодец !!!

[@WeakestofWeeks]

Thank you!

[@gordondolan6443]

I appreciate these videos but too much waffle. 4 minutes in and I've learnt actually nothing