9-3 (2003-2006)

Installation

The BT Changer must be connected to the car using the supplied cable harness, there is no need to solder or cut cables. Installation can be done at home with a little skill, but we recommend turning to a professional service, especially if the audio input in your Saab is not activated. The BT Changer NG 9-3 cable harness only needs to be connected to the ICM and EHU. The ICM is easily accessible, but the EHU is built into the dashboard behind the climate panel, so you’re facing a more serious installation process.

Attention! To operate, the audio input of the EHU must be activated with TEC2. If your car already has audio preparation (a jack plug is in the compartment under the armrest), then this operation is not necessary.

We can guarantee the flawless operation of the BT-Changer only if the technical condition of the car allows it. The car’s electrical system and all communication BUS networks – including the optical network – must be free of error codes. The ICM controls buttons must be perfect, and every steering wheel control button must function properly.

Installation

STEP 1. – If you have an automatic transmission car, the gear lever in the P position obstructs installation. Therefore, put it in D gear and then turn off the engine. In the case of a manual transmission, it’s also better to put it in second gear before turning off the engine.

STEP 2. – Disconnect the battery using a 10mm socket wrench.

STEP 3. – Remove the upper ventilation grille. Use a thin screwdriver and a spatula or old bank cards. I think this operation is the most difficult part of the installation, but after this, everything will be easier. You can read the factory-recommended method by clicking here.

STEP 4. – Remove the ICM. There are two screws holding it diagonally from the top, on both sides, which require a 25 torx screwdriver. Be careful not to drop the screws into the dashboard because you’ll never find them.

STEP 5. – Disconnect the ICM connector.

STEP 6. – Remove the ashtray. With a thin screwdriver, you only need to bend out one small plastic retaining clip on the side wall, and the ashtray can be pulled out forward. You don’t need to remove it completely, just pull it out a bit.

STEP 7. – Remove the climate panel. By pushing and then tensioning the spatula on each side, the module will easily pop out of its place.

STEP 8. – Disconnect the climate panel. There are two connectors for digital climate and one for manual climate.

STEP 9. – Remove the EHU. If you have removed the climate panel, you can already see the gray metal box above the CD player, which is the EHU. The CD and EHU come out together, removal is very simple, you need to move the metal clips on both sides inward while pulling out the CD. As soon as the two tabs come out, the module slips out of its place.

STEP 10. – Connect the audio connector of the BT Changer. You don’t need to remove the larger factory connector from the EHU. If there is no AUDIO IN setup in the car, simply insert the BT Changer cable harness connector into the designated location. If there is one, you need to remove the connector by pressing the securing clip at the bottom, and then insert the BT Changer cable harness connector in its place.

STEP 11. – Connect the BT Changer module to the cable harness and route the two additional ICM connectors through the opening in the ICM.

STEP 12. – Push the EHU back into place. Pay attention to the cable routing. The metal clips easily snap back into place when in the correct position.

STEP 13. – Push the ashtray back in.

STEP 14. – Reconnect the climate panel and push it back into place.

STEP 15. – It’s important that the original orange optical cables directly connect to the ICM, so pull them out of the factory connector of the ICM. The optical cable consists of two orange wires, which are in an extra connector. Connect the connector to the connector. By moving the securing clip on the right side, the connector can be gently pulled out of its place.

STEP 16. – Insert the factory connector without the optical cable into the wide connector of the BT Changer cable harness.

STEP 17. – Insert the connector of the optical cable into the other wide connector of the BT Changer cable harness. It can only fit in one position. It’s easy to find out where and how to fit it.

STEP 18. – Insert the BT Changer connector extended with the optical cable into the ICM.

STEP 19. – Put back and screw in the ICM with the 25 torx screws. Especially on the right side, be careful not to drop the screw behind it.

STEP 20. – Carefully push the ventilation grille back into place.

STEP 21. – Reconnect the battery.

STEP 22. – If necessary, activate the audio input of the EHU with TEC 2.

Tutorial video:

USAGE

The BT Changer module must be activated from the steering wheel controls or with the ICM DISK button, as if switching to the AUX input. This establishes a Bluetooth connection between the mobile device and the audio system; the BT Changer icon and metadata appear on the SID display. Volume and track control can also be done from the steering wheel controls. Other metadata configuration options are not currently possible with this model.

Pairing

Due to the special structure of the audio system, the BT Changer can only partially use the controls, so the module’s functions need to be activated in an unconventional way.

For security reasons, pairing is not automatic; the phone must be paired. To initiate pairing, with the engine stop, ignition on, and brake and accelerator pedal pressed together, the upper part of the volume button on the steering wheel (loud) must be pressed. The mobile device only needs to be paired once; it will be automatically recognized for subsequent uses.

There is another method:
brake + accelerator pedal + right turn signal = pairing

Configuration

The BT Changer is a universal module, usable for many Saab models; therefore, it needs to be configured for the specific model before use. Configuration is done via WI-FI through a mobile device (no internet connection required).

To activate the BT Changer’s WI-FI mode, with the engine stop, ignition on, and brake and accelerator pedals pressed together, the lower part of the volume button on the steering wheel (mute) must be pressed. After this, the settings should be made on the phone.

There is another method:
brake + accelerator pedal + left turn signal = wifi mode

The type of the head unit and the SID do not need to be set for this assembly because the setting is done automatically based on the cable harness.

A special function is also possible, in the case of the NG 9-3 it is possible to switch on the Comfort Flash of turn signal. This means that if you press the turn signal switch for a short time, the blinker will flash three times. By default, this feature is disabled. It must be activated in Wi-Fi mode.