just bought a 2.5 only has one key where can I get one without paying mazda a fortune ?
thanks
sandra
I only got the one key with my recently purchased Mk2.5 so I would be interested in knowing as well.
My brother and I have been after one for a while now. We exhausted the regional specialists ( non Mazda ) At first we thought we had success with Timpsons who said they could do the key and sort the encryption aspect also - but eventually we found it does need to go to Mazda - it appears the code is a rolling one and requires Mazda Japan to help the dealer get it synchronised or similar. There is a post somewhere which gives a little more detail - but the earlier cars in mk2.5 guide seem to have this system…
I deal with the ECU, immobiliser and transponder systems on these cars and the MK2.5 key with rolling security code is a problem.
Has anyone successfully purchased a working replacement key anywhere?
Has anyone successfully coded a MK2.5 chip from another MK2.5 key to their car?
In theory dealers can get you new working keys but I only hear about expensive failures.
Given the above, operating your car with a single working key is a big risk. My advice is to demobilise your immobiliser system permanently using the one transponder chip you have and then operate the car using mechanical keys. Very easily cut and no more worries about the possibility of a lost key.
I’ve not had a problem coding a Mazda supplied keys to 2.5s using the Mazda procedure.
Disable the Immobiliser? Why not leave the key on a string attached to the drivers side mirror so anyone can access it? Would you leave your front door unlocked? Apart from which if you disable the immobiliser you will also invalidate the insurance (check it!)
Last tine I heard it costs around £45 for a dealer to supply a second key - it’s not cheap, but neither is the car. I don’t have a second (remote) key - only the non remote key supplied with the remote, which should be handed on with the car, but rarely is. Look after the one you’ve got is my advice, two keys are asking for trouble.
Hi Gerryn - I have sold dozens of ECU/immob sets for MK1, MK2, MK2.5 cars so like to think I know a little of what I am talking about.
Your £45 key would be MK2 but more likely £55 from Timpsons. MK2.5 is rolling security - different much more expensive transponder chip, not clonable and key will need to be coded to the car. Were you aware of this Gerryn?
What place the immobiliser on a MK1 to MK2.5 car these days? Tell the insurance company you no longer have a working immobiliser and see what they say - from my experience no problem or charge. There is no visible sign anyway so I imagine most owners would not bother. Have you or someone you know had a problem here Gerryn?
I sell demobilise kits and two key kits for the MK1 and MK2 - around £50 difference. Guess what everyone buys - yes demobilise. Not my choice you understand. Naturally Gerryn you do not stick a label on your <£1500 car saying ‘I do not have a working immobiliser, please steal me’, lol.
Not sure what you are saying re your keys but anyone with one working transponder key is asking for trouble - I know because they come to me when their single key is lost. Your reaction when I offer what I genuinely believe to be good advice to save people trouble and do myself out of business is disappointing Gerryn.
P.S my girlfriend leaves her Eunos unlocked - better to get the contents/car stolen without associated damage to the softtop. We do not leave our house unlocked - that would be ridiculous Gerryn:-)
Robble
You weren’t supposed to answer this one:-)
So in theory if you have any MK2.5 donor transponder chip and your codeword, you can add a key?
I don’t see why not. Need one valid key plus one new key or 2 new keys.
Ahhhh! - don’t tempt me into buying a MK2.5 just to spend many hours coding and experimenting with ECUs and Immobilisers like I did with the MK2:-)
…but seriously, I have a spare MK2.5 key so if anyone local to TQ7 with a MK2.5 and one key would like to get in touch, happy to try and set them up with a second key for minimal cost. I will need the car for coding though.
The problem here is, what do you do when the one and only valid key has been lost?
quote=Roadster Robbie;522757]
I don’t see why not. Need one valid key plus one new key or 2 new keys.
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Hi Alan
One of the things I did manage to prove with the MK2 is that you can code keys to a matched ECU and immobiliser. This simply requires the right physical key to fit the ignition, codeword and correct chip(not matched).
I coded existing keys for my MK2 1.6 to an ECU and immobiliser from a donor car.
No experience on MK2.5 - Robbie is the man here but it seems that they could be similar.
Good question. only Robbie can answer that one, In the meantime I’d guess you’d have to contact a dealer, and having given all the details of the car - including the VIN number - I’d guess; they may be able to get the key type from Mazda (or the car records, which all dealers have access to) they can presumably order one from Japan, or wherever? Cost and Delay? - Again only Robbie can answer that too.
Motto, don’t lose the key. I’ve had eighteen cars and vans (four of them company vehicles)and NEVER lost a key.(Just shocked myself there, as I counted them for the first time before I posted !)
I have to confess I once locked both sets of keys in the boot as I was about to go to France, I did eventually get the boot open without doing any damage, but I won’t say how, so don’t ask! I’d rung the AA, but their guy couldn’t get in!
As it seems my original post wasn’t understood, I’ll repeat more clearly - If you buy a new car from Mazda, you get two sets of keys, one set consists of a Remote key fob with door/ignition key (which you don’t need to use to get into the car, the remote does it,) plus one valet key and a second set of a straight forward non remote key plus a valet key. I assume the second set door/ignition key has a built in transponder. Other than lending the second set to my Son - in case we get separated or whatever, I never use that set, it’s kept safe at home. I suspect this is the key set second owners don’t get when they buy a car, blame either the original owner or the dealer - in such latter case one wonders why?
I don’t think I misunderstood your earlier post Gerryn - hopefully you fully understand my reply?
Have to say that your explanation of keys has got me scratching my head:-)
Just to clarify, all UK MX5 cars with a factory fitted immobiliser(1995 on) were originally supplied with two separate keys with transponder chips fitted that operate the immobiliser. Both have separate identities and are individually coded into the ECU. Most MK2.5 cars were also supplied with a single remote fob to operate the doors and boot independant of the keys. The keys would also have had a little metal plaque on the keyring with the 5 digit lock cutting code stamped on it.
Keys for the MK1 and MK2 can be cloned by numerous locksmiths. Timpsons were charging £55 for a MK2 cloned key, so I guess the same for the MK1.
I would expect a good amount of money off any MK2.5 car supplied with only one transponder key as very difficult/expensive to source a second key. The remotes for the MK2.5 are also expensive - Mazda want somewhere around £150 and not cheap secondhand.
Yes the system fitted to facelift NB works the same as the pre-facelift from a key coding point of view. The technicalities of the systems do differ slightly.
…but I think we are we talking about ‘a little bit of the old in/out’ with the key to get into coding mode on the facelift rather than a twist of the wrist on the pre-facelift:-)
Guessing this MK2.5 key programming will not work with a virgin chip, so either someone(Mazda) would have to put data on the chip or a chip with data from another MK2.5 car would have to be used?
I can see what little hair I have left being pulled out in the near future if I get my hands on a MK2.5 to play with.
I’m another Mk2.5 1 key owner! I managed to source a 2nd remote fob last year (for around £40 used) and programmed that in ok. However… I still only have the one ignition key. I got a rough estimate off the local Mazda dealership. It was over £100 to get a key and have it coded to the car.
Having a working immobiliser doesnt bother me. Is it therefore an option to take the head off my working key (with the chip in) and tape it to the inside of the steering column cowl - therefore permanently allowing a generic (non transponder) key to work? I could then get a pair of these cut: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HIGH-QUALITY-MAZDA-MX5-UNCUT-KEY-BLANK-NON-TRANSPONDER-TYPE-LOCKSMITH-SERVICE-/281311506013?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item417f78ee5d
I appreciate that this leaves the car less secure - but setting that aside, would this approach work and give me 2 working keys?
You did well to find a fob for £40. I sell these for £70(delivered), albeit dismantled and cleaned, battery checked and tested, supplied with programming instructions.
The dealer price you were quoted for a working key is very good but if you read a previous post of mine here you will see what my trade experience of these key solutions has amounted to and the response from this forum seems to back that up. Robbie is the only person I know who has succeeded with the MK2.5 key. Many people and dealers have failed.
PM me if you want advice on demobilising your car.
Programming is done with an un-programmed key on the facelift as it is on the pre-facelift.