Key and Key Fob for 2001 MX5

Technical Area Electrics & ICE
2

Hi folks,

Apologies if there is a thread on this - I looked and couldn’t find one.

We’ve recently bought a 2001 1.8S MX5 but it only has one key and one key fob.   The bloke we bought it from said that Timpsons will cut another key - our local Timpson has royally “chinned me off” as he doesn’t have the key in stock and showed no interest in getting one in for me.

So, my question is, apart from going to Mazda, where can I get another key fob and also get a spare key cut. It worries my wife that if she lost the key, she has no way of driving the car!

 

Thanks in advance

3

Have a look through these posts:

http://www.mx5oc.co.uk/forum/yaf_postst86316_Where-to-buy-a-replacement-key-fob------other-than-from-Mazda-dealer.aspx

4

Thanks Dipstck, 

I’m thinking along the lines of just getting a spare key cut rather than another fob as it seems a lot of hassle & the fobs are few & far. Can I just go & get a key cut At Timpsons? Where is the best place to go?

5

If only it were that simple Jim:-)

Look up transponder chip and rolling security. There are a number of posts on this issue

6

My Mk2.5 1800 has a rolling chip security system and Timsons supplied a working key.
I obtained the replacement coded key from Timsons inside Tesco at Brooklands, Surrey.
It cost £130 and about two hours wait whilst codes were obtained from the ignition transponder under the dash and then a installation code was obtained by telephone.
Fobs can also be done but I did not ask price of fob.
Apparently the man running the branch has a lot more experience than other branches so your local branch may or may not be able to supply.
They may be able to tell you which branch could supply.

I’ve just noticed that you hail from Brookwood. It’s not too far to Tesco (Timsons) at Byfleet. The chap may swear when you ask him to do another one so soon after mine. LOL

7

That was a bargain Dipstick:-)

Timpsons would have used the serial number from your car’s immobiliser box and VIN number from your car to get an eight digit PIN code from Mazda.

They then would have gone through the extremely frustrating process of key coding the rather expensive new chipped key to the car.

I imagine the brave man heaved a sigh of relief when he finally got it to work:-)

As you say they may not want to do another one but if this is the way you want to go, give it a try Jim - not heard of it done cheaper. 

8

It’ll wait for now. I’ll probably get a fob from you

at a later date and talk about a spare key then As that seems the best, easiest option. 

Another question; is the key for a 2001 MX5 a transponder key or a normal “non transponder” key?

thanks for all the advice folks.

 

 

 

9

 

All facelift, MK2.5 cars have keys incorporating updated transponder chips with rolling security. This means that the chip data updates every time the key is used. Put simply, clones don’t work as they did with the earlier versions of the MX5 transponder chip fitted to the MK2 and MK1. In a working system the transponder chip is uniquely linked to the immobiliser and the ECU. It will not work directly with any other ECU/immobiliser. 

As described in my previous post adding a new key involves the use of a relatively expensive chip(£35+ last time I checked) being coded to the car using a PIN unique to that car. Not personally attempted this on a MK2.5 car but spent many hours experimenting on a MK2 where the key coding process is similar. I had some success but the procedure proved unpredictable and frustrating.

The remote fob works in conjunction with a keyless unit - this system is completely separate from the physical key, transponder, immobiliser and ECU system. Your remote system opens/locks the doors and boot but you need the physical key with transponder to initiate the handshake between the immobiliser and ECU to start the car. Having just one transponder key on a facelift car(MK2.5) is a dangerous situation as loss of the key generally means that all the associated components will need replacing. Potentially key coding can get around this but would probably end up costing the same and much more likely to fail. The same applies to the MK1 and MK2 systems unless the fixed data held on the transponder chip is known, so a cloned chip could potentially be created.    

   

10

You’ve got it! Luckily the coding of the key worked first time for him. He had a relieved look on his face when he came back into the shop.

11

Very pleased for you - it doesn’t always end this way.

If you ever lose one of your keys, get in touch.

I have a much easier and far cheaper method of dealing with this issue.