MX-5 Mk2 Sport (NB 1999) Central Locking

Technical Area Electrics & ICE
1
  1. My model of MX-5 is: 1999 Sport Mk2 NB
  2. I’m based near: Cambridge
  3. I’m looking for technical help or recommendations on: Central Locking

Hi

I’ve just entered the MX-5 world with a purchase of a 1999 Mk2 Sport (the blue one!). I’ve been eyeing up an MX-5 for some time and finally went for it when this particular vehicle came up… couldn’t resist.

Anyway, while i wait for it to go in for full service and check over, I’ve had been doing the odd bit of checking it over where i can and making sure its as original as it possibly can be (i want to keep it that way if possible). From what i can see, including the original sales blurb, it should have central locking.

The car has come to me with 2 Mazda keys which i believe to be original. I also understand this model came with factory fitted with an immobiliser. Both keys unluck and start the car. However, no central locking appears to work and there was no remote fob supplied. The keys just lock/unlock the door they are used in.

Believing the car had central locking, I just bought a fob and went through the magic pairing procedure… several times. The car never responded by flicking the locks itself. In fact, i have never seen the car flick the locks itself. All that the car does is to give 3 beeps of what i believe to be the immobiliser (which to be fair is probably just because it thinks I’ve opened the drivers door and left the keys in the ignition).

So, my next thought was to check fuses and also (according to other posts) see if there is a locking control unit behind the glove box. Well, behind the glove box, there appears to be an aircon unit!! I was not expecting to see that. Similarly, I’ve yet to locate the fuse box …. is it under the steering column in an almost impossible place to find?

What I’d really like to know is, did this model actually come with Central Locking? The blurb says it did. Can anyone else with this model tell me if theirs did as standard? If it did, and to confirm if mine has too, is the controller still behind the glove box.. behind the AC? How can i spot it if its there??!! And the fuse box is worth a check (if i can find it!)?

I’d be really grateful to anyway who can help a newbie learn about this particular model :slight_smile:

Cheers

Mike

2

Hi,

Central locking isn’t the same as remote locking in MX-5 specs. Central locking should unlock the passenger door when you unlock the driver’s door (with the key).

From the sound of it, you don’t have central locking then. :frowning:

(If you did have central locking, but not remote locking, it is possible to retrofit the OEM remote module as described here - I have done so, and it works.)

The immobiliser works by detecting a small transponder built into the key.

1 Like
3

Thanks MisterG1 thats a helpful distinction i hadn’t really considered. I think my next step will be to find the fuse box and check fuses and/or have a look what mechanisms are actually in the door.

If anyone else has a Mk2 Sport, i’d really appreciate hearing if they had central locking as standard (like it says in the original sales blurb)

Cheers

Mike

4

Yes, mine (red version) had manual central locking, they are based on the 1.8iS trim level so had everything the standard car had plus the bodykit etc.

Remote central locking didn’t get added till the facelift models circa 2001.

2 Likes
5

I used to have a 1999 red Mk2 Sport and it had “manual” central locking, whereas you turned the key in the drivers door and the passenger side locked.

Mine failed during my ownership.

There is a micro switch within the Drivers side lock mechanism that fails, it may be worth looking at that.

I replaced the microswitch and it cured it.

1 Like
6

That’s brilliant AndyMk2 & Risingsun…. i now know central locking should be there and is fixable!