ummmhhhh…either it is a cloneable chip or rolling security. If cloneable as Eddie and others have suggested it should be a lot cheaper than that.
Just make sure that he is not able to just clone your other transponder chip.
The MK2 with a fixed data chip has a Philips PCF 7931.
The later MK2.5 with rolling security has a ID 8E chip marked TK5560A/TK5561A
Don’t let them program a new chip where a clone will work. Get then to show you the data off the chip and then start the car with the key, remove key and recheck data. If it has changed that confirms rolling security.
Thanks guys, still waiting for call, will see what he comes back with. I presume if a clone, which has been posted previously by Eddie, the chap doesn’t need to see the car? He explained that he did need to connect with the car, away from the shop, to reprogram things with his equipment. Having said all that, are we talking about the same thing here? Any number of keys being clones anyway? Or does the ECU read different transponder codes for each key, making each one unique but assigned to the car. I think I’ll stop there getting more confusing as I go along, although I do get easily confused
I realise, being a second key, that I could just get away with the basic key with transponder ( I presume that’s what Timpsons can do ) but I really want a full key/fob as if I were to lose the original I would then only have a basic non remote key for the car. I “might” see about purchasing a basic key as well, just in case. Talk about belts n braces!!!
With just a basic key though, would the alarm go off whenever I got in the car? Then, until key was in the ignition, it wouldn’t go off? I thought the fob assisted in setting the alarm when locking the car? Or is the alarm just lock activated, however it’s locked.
I’m a little concerned that Timpson’s man wasn’t interested in the make of the remote unit. From what I could find out, different makes are used - they are visually similar but they are not interchangeable.
You’re right too that if your key transponder can be cloned then they don’t need the car. The car will see it as being the key you already have, Equally, with the correct new fob, I’m sure you can link it to the car yourself.
I was too John and that’s my understanding too, if/when the guy gets back to me, I will mention again. If I proceed, and despite my best efforts, it’s the wrong one, Timpsons will have to sort it. Not ideal but if they won’t listen…
TBH, from the very poor, out of date website, to the not exactly fountain of knowledge from the shop, etc. to the only £40 difference with genuine Mazda, I’ll see how it all goes when I get the actual price. Mazda also confirmed 2 working days for all parts then service department booking. Let’s see how long Timpsons need. I guess I’m not desperate as I’ve waited 3 years already to get a 2nd key
The ecu/immobiliser/transponder setup is confusing particularly when combined with a remote facilty.
Having explained it to many people after struggling myself with the concept about 5 years ago when first encountered, quite happy to advise.
The basic principles are the ssme for the three parts we are concerned with. Data from the transponder chip is compared to that stored on the ecu before control of the car is effectively passed from the immobiliser to the ecu allowing normal running.
The ecu has a record of the data stored on any chip that has access to it. That data can be fixed where the ecu and chip data does not change or it can be changeable with rolling security where the ecu changes its own record of the chip data and updates the chip data on each use.
Fixed data is much easier to deal with as no changes on ecu record of data or transponder chip data. In this case the chip can be cloned multiple times. It is possible that your Timpson guy is simply planning to code another fixed data chip to the ecu. This is unnecessary where a chip is cloneable and will cost a lot more money as the programming process is usually far from straightforward.
OK guys there are two services offered by Timpsons.
In most shops they just clone the serial number of your key and then recut one of their standard Mazda fit clone keys and write the serial number to it.
You then can buy a remote fob off ebay and you have a remote fob and a separate clone key on your keyring.
Say £45 for the clone key and say £30 for a remote fob that you must teach to the car and that remote fob has to be the same model and make as your existing remote fob.
Now in Scotland there are two Timpson’s branches that can supply the one key solution. One is in Edinburgh 100 miles from us so I took that no futher and just got our local Timpsons to clone a key.
There are certain Timpson’s shops that have the kit to do a proper one key fix.
In that case they would order the combined keyfob and blade from the registration number of the car and the shop tech would not need to know the remote fob make nor are they interested as that clever stuff is done by their head office when they order the blade and the remote fob from the reg number just like a Mazda Dealer does.
The key blade would have a unique serial number and these shops have dealer level software either on a Laptop or an expensive dealer level code reader that allows the shop to teach the new key to the ECU. They would also teach the remote fob to the car which does not need any code reader or laptop intervension.
Cost as has been said around £240 and in that case they do not clone a keyblade but supply a different operational key like a Mazda dealer would provide and they must have access to the car to get this working.
That makes total sense Eddie. I rang Timpson HQ first as I struggled with the website. After asking for my postcode, they directed me to a shop that had all the right equipment to undertake the full jobby. Just happened it was 1 mile away, not 100 as you found out. So not every shop is capable of doing this work as they don’t have all the relevant equipment and either way, the stuff needed is special order, not stock items. I feel a bit more confident now so let’s see what the guy comes back with in terms of time frame and final price. I’ll be back