The battery recently died on my NC after 9 years of service. Halfords wanted £75 for a new one but Tayna batteries in Wales delivered one to me next day for just over £40. (Varta with a 3 year guarantee).
Needless to say I had no idea what the radio code was and ended up with the flashing “err” message which I was unable to reset.
A quick call to Mark at Freelance Mazda in Chatham to seek his advice followed. Mark’s reply as usual was to pop in and he would sort it for me which he did this afternoon in about 30 seconds and for no charge.
I have always found Mark’s service and knowledge of MX5’s to be second to none and it is things like today that make me keep going back there. I heartily recommend Freelance Mazda in Second Avenue Chatham for all things MX5.
Interested in this. I have exactly the same car and have been put off disconnecting the battery. Are you saying you didn’t have a radio code but your guy got it all working again? I understood that these radio’s don’t come coded but owners can programme a code in? That’s where I’m unsure as a previous owner may or may not have coded it? I did ring my local Mazda dealer when I got the car and they wanted quite a bit of money to see whether it was coded or not and to reset it. Perry’s of Halifax it was. I declined their offer at the time but would like it sorting if possible.
Barrie
forgot to say, I’m nowhere near Chatham! Based in Leeds.
Hi Barrie. Exactly. I didn’t have the code and despite googling and trying multiple code versions none worked. Mark resolved the issue in seconds and removed the loaded code from the radio. This allows me to add my own code should I wish.
I hope that there is a good local independent MX5 specialist nearby that can do the same for you. I am sure someone will be along shortly with some suggestions of garages that may be able to help.
Can’t help on the coding thing, there doesn’t seem to be a tried and trusted method that works.
My radio wasn’t coded as I removed it to connect an iPod link to the rear of it, reconnected and all working ok.
Some dealers will code them, some don’t bother it seems. It doesn’t seem a big job to code/decode the radio going on the OP’s experience.
I’ve since took my radio out agin and replaced it with an aftermarket unit. That gives me better alternatives for BT phone calls, SD slot for all my tunes and it seems better quality radio reception.
Told you I can’t help with the code thing, but my experiences anyway.
Hi Mick, fitting an audio link blue tooth thing from MX5parts was why I struggled originally. It specifically says to disconnect the battery prior to fitting? I was more concerned about the radio being coded and losing functionality so with a deep breath, ignition/raduo off, I managed to get to the socket at the rear of the radio without gully removing it and plugged the audio link unit in! Fortunately ( for me ) everything works fine I have looked at a replacement fascia and a different head unit for the car but again, if coded, the OEM radio would be locked and worth nothing without being decoded? and if fitted back into the car at a later date, would still need decoding
Ned, thank you for the advice on the “extra” battery tip! That would preserve the code, that’s if there actually is one activated? It’s a bit like Russian roulette though? Might be worth me ringing another dealer as Perry’s wanted the car for the day and over £50 when I spoke with them! Mind you, they also said I would need to buy a complete lockset for the car and two new keys/fobs programmed at over £700 when I asked about a second replacement key?