Hi just bought a MX5 NC with both keys present but the battery was flat in the spare key so used the main key to take care home.
Once home used the spare key to open the boot and the key fob broke from the blade, so pulled the blade out, it was still in one peice so attached back to key fob and tapped up put a spare battery in the key fob walked out to the car and used the buttons on the fob which opened the doors, the key would open the boot but upon putting the key in the ignition it would not take off stering lock and the red light was just flashing.
After reading lots of threads i’m a bit confused on what I need to do, all I want is a key that incase of emergencies I can use to open and start the car but without paying dealer prices.
To tell the truth I don’t fully understand keys and what parts transponders are built into etc, just liked to be be armed with some basic knowledge just incase I’m wasting my money.And if there’s other options out there.
Ok you want simple to make a Mk3 ignition, door, boot lock key.
Take the good key to Timpsons and get them to make a new key.
It will do the ignition lock and door and boot locks.
It will not have a push button for the central locking so you need the Timpson key and the old key on the key ring to use the zapper. That is good for a cheepskate and costs say £50. . There is a way to get the old key fixed to make it do the ignition lock but you want simple and it is a bit involved on a DIY basis.
If you are not a cheepskate like most of us on here, order a new key blade from Mazda and they will cut it to suit your car and then teach the key to the car assuming the zapper side is still working. They will need the car for a while to teach the key to the car.
I leave it to you to get a price from the Mazda Dealer for that action but in that case you have a neater one key solution but more expensive.
Just re read your post and Robin’s post. There are plenty posts including a good few by me giving these details. it seems to me you already have the details I have just given.
Thanks will just go to Timpsons and speak to them happy with a cheap spare key.
Read loads of forums last night and seemed to find people getting fob’s and bare blades from Ebay having them cut etc and it was blowing my mind and sometimes still not working.
And yes I’m a cheap skate seeing on first day of ownership broke the key and decided it needs a new wheel bearing,the Wife not impressed with me.
Check with Timpsons but I think you should be able to get your money back if it doesn’t work.
Also ask about a discount for a second key if it DOES work.
It was a while ago now but our local Timpsons offered this when asked - and honoured the discount even though the second key was cut a week later. You need to keep your receipt AND ask.
(Ours wasn’t for a Mazda - and it may have been a limited time offer though.)
Presumably the NC will still unlock with a real key so no need for the ‘plipper’ anyway.
Yea Bruce, I’m a cheapskate too - usually get away with it but it may be a struggle if you require a totally new, fully functional key for the MK3.
Not in any way an expert on the MK3 key but imagine it is a combined version of the MK2.5 remote system and transponder key.
There will be three things to get right.
physical metal blade to turn locks and ignition - should be easy to get this cut, either to code or cloned from another blade, even a broken one:-)
remote system for locks and alarm. This requires the right fob parts, either from your old damaged unit or new parts programmed to the remote system.
transponder chip for immobiliser to connect to ecu. Without this the car will not start as it facilitates communication, turning off the immobiliser and passing control to the ecu. Hopefully you have found this chip in your damaged fob and can transfer it to a new case. Getting a new one of these will no doubt be a nightmare as it is with the MK2.5 cars. Rolling security means that the chip data is updated after every use so cloning does not work. Hopefully you have two of these transponder chips, so do not require a new one.
Well the Key fob apart from the blade coming off is in one piece so if the chip as come out I would guess one of the previous owners must have taken it out…
That’s what I thought, the key would at least unlock the steering lock but it didn’t but did work in all the door/boot locks…That’s why I posted confused in the title lol…Might give it another go today was a bit p***ed off last night.
The chip should be in there somewhere - will append when I finally find out where.
Miata.net recommend having at least three programmed keys for the MK3. Reason being that you or I can easily follow the process of programming a third key if there are already 2 working keys whereas if you lose one of your original keys it is an expensive trip to the dealer.
I found another useful American thread that seems to locate the chip…
Thanks Rhino for all the links didn’t get chance to try again last night but after reading your link where the chip is just wondering if the fact i’ve got tons of insulation tape wrapped around that area to keep the key in place maybe I’m blocking the signal…
To be honest I doubt the tape would block signal. I make up kits for the MK1/MK2 where these chips are embedded in cardboard and tape - signal has always continued to work.
Not got my sticky fingers on a MK3 fob yet but it’s probably only a matter of time:-)
Can you easily take your working fob apart in the area just above the key without any risk of breakage? If so do that to determine exactly where the chip should be.
I have a feeling that the chip on your second, damaged fob is either missing completely or has been repositioned too far away from the pickup ring on the ignition. These chips do need to be in very close proximity and in the correct central position for the signal to work. Hopefully you will find the chip and get it to work but the links I sent you indicate that there is a way to code a second chip to your car if one working chip. With luck you will be able to get this to work without an expensive trip to the dealer.
I have a personal interest in this as deal with the MK1/MK2 systems on a daily basis but little knowledge of the MK3. Hoping you will get this sorted out and we will all learn something at minimal cost.
Good pic Harco - I was looking for similar but it somehow eluded me. You can see that the chip housing is close to the top of the key blade and as central as it can be.
There are probably variants on this as several MK3 fob types but similar idea.
Chip has no power supply Bruce. The transmitter ring on ignition is energised and stimulates energy within the chip to liberate the chip data.
Look up T5 transponder chip images - yours is not a T5 but cosmetic appearance will be very similar. These chips are very small and quite understandable why someone may throw one away without considering it - just a little over 1cm long!
