Was about to go out, then suddenly the car wouldn't start. Thinking the engine may have flooded, I saw the control panel and see the flashing Anti-theft thing blinking over and over. Try to start the car again, nothing. Read the owners manual and followed all the procedures, nothing worked. Called Mazda Roadside Assistance, nothing, they said wait till tomorrow morning.

Anyone with this problem? Think the alarm malfunctioned or something. Just great.

:(

When you turn the key, does the dash light up, radio works, etc?

If so, you might try disconnecting the negative battery cable for a
couple of minutes. I don't see any harm in it, it would be no different
than if the battery died.

Might reset the system.

Also, Try your other key. The chip in the key may be malfunctioning. Wont start without the signal from the key.

Ok, tried spare key, nothing, tried disconnecting battery.. nothing.. same thing. Hmmm.. thanks for suggestions Maolin. :P I'll keep on reading this thread in case new development... or at least till 7am tomorrow and calling dealership.

But you are correct... everything else works, radio, etc etc... but that dang light keeps flashing.

is it an auto? although mine's a mt, auto cars don't start if it's in drive. maybe it's in drive or R or N. make sure it's on P...

yes it's auto, but nope, car is in P position. Stupid light is still blinking... Anti-theft device light. It goes off if I turn it to the ON position, but if I try to start, it just starts blinking again.

:P Thanks for all the help, keep on coming.

Does the starter click or turn at all?

i'm guessing it the immobolizer thats stopping the car from sparking....

could it be ur remote not working properly? try unlocking it?

cause i have seen some car even if u have the door open it'll lock by itself and the driver will think the car's not armed.... try to start car but won't work until the alarm is disengaged...

Remote opens the doors, disarms the alarm just fine. I see the lights flash once when I arm it, etc etc. But the light still persists. I'm calling roadside assistance now and see what they are going to do.

Starter doesn't activate. I can crank it, but it sounds as if the engine is flooded... but it's not that.

The immobiliser is stopping the car from being started.
It is designed to do this when a key that has not been programmed for your vehicle is used on it. You can add keys yourself (the procedure is in the OM from memory), but the first two keys have to be programmed by a dealer.

Either you are using a key that has not been programmed (I doubt it, if it is the same key you have always used), the transponder (chip) in the key is faulty or has been blanked (I have never heard of this happening, but I gues it is possible), or the immobiliser system has a fault in it (like a faulty module, or ignition switch antenna).

Unfortunately all you can do is wait for the dealer to try and reprogram your keys, and if that doesn't work they will probably have to replace the module.

Either you are using a key that has not been programmed (I doubt it, if it is the same key you have always used), the transponder (chip) in the key is faulty or has been blanked (I have never heard of this happening, but I gues it is possible), or the immobiliser system has a fault in it (like a faulty module, or ignition switch antenna).

He tried the spare key and disconnecting the battery cable. No good.

have u put ur keys near anything that might cause the chip inside to go nuts? but i can't think of any house hold items right now that can fry ur chip inside...

Thanks for all the suggestions, just got back from dealership, they said it flooded... yet it also had the Anti-theft light malfunction.. something about it both happening at the same time when I cranked my car and it tried to start at a higher temperature.

I wonder if adding a turbo timer would resolve the flooding issue... so that it will keep the car running and heated afterwards.

that bites outlaw, hope they finally get your car fixed up right.

Same thing happened to me, towed to dealer, it was a blown fuse.

Third one from the top in the fusebox underhood - 15 amps, marked 'engine'.
It is the ECU fuse. Worth a check.....

S

This just happened to a buddy of mine, and right before I got to test drive it :mad: ).

Could it be possible that the GReddy Turbo Timer he has installed would cause the malfunction? Anyone else have problems with their turbo timers?