DIY: Code your own key / remote
02-27-2006, 11:25 AM
#51
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So the dealership only gave me one fob for my 04 rx8. I broke that fob but they have another one for me that I need to pick up.
From what Ive read, you can reprogram a fob without having one thats working, right?
From what Ive read, you can reprogram a fob without having one thats working, right?
02-27-2006, 11:53 AM
#53
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Originally Posted by notabun
So the dealership only gave me one fob for my 04 rx8. I broke that fob but they have another one for me that I need to pick up.
From what Ive read, you can reprogram a fob without having one thats working, right?
From what Ive read, you can reprogram a fob without having one thats working, right?
why did you only get 1 fob? they are supposed to get you 2! Unless, you bought your car used and they only offered 1 upon the sell of the car.
02-27-2006, 12:00 PM
#54
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Originally Posted by Go48
YOU need 2 working remotes to program another remote. The dealer can program a single remote with their equipment.
Originally Posted by clmantis21
the dealership can
why did you only get 1 fob? they are supposed to get you 2! Unless, you bought your car used and they only offered 1 upon the sell of the car.
why did you only get 1 fob? they are supposed to get you 2! Unless, you bought your car used and they only offered 1 upon the sell of the car.
02-27-2006, 04:36 PM
#55
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Originally Posted by notabun
Crap.
It was technically used (1400 miles). The salesman couldnt find the 2nd fob and so they ordered another one and tried to charge me for it! I figured in the future I should avoid them altogether and do this on my own but I guess I cant if you need 2 working keys and fobs to program new ones
It was technically used (1400 miles). The salesman couldnt find the 2nd fob and so they ordered another one and tried to charge me for it! I figured in the future I should avoid them altogether and do this on my own but I guess I cant if you need 2 working keys and fobs to program new ones
talk him into programing a key for you for free. Have him talk to the guys at the service department. Tell him that it would be a great favor because of the fact that you never got that second fob. Also tell him that you would do it yourself since it only takes 5 mins but that because of the fact that THEY couldnt find you a spare fob... you need them to do it. They have the equipment to do it.
If you dont own an 05 fob yet... look on ebay. They go from $49-65 usually and you can then order a keyblank for $35 from Rosenthal Mazda.
best of luck
02-27-2006, 04:43 PM
#56
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Originally Posted by alcimedes
I picked up my key blank from Rosenthal Mazda for $35. Took a day or two for it to show up. I brought it over to my local Ace Hardware and they cut it no problem. Just make sure it's deep enough. Try it after it's cut. As they cut keys the spacer and cutting wheel wear at slightly different rates, so you can get a key that works but isn't as smooth as it should be. That being said:
The key is programmed fine. I've used it to drive the car around no problem. The remote is the problem. I have two original keys and remotes. Every step seems to match the write-ups as far as how the car is responding to the programming of the remotes, it just isn't picking up the new switchblade style remote signal (at least that's what it seems like).
A question for those who have this style of key. What color is the middle part when it lights up? Should it turn orange for a half second or so then go off? I'm wondering if the battery is shot in the remote.
The key is programmed fine. I've used it to drive the car around no problem. The remote is the problem. I have two original keys and remotes. Every step seems to match the write-ups as far as how the car is responding to the programming of the remotes, it just isn't picking up the new switchblade style remote signal (at least that's what it seems like).
A question for those who have this style of key. What color is the middle part when it lights up? Should it turn orange for a half second or so then go off? I'm wondering if the battery is shot in the remote.
did you ever get your key and fob both working properly? If yes, what was wrong and how did you correct the problem?
02-27-2006, 07:48 PM
#57
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Nope, not yet. I have two working remotes plus the third new remote. As of yet the programming hasn't taken. Everything works properly with the two remotes I had, but won't work for the switchblade style remote. I'm doing some work on the car though, so it's not a big rush right now.
02-28-2006, 09:21 AM
#58
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Well I lucked out yesterday because they replaced my broken fob with a new one and gave me a 2nd one, all for free. I had put up a fuss awhile ago about it to get them to replace it at no cost, but I was expecting only 1 new fob, so I was quite shocked.
Then I mentioned to the service guy that I wanted to program a 3rd one myself and they tried to tell me its not possible, ha! I was like, people are doing it man, dont tell me it cant be done. He eventually said they are against it because something could potentially go wrong with the programming and put your car into anti-theft mode, essentially locking you out.
Whatever, weasly dealer man!
CLMANTIS21: If I got a 3rd key, the 05 switchblade one, will that make my 2 04 fobs not work anymore?
Then I mentioned to the service guy that I wanted to program a 3rd one myself and they tried to tell me its not possible, ha! I was like, people are doing it man, dont tell me it cant be done. He eventually said they are against it because something could potentially go wrong with the programming and put your car into anti-theft mode, essentially locking you out.
Whatever, weasly dealer man!
CLMANTIS21: If I got a 3rd key, the 05 switchblade one, will that make my 2 04 fobs not work anymore?
02-28-2006, 11:28 AM
#59
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CLMANTIS21: If I got a 3rd key, the 05 switchblade one, will that make my 2 04 fobs not work anymore?
02-28-2006, 12:19 PM
#60
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Originally Posted by csaltkill
You are correct, if you have a 05 remote program, you won't be able to use your 04 fob.
2005 key for my 2004 RX8
Just had my new "switch blade" key/remote cut at the dealership - they did it for FREE! I then quickly programmed the new key in the ignition in like 30 seconds thanks to the D.I.Y. here. Then I programmed the remote fob (attached to the new key) in like another 45 seconds. All my keys and remotes are working with my 8. This was the easiest upgrade by far thanks to the folks who posted to/on this D.I.Y.
Just had my new "switch blade" key/remote cut at the dealership - they did it for FREE! I then quickly programmed the new key in the ignition in like 30 seconds thanks to the D.I.Y. here. Then I programmed the remote fob (attached to the new key) in like another 45 seconds. All my keys and remotes are working with my 8. This was the easiest upgrade by far thanks to the folks who posted to/on this D.I.Y.
02-28-2006, 09:31 PM
#61
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I find that very interesting, and I also wonder if you have done this. The reason I find this interesting is once you use the guide that is posted here. It is IMPOSSIBLE to use both the 04 remote and the 05, and have them registered at the same time. You can go back and hchange it, but you can have only one set either 04 or 05 programmed for use at once. The reasoning is that it changes the frequency the fobs are programmed. I.E. if you look at your 04 fob on the back the frequency (i.e. channel) is different from an 05 fob.
03-01-2006, 11:17 AM
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The keys will all work fine that isn't the issue. The issue is that once you program teh 05 fob, you can't use the 04 fob at the same time. Anyone you says you can operate both the 04 fob and 05 fob, are lying or don't understand the issue
03-01-2006, 11:30 AM
#65
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Originally Posted by csaltkill
The keys will all work fine that isn't the issue. The issue is that once you program teh 05 fob, you can't use the 04 fob at the same time. Anyone you says you can operate both the 04 fob and 05 fob, are lying or don't understand the issue
03-01-2006, 11:40 AM
#66
Yeah, I sure am lying 
csaltkill, you don't make any sense... what part of my response did you not understand? Let me repeat: I have a '04 car that came with the separate fobs and got myself a '05 switchblade key / remote. Both my original keys/fobs AND the switchblade key / remote work just the same. They all unlock/lock the doors and the keys start the car. You're welcome to come to my place and check it out if you don't believe me.
You have clearly no idea what you're talking about... stop spreading BS. People will thank you.
csaltkill, you don't make any sense... what part of my response did you not understand? Let me repeat: I have a '04 car that came with the separate fobs and got myself a '05 switchblade key / remote. Both my original keys/fobs AND the switchblade key / remote work just the same. They all unlock/lock the doors and the keys start the car. You're welcome to come to my place and check it out if you don't believe me.
You have clearly no idea what you're talking about... stop spreading BS. People will thank you.
03-01-2006, 11:55 AM
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Alright, if you say it works then maybe it does. However, I followed the same proccess that is posted, and I can only use either the 04 fobs or the O5 remote. I can't use them both at the same time, currently if I want to use the 04 fobs, I have to reprogram. So maybe, I missed something in the instructions however, they are the same ones that are posted. So, what could I have missed?
03-01-2006, 12:02 PM
#68
Originally Posted by csaltkill
Alright, if you say it works then maybe it does.
So, what could I have missed?
I'm also wondering: how do you change back to the old fobs? Do you have two switchblade keys? Since programming a new key/remote requires two working ones...
03-02-2006, 09:33 AM
#69
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I also added this to a new thread, but figured I was already logging my issue with programming my '05 remote, so I'll toss it in here as well.
]Last night someone else who's done the reprogram stopped by, we went over all the steps, and it seemed I was doing everything right, it just wasn't taking.
However, we did notice one difference between his '05 key and mine. On his key, when you press down a button and hold it (lock, unlock, etc) the light will flash one time and stop.
On my remote, the light flashes about once every second or so, and will just keep flashing. Anyone with an '05 remote know what this means? I did a search but couldn't find anything.
]Last night someone else who's done the reprogram stopped by, we went over all the steps, and it seemed I was doing everything right, it just wasn't taking.
However, we did notice one difference between his '05 key and mine. On his key, when you press down a button and hold it (lock, unlock, etc) the light will flash one time and stop.
On my remote, the light flashes about once every second or so, and will just keep flashing. Anyone with an '05 remote know what this means? I did a search but couldn't find anything.
03-02-2006, 10:57 AM
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I'm also wondering: how do you change back to the old fobs? Do you have two switchblade keys? Since programming a new key/remote requires two working ones...
03-02-2006, 01:33 PM
#71
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Originally Posted by csaltkill
I am only using one 05 key and remote. You can switch back, as I didn't need both 04 fobs to program the 05. So hence, I don't need two 05 fobs. The keys are never an issuemas they work just fine. I can use the 04 key and the 05 key, but only one set of fobs. And thus the reasoning is the frequency settings
"I didn't need both 04 fobs to program the 05."
How did you program the fob in that case? Did the dealer do it?
03-02-2006, 01:46 PM
#72
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I will do the procedure over again, and explain the steps it has been 6 months since I have done it. I should be able to do this Saturday morning. I will also post the id's from the 04 and 05 then as well
03-10-2006, 09:53 AM
#74
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Ok, I ended up getting a refund from the person who sold me the original '05 key (sounds like it wasn't intended for the 8), so I'll probably try buying another. Before I do though, could someone who has '04 keys and then bought an '05 key that works post the following?
FCC and IC ID's for their '04 remotes
FCC and IC ID's for the working '05 remote.
I want to make sure before I purchase another one that it will work.
FCC and IC ID's for their '04 remotes
FCC and IC ID's for the working '05 remote.
I want to make sure before I purchase another one that it will work.
03-17-2006, 06:40 PM
#75
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Ok, the end to my saga is pretty straight forward. The "RX8" key I initially bought on e-bay wasn't the right IC code. Not even close. The IC code you need is below:
4238A-41788
I just got a replacement key with that above code and it worked no problem. All three remotes work just fine. My '04's and my '05's.
4238A-41788
I just got a replacement key with that above code and it worked no problem. All three remotes work just fine. My '04's and my '05's.