purchasing a 2004 rx 8 at weekend, and keep seeing threads bout syncing the lock and unlock on the fob.
now to clear this up as doesn't seem to be a definite answer that I have seen, so


can you buy a flip key that needs programming and sync it to the car yourself, and just get a blade and transponder cut n coded at a key cutter?

 

If you have 2 keys that are already coded to the car, you can code a 3rd yourself.

If you only have 1 key that is coded to the car, you will need the services of a locksmith that has Mazda's equipment or a dealer (a dealer is far more expensive, the locksmiths know they can undercut dealer prices)

The physical metal part of the key can be cut by any locksmith, usually for free if you are paying for one of their other services too (like coding that key).

 

ok pretty sure I have two keys, so basically this

get key cutter to cut key and code transponder?
sync key to car using diy?
sync fob buttons to lock/unlock using diy?

then I should have a working switchblade keyfob

 

You just need to get a fob with the right transponder model number and a key blank, have the key cut, then use the DIY to code the transponder yourself. No need to have any outside involvement other than the cutting of the key.

This changes if it turns out that you only have one key currently.

 

excellent so I guess if I get one fob with car it will have model no on it? if so how will I know which one corresponds to which switchblade?

 

You separate the key base from the electronic fob, and along the edge of where they meet there is a model number.

They change by trim and/or year, so whatever key you have with the car will have the right model number that you need.

 

pretty sure its this one with car??

 

Ah, ok. That will be different. I think you can separate the halves still, but I've never dealt with one of those type.

Same DIY, just a different physical casing to deal with.

 

I'm guessing that if I buy the 4 button switchblade to match that remote, and hopefully correct keyblade it should work?
only trying to narrow down as I;m on a few forums and some are saying yea its easy but none saying which parts they've used as all links have expired. and some are American. and I;ve found the switchblades on ebay but are about 30-50 quid which I haven't got to waste at mo

 

Yeah, unfortunately, we can't just give you the model number, since even just in the US, there are several ones for each model year, and it wouldn't surprise me at all if the UK has different ones for EU regulations instead of US's FCC. The model number really does matter and they HAVE to match, so until you have that you aren't going to be able to make any progress.

Fob models are used across Mazda models too though, and perhaps even shared with some Fords, so if you do get your fob's model number, you should be able to find matches with just googling the fob model number itself, not specifying that it is for an RX-8

Do you have the keys in hand for the car?

 

sadly no left deposit for car haven't picked it up yet.
come from citroen saxo, and vag and had the saxo longest and tried all this key stuff but citroen made it so hard to do anything yourself, it seems amazing mazda your able to do this fairly easy ish.

 

no purchased the 04, comes with two keys and 2 fobs similar to the above pic but the red siren button is grey