Quick question for 04 owners who have Upgraded to 05 Retractable Key
 

There is a fellow RX8 friend of mine who has an extra 2005 retractable key that he does not need but before I buy it off him I want to make sure it will work for me...

The key is brand new, still in plastic wrapper but it is already cut. He told me that I can buy a new blank from the dealer and just have them switch the actual key from his fob. Then have the fob re-programed and the new blank cut to fit my car.

Is this true?

I called the dealer to ask them but as always their answer was not very clear. The person in the parts department told me that yes, I can buy just the silver key part ($34.99) and have it cut, but that because the rx8 keys have chips in them, that it still wouldn't work. He said "we've tried it before."

I've read a number of DIY threads on the board that list ways of reprogramming fobs and keys. If I buy this off this guy, will I be able to buy just the silver part (the actual key itself) and replace it from the existing one that sits currently in the fob? Will I be able to reprogram both the key and the fob?

Thanks in advance!!

I didnt know their was a new retractable key..? Can u post a pic of it?

Thank You!

to answer your questions, yes, you can buy your friend's remote, buy a key blank and put it on the new remote. have the key cut. then program the remote to work with your 2004. i believe you'll need two remotes and two keys to program your new remote. don't pay a dealer to do it. the diy is on here and it's simple. good luck.

I did that exactly and it works very well.

You need 2 keys, and one of them cannot be valet key.
and then you don't need 2 remotes extra, you just have to have all remotes present and program them at the same time when you do the new one.

REMOTE PROGRAMING

Get in the car and be sure all the doors and the trunk are shut

Open the drivers side door.

Insert the key into the ignition

(complete the following three steps within 24 seconds)

Repeat this three times...turn the key to the "on" then "off". Run the key from on to off...not acc.

Do not remove the key from the ignition.

Push the drivers side door switch three times.

(This is the small black button on the 'B' pillar - the one that turns the inside lights on when you open the door)

Listen for the door locks to cycle.

(If the door locks don't cycle wait 40 seconds and start all over again...you missed a step or did it wrong)

Push any button on the transmitter twice. Transmitter (press any button twice) means the one new to the vehicle...not one you already have.

(door locks should cycle)

Repeat for any other transmitters.






KEY REGISTRATION CODING

1. Have an additional key (key 3) ready for registration.

2. Using key 1, turn the ignition switch to the ON position.

3. Verify that the security light illuminates for approx. 3 s and then goes out.

4. Using key 1, turn the ignition switch to the LOCK position within approx. 4 s after the security light goes out.

5. Remove key 1

6. Repeat Steps 2-5 using key 2.

7. Repeat Steps 2-5 using key 3.

8. If additional keys need to be registered, repeat Steps 1-7 in the same manner as key 3.

Geez, a lot of steps. I just kept waiting for a do-si-do to appear ;) Good to know we can reprogram!

Thanks for the replies! I still have my original 2 keys and 2 remotes that came with the car. How do I know if any are valet?

How do you remove the key from the fob on the 05 keys? Where is the best place to have the new key cut?

the plastic on the valet key is grey. The regular ones are black.

To remove the old key, u need to use a tweezer or something thin and poke the side of the remote to push out the old key. Then insert the new key and it will click into place.

perfect! I will let everyone know how it goes...

where can i buy the new retractable key?! how much and does the dealer offer it also? thanks guys!

yes.

Get the key from one of our vendors or your dealer. Its easy to program as long as you have at least 2 other keys and 2 other remotes. If not you'll need the dealer to do it.

To get a new uncut key I've seen the retractables for as much as $200.

On the other hand I have seen used already cut keys for around $50 on eBay.

ok sorry if im not understanding this correctly, when i got my car a week ago, i was only able to get 1 key and no remotes so im looking at buying 1 of the flip keys from mazdaparts as both a 2nd key and a remote. so with what i have there is no way to program it myself, i have to pay the dealer to do it? i mean it seems to me i could do the steps above except for the part where i only have 1 working key and the new 1 would need to be programmed. you have to have 2 already working keys to program a new 1?

Yeah, you need multiple remotes to prove that you are the owner of the vehicle to reprogram. Otherwise, if you let someone borrow your car, they can dupe ur remote easily and then steal your car.

This will probably seem odd, but the retractable key was the only reason I opted for the 2005 model instead of the 2004. I know this is kinda off topic here, but last night was the first time I accidentally used my headlight washers! It was soooo fun!! I know...lame...

If you have a grinder, you can go to a lock-smith shop and pay $3.00 for them to cut you a regular key. Then use the grinder to make the end of the key That fits into the FOB. Total time 30 min. I did it because the local dealer wanted $49.00 for the key.

Another quick question...

How do you take the actual key off of the 2005 FOB? (just the part that retracts)

I just received my 05 key in the mail and I dont want to force it in a way it shouldn't and break something.

Thanks! :)