shazy

Okay so basically this has been an ongoing problem ever since I got the car back from the garage 2 months ago.
But in the last month the immobilizer sign keeps popping up intermittently right before I start the car but when I put the key it turns off the second I start the car.

I have a 2004 Rx-8 manual with 70k km or 45k miles. Garage got me a battery and replaced my blown tranny.

Sometimes my car will start when I hold the key in the start position for a couple seconds and the light dims away.

It gets worse and worse and recently my car wouldnt start at all and got it towed to the dealer. But when I came to get it the next day it the light was off and started with no problem or hesitation and they didn't even check the car!

Now just yesterday my car did the same problem again and won't start at all. I've tried everything, the brake pedal thing, removing the battery, fiddled with everything possible. nothing.

Is it possible for the dealership to remove the anti-theft system? I really don't need it and it's such a pain in the *** as well....
And what the hell can I do to eleviate this stupid problem?

Tried the normal key and the valet key and no luck too. Don't think the keys are de-magnitized or lost it's code either.

Seriously need some help as this is my daily driver and can't use the other car much longer.
thanks in advance

EDIT: Alright almost 10 years later and I completely forgot to indicate how I got this fixed lmao. I got the RB race tune (I gutted the catalytic converter) and it DISABLED the immobilizer and no longer had any issues. The issue stemmed from the key fob itself, if I used the key to unlock/lock the car there would be no issues. But once I used the key fob it would create this problem. With the tune it all went away. Sorry about that.

shazy

So after 5 hours of leaving my car alone the light finally went away.... but what the **** is the problem, is something not grounded properly? where should I even look?... for sure there is some communication error.

shazy

bump
seriously no one knows?

StealthTL

iTrader: (1)

You could contact RB, they have a tune program (RB RENV.2) that can remove the security key check on an '04, but it's $300 US and you need to send them your ECU.....

I have one that's been flashed, it's also a nice tune.

I would start with a check of all the connectors at the ECU, and the grounds right behind it.
Loosen and clean the grounds - after 9 years in PQ, they may be badly corroded.

shazy

I was planning to do that tomorrow as that could be the case.
Saving up for the Cobb AP right now as well
but is it possible for the dealership to remove that feature? I would call but they are closed until tuesday because of the Quebec holiday...

Goofy

Arise, damned creature of darkness, arise!

I've got the dealer looking at my car for this same issue right now. If they can't figure it out I'm going to clean and replace my negative battery lead (replaced my positive recently) and see if I can clean my ECU ground.

Dealer claims there is absolutely no way for them to disable the immobilizer.

Update: my PCM relay is dying - it overheats. The dealership is cleaning grounds and putting in a new relay.

Update again: '05 Base, MT with 105k miles.

nlsolja123

Any update on the fix?

BigCajun

iTrader: (1)

You realize the last post was nearly 2 years ago?

Pochy

If someone knows a way to fix this immobilizer problem please share.

I have done everything I could think of until I checked online about the red key icon. My radio and electrical systems light up but the car won't turn. I just bought the keyshell to replace the old keys and I replaced the guts in the new shell with the keys of the original key.

I hate to think that only the dealer can fix this.

BigCajun

iTrader: (1)

I had this problem recently.
My issue occurred a few weeks after I installed the BHR ignition.
One of the coil wires shorted out against the engine lift bracket, blowing the engine fuse.
Check your fuses first.
There is an immobilizer diagnostic test which can narrow it down also, it's a sequence of key light flashes.
I don't remember where I found it, but if you search "RX8 Club immobilizer diagnostic test", you should be able to find it.
Good luck!

Pyrium

BigCajun,

Have you heard of this happening with the stock ignition connectors by the lift point? How did you reset it? Did you just follow the keep your foot on the brake with the key in the on position while someone unplugs the battery?

BigCajun

iTrader: (1)

I'm not sure what you mean.
I haven't heard of stock coils being a problem as far as causing shorts or fuses to blow.
The problem with mine was a shorted wire after I installed the BHR kit. I took the engine bracket off to eliminate the possibility of it happening again.
Once the short was eliminated, everything was fine.
There's no special procedure that I'm aware of other than resetting the traction control if the battery was disconnected

Pyrium

It's not my traction control. I was in motion and the immobilizer turned my car off. I replaced the ignition coils the day before without issue. I replaced my battery and terminals because they were corroding (I bought the RX-8 used) today and the 15a engine fuse. But she won't even crank. I have not had any issues at all until she died on me. When I turn the key to on the Immobilizer light just flashes rapidly. I also have two keys. One of the switch blade looking ones and a standard black Mazda key.

nycgps

iTrader: (1)

Once your car started, Immobilizer cannot just "turn" your car off.

You have a problem else where, most likely short somewhere causing this.

RotaryFred

I have the same issue and I suspect the wrong battery mixed with humidity/weather (it does it only when it's wet out)

menglish01

Mine had the same problem. The dealership had had it in the shop for 4 weeks, with 2 techs (the second employed there 20 years) working to find out why the pcm randomly sometimes recognizes the transponder, yet other times it doesn't. After 4 weeks of trying everything they could think of, they turned the car back over to me and basically told me I'm out of luck.

They said they pulled every grounding wire one at a time and cleaned and reconnected them. They first thought it needed a new PCM, and after replacing that, the problem didn't fix. Then they replaced the part of the computer that responds to the key fob. That didn't work either. The resolution they came to was that there must be a short in the main cluster of wires. Each wire would need to be individually tested until the problem was found. That could take FOREVER!

I refuse to believe that the PCM cannot be reprogrammed to bypass the need for the immobilizer. It's a computer! Someone said it's illegal for Mazda or anyone else to do it? That's what people were saying when hackers were jail breaking iPhones, and then Apple lost a law suit which stated that once the phone [computer] was purchased, the owner could do anything they wanted with it. I'll sign a release if they're so worried.

The creator of a work-around/reprogramming/flash could make a LOT of money from me and everyone else that is having this problem!!!

Hoodster

Hey StealthTL,

Original owner of 04' 6 speed, car recently died on the highway and cannot start again. Towed to mechanic and they did the flash and said Immobilizer module has failed and have ordered a new one. Rapid non stop key flashing light as well.

I got the RB RENV.2 flash in 2013. Does that remove the Immobilizer function altogether or just the security key check?

Thanks

Lilshane Allen

[QUOTE=shazy;4292596]Okay so basically this has been an ongoing problem ever since I got the car back from the garage 2 months ago.
But in the last month the immobilizer sign keeps popping up intermittently right before I start the car but when I put the key it turns off the second I start the car.

I have a 2004 Rx-8 manual with 70k km or 45k miles. Garage got me a battery and replaced my blown tranny.

Sometimes my car will start when I hold the key in the start position for a couple seconds and the light dims away.

It gets worse and worse and recently my car wouldnt start at all and got it towed to the dealer. But when I came to get it the next day it the light was off and started with no problem or hesitation and they didn't even check the car!

Now just yesterday my car did the same problem again and won't start at all. I've tried everything, the brake pedal thing, removing the battery, fiddled with everything possible. nothing.

Is it possible for the dealership to remove the anti-theft system? I really don't need it and it's such a pain in the *** as well....
And what the hell can I do to eleviate this stupid problem?

Tried the normal key and the valet key and no luck too. Don't think the keys are de-magnitized or lost it's code either.

Seriously need some help as this is my daily driver and can't use the other car much longer.
thanks in advance[/QUOTE

so i just had this same issue and dead silence no starter nothing just a eletrical click and rapid blinking anti theft light well i was chevking relays and fuses accidently broke the top off the ig relay i think it was and had my buddy push his finger down on it and security light went off fuel pump kicked on and i could hear my sensor click on inder the hood didnt try to start it like that just getting a new relay but it turned off my rapid blinking anti theft light dealer **** was wanting almost a thousand because i dont have a second key and the seemed to think it was all failty and my key was wiped out and probably would have charged me for all of that and figured out the relay last. Hope this can help some rx8 owners.

Lilshane Allen

so i just had this same issue and dead silence no starter nothing just a eletrical click and rapid blinking anti theft light well i was chevking relays and fuses accidently broke the top off the ig relay i think it was and had my buddy push his finger down on it and security light went off fuel pump kicked on and i could hear my sensor click on inder the hood didnt try to start it like that just getting a new relay but it turned off my rapid blinking anti theft light dealer **** was wanting almost a thousand because i dont have a second key and the seemed to think it was all failty and my key was wiped out and probably would have charged me for all of that and figured out the relay last. Hope this can help some rx8 owners.

The Profiteer

Dealing with exactly the same problem, my ABS/DSC light came on for 1st time 3 days before Immobilizer lock down kicked in and that was after a 120 mile drive back from a wedding in PA last Sunday.

Cars dead on the street outside my apt in Brooklyn and about to get my 2nd $45 parking ticket of the week tomorrow. F**king wonderful!

I ordered 4 x of these new relays (factory ones are baby blue - Part #W0133-1755842-OES) and 3 x of these (factory ones are black with "N.O DC 12V Japan" - Part #B115-67-730) and am praying that a simple switch after a read with the multimeter will do the trick.

After extensively reading threads on this forum I also see mention of a 15A engine fuse also being a possible culprit, can anyone elaborate?

I had this happen a few years back and had it towed to the stealership to diagnose. After digging around for the service report I see that it states the following;

"45274 No start, Security light flashing 1.00 checked, no cranks. Scanned for codes, IDS was not able to communicate with PCM. Found fuse powers to the PCM was blown. Installed new fuse, vehicle runs ok at this time. Note, MIL is on when 1st started with codes P0037 and P0138 O2 Sensor and longer crank."

In his infinite wisdom the mechanic did not notate the exact 'PCM fuse' he changed (I know that there is no fuse officially designated as PCM fuse on the inner fuse box lid diagram).

99% sure its the same issue, wondering if anyone can help with the following;

1) Ascertaining which fuse(s) may be being referenced/likely suspects
2) Any 8 owners in the NYC area that might be willing/able to help this weekend - willing to compensate for any assistance of course.

Looking for some love from the 8 community. Thanks in advance for any help anyone can offer.

mikebrow74

Just had this come up on my '04. Never had a problem previously. Drove fine and I stopped for fuel, filled it up, got back in the car, cranked it, fired right up and ran for about 3 seconds and died. No cranking, no dash lights, no radio, or power windows. Headlights work and the immobilizer light now flashes, but not what I would call rapidly. Neither of 2 keys will crank it.

I see that there is a transponder receiver ring at the lock cylinder with two wires to it. It's not difficult to access. I suppose this transmits the particular key signal to the PCM for interpretation and is not by-passable by simply jumping the wires. Has anybody had this receiver ring go out? What else can be diagnosed?

BigCajun

iTrader: (1)

See the section on the immobilizer system in this thread;

https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-do-...utputs-155947/

NotAPreppie

If you aren't getting dash lights but are getting headlights then you should check your ignition key fuse.

The Profiteer

Hey MikeBrow74,

So the follow up, I actually had mine flat bedded to my local official Mazda service center, who did me a solid as I'd dropped a G with them about 6 weeks prior. Long and short, there is a small square in the ignition column that connects to the main wiring harness, (sorry don't have part number or technical name) it costs $60 (not sure on labor as they did it on the house for me, less the part cost). I have the official service diagnostics and records, I'll post here later tonight and maybe you can either go from there yourself if you have the technical no how, or ask Mazda to start here and hopefully save you on the diagnostics cost.

mikebrow74

Problem located and resolved. Fuse #22 IG KEY was blown. I do not know what would have caused this and as previously noted it happened just a few seconds after a warm restart after fueling. I'll just keep a spare handy in the future.