Keyless Entry Not Working
 

As title says. It just worked yesterday, and I when went to unlock the doors today it doesn't do anything. The panic button, unlock/lock button, and trunk release button won't work. Tried to change the battery and still won't respond. Transmitter gone bad? Blown fuse? Thanks in advance.

did you ever find out what was wrong? i have the same problem. dealer said itd be 145 to look into it, and then itll cost some more to get it replaced or what not. im like... wtff fk that id rather buy a Viper alarm system and put it in myself. that shit's stupid.

After you change the battery, you apparently have to reprogram the remote. I just bought a used 04 RX8 and the guy that I bought it from said all the remote needed was a new battery and to be reprogrammed. I think his remote is actually broken though since reprogramming didn't work and he just lied to me. Nevertheless, here's how to reprogram!

1. Make sure all doors are closed (trunk and hood too)
2. Open the driver door and keep it open
3. Sit in the car and put the key in the ignition (in the off position)
4. Now (driver door is still open) you will have to do the following three steps within 24 seconds...
5. Turn the key to On position (don't actually start it), then back Off. Do this step 3 times in a row (on-off on-off on-off)
6. Now find the little rubber nob on the inside of the car where the driver door closes onto. Its the rubber thing that pushes in and tells the car that the door is closed, should be by your left elbow. Push that in three times in a row.
7. The doors should lock and unlock a couple of times. When they stop, press a key on your remote twice! Most people use the unlock button.
8. Now pull the key out of the ignition and the remote should be programmed.

Unfortunately it didn't work for me. I might take it into Mazda and have them see what it needs (maybe the car's receiver is broken, who knows!). One thing you can do apparently is go into AutoZone and have them test your remote to see if it is emitting a frequency. That tells you that the remote is at least functioning! I'm trying that tonight. And I'm buying new wiper blades, the douche I bought the car from has one broken one and one not working well... Ugh.

Anyone have any more info for the key fob remotes going bad? I tried the above process and got the car door locks to "lock & unlock" at the end of the steps, but neither of my remotes had any success afterwards.

For what it's worth, I did notice my remotes becoming a little slower to work over the last month or so. Now they are both inoperable. New batteries in both.

hey man. i also tried the above steps. didnt work. go to autozone and they have this thing beside the cash registers where you turn this black box on and then hit a button on your remote, and if your remote is working properly, a light will light up on the black box screen. try that. and if it doesnt light up green then you know your transmitter is broke. i went to autozone and did it and the green light came on. so therefore it was my receiver (in car) that was broke or burnt out or whatever. mazda wanted too much to fix it. they always do...greedy fucks. anyways hope that helps, its alot easier than it sounds.

Thanks Jake, I'll try them today.

no prob dude

look for a remove rear bumper thread, once you are able to remove it. Clean the little black box with the wire going into it, should be pretty easy to locate since its the only black box. That is the rear antenna and it gets pretty dirty. From all I have read on this problem that seems to be the most common fix.

^never even heard of that one...ill try that today. thanks

I can't say I've ever heard of that either. It would be nice to know it's a sure thing before I pulled the rear bumper off. :eek:

Its in this thread

https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-trouble-shooting-95/red-key-light-dash-keyless-entry-antenna-location-165856/

Not saying this is a for sure cure, just that people seem to have a lot of success doing it. I need to as well but have given up working on my huge hunk of junk

^thanks for the link man...ill check it out as soon as i actually give a shit about throwing in more time into my car as well

I had the same problem, I got a new battery and had to reprogram the remote in order for it to work. If you tried that I would assume that the fob is bad.

well i know the FOB works because i tested the signal strength and it came back good...has to be the receiver or something in that category im guessing

I have the same problem... What if I just got a keyless system??? I saw one for 80 bucks that may work????

same problem here, i replaced the battery in my old fob and nothing, then i bought a brand new fob online and still nothing.

i noticed a few weeks before the old fob stopped responding that the signal strength started being very weak, i was almost certain it must be the battery, but you guys say the black box thing is the receiver for the signal?

you know I keep searching for this problem and found no solution. I will be taking off my rear bumper to try and clean the receiver box and if that doesn't work im taking it to mazda under warranty. I know %100 it is not the FOB itself malfunctioning.

I had the dealer glance at mine while the car was in for other service. My hope was, they would check the fobs and see they were okay, then diagnose where the problem was. No luck, they called back and said, "You need a new key fob". :( As I explained that the THIRD key fob already purchased wouldn't work either! He just said, "Hhhmmm".

So they weren't much help. Now I'm sure, if I were willing to ask for more diagnostics (@ $90/hr), they would find something... else.

Typical mazda dealership lol. i'll update this as soon as I get some progress on what the problem is

Okay so im going to the stearlship in the near month. questions - should I have them run the Mazda-Modular Diagnostic System for my fob? Or am I better off buying a switchblade key and reprogramming it that way? Still haven't tried to take my bumper off and clean the black box but if all else fails then ill resort to that.

Good luck. I'd like to see someone get some resolution to these problems.

If you have a 2004, then LUCK is on your side. Ditch the keychain FOB, I would suggest you consider the switchblade FOB; the dealer can tinker with both FOBs by using their M-MDS but you will have better luck and pay less reading the threads below if you can follow simple instructions: DIY: Code Your Own Key Remote, Switchblade Key on an '04.

Yepp, just bought a switchblade (KPU41788). Thanks for the info man :) ill let you know if I can program it correctly.

You are welcome, it's very easy. If you come accross a problem, just post in the linked threads and many others who had success will help and offer you help.

Got it cut for free by my locksmith next door, also the program went successful first try! Thanks again Grace I really appreciate the help :icon_tup: