So yesterday I pulled into the parking lot in my '04 and I released the clutch to quickly and the car stalled and immediately died. Died meaning all dash lights went off and all interior lights and electronics shut off.

However the door ajar light illuminated as I opened my door and the door ajar tone was audible. I tried to restart the car and nothing happens; no dash lights, no swing from the starter, nothing. The power windows, radio are all not working, but the interior lights still work.
I have checked all fuses and they are all ok. I have replaced both terminals and actually had to cut a few of the wires short as there was corrosion down at least 2 inches in each wire. I also installed new connectors. I also cleaned the two ground wires below the airbox.

Prior to this problem my power steering malfunctioned and prior to that my car overheated which was my fault.

Any ideas?

 

Check the main fusable link under the hood. Want to say it is marked like 120A or something. Also have you tried jumping the car?

 

did you charge/change the battery? is the little key blinking on the dash?

 

The battery is about 2 months old...so I almost didn't even consider jumping or charging....will try it today...

 

The battery could gave died or been drained by any number of causes. Always start and work from there.

BTW, not cranking and not starting/firing over are two entirely different things.

 

There is no secret to electrical problems....start at the battery like Team said...and work out from there...YOU HAVE TO DO THE WORK

 

I've done a LOT MORE work than you think. Thanks for the response though. The battery is perfectly fine. My conclusion from doing more research on the internet and doing more tests on the car is that the security system has activated and immobilized the car due to a faulty key. My problem now is that there is no Mazda dealer in my country at all and from what I understand, in order to reprogram the key the deal needs the car or I guess the PCM. Has anyone with this issue had any pick by just sending the PcM and key to a dealer?

 

Reprogramming instructions are in the DIY section...now all you need to do is get a new key.

 

Devil...you have been very helpful. Thanks.

 

Something doesn't seem to add up, but regardless you can only program your own key by starting with a good programmed key which, if the info provided is correct, you don't have ....

 

I had the immobilizer loose the keys on mine.....everything worked except it wouldn't turn over....all the dash lights, headlights..everything...and it had a very prominent security light on the dash

So I think you have something else going on..

Did you check the main relay?

 

Off course bad things happen in 3's...my PS went out, my car is immobilized and now to find out that during the Hurricane yesterday, someone broke into the car...couldn't steal anything...anyway, I am waiting for the CSI people to do their job and once they are finished fingerprinting, I will check to see if I get a code from the blinking security light/key.

After reading some other threads I feel like a fish out of water, as I lost my 2 other keys and the car is not recognizing the last key that I have left. From what I understand I will not be able to reprogram a new key without having 2 workable keys (I will re-read the threads to verify). Where I live, there is only 1 Mazda dealer who does not deal with RX8's. Short of me putting my 8 on a boat to a different territory, my question is this:

Can a dealer reprogram my only key left to my car or Fedex me an already programmed key for my car (using specific details - VIN # etc)? I just spoke to the local Mazda deal (who does not deal with RX8's) and they said they cannot do it but suggested that another dealer would be able to program a key based on my VIN...

???

 

I'm afraid the PCM needs to be programmed to the key...not the other way around

Not sure why the Dealer can't do it..it's the same equipment as the other cars??

 

where are you?

 

Virgin Islands.

 

I don't trust this dealer. Infact in the last 2 years I have stopped dealing with them for anything and have pulled all my company vehicles from being serviced there. Almost ended up in court with them for destroying one of my vehicles. They are the dealer for other vehicle brands, not a main Mazda dealer.

I would press the issue with them, but I just don't trust them to do a good job on anything. I've had nothing but bad service from them.

 

If the dealer has an iDS ( the Mazda PCM programming tool) they can easily it

If there is a Ford dealer there they could do it as well ( same tool)

 

So this is my synopsis:

Inserting my 1 and only key gives me door ajar audible tone (with door open), no sound with door closed...standard. Security Key continues to blink as normal (1 blink every 2 seconds).

Turn key to ACC, no radio. Security Key continues to blink the same (1 blink every 2 seconds).

Turn key to ON - no other dash lights illuminate. If I open the door, the door ajar light illuminates. The security key continues to blink the same.

Swing the key to start, nothing happens (no crank, no click, no lights, nothing) and security key continues to blink the same.

The only working things in the car are: Horn, interior lights, headlights all work.

Checked fuses inside and out.

Did not test relays, which I should have done. Will do so now.

 

So I feel stupid to have to write this, but since this is a site for learning and helping our fellow 8 owners, I will write it.

So my issue was a bit strange. Based on all of my research, I was leaning toward the immobilization system not recognizing my key, however, all persons I've read saying they had this issue, said they had dash lights. But I had no dash lights.

I checked battery, changed terminals, removed corrosion from all ignition wires and battery wires, checked and cleaned ground connections. Checked all fuses inside by driver side and in engine bay. Did not check relays but was about to.

The car is currently started. After reviewing another thread on the same issue (immobilization), a diagram of the wiring of the starting circuit was posted and showed the Main 120A, the IG Key 15A and the ACC 30A Fuses. For the life of me, I couldn't remember checking the IG Key. I pretty much pulled all fuses, but couldn't remember this one (I remember checking the 120A, which requires lifting up the entire fuse block and pulling off the plastic fuse cap and I remember checking the ACC30A). So I went back a few moments ago and pulled it....SURE ENOUGH ITS BLOWN. Somehow I missed this fuse...the one fuse that was blown. Replaced it with a spare from the fuse block in the cabin. The car started and is running great.

I suppose the moral is to ensure that you check one by one and double check again in case you may have missed one.

Thanks for everyone's help. I still have to deal with the EPS failure, but thats been covered in other threads. (Dannobre - thanks for that one last bit of "that doesn't sound right" comment...thats one of the reasons I rechecked plus the diagram).

Thanks.

 

I had the immobilizer problem...I'm glad you didn't It was a PIA to fix...

That was why we were harping at you to start at one end and trace everything

It is really easy to miss a fuse.....and sometimes a fuse will be bad and still not look like it is blown.....those can be fun

Glad you got your car started....Zoom Zoom

 

hey - good to hear! can you point me to this diagram?

i'm having major issues right now and would love to find out it's just a fuse issue!!

 

I knew something wasn't adding up, glad you got it resolved.

 

Here's the diagram:

https://www.rx8club.com/attachment.p...2&d=1273435890