I found old spare remote and after changing battery it worked fine.
So in my case it was broken remote.
The fact that IR/RF remote key tester was showing signal from my broken remote meant nothing.

Hello everyone,

So've I've been having the notorious flashing key light for some time now. None of my remotes work (replaced the batteries) and eventually the car wouldn't start. With the advice of some members on here, I was able to re-register the key and it would start. The thing is, if I leave the car over night and try to start it the next morning it won't start again. I have to re-register the key in order to get it started. Funny thing is that the key works fine all throughout the day but somehow "resets" when I leave the car overnight. I removed the rear bumper to try and clean the rear antenna like many people have done but when I removed it, there was no antenna?!? The only cable there was the one that connected to the license plate light. Is this also used as the rear antenna?? I have a '04 6-speed. Thank you in advance for any help.

Your 04 will not have the antennas. This only applies to cars equipped with the key card entry (proximity). I believe it was only available on '06 on. There are 6 antennas total. Here is a schematic of them with their part numbers.
6630A - BODY RELAYS & UNIT. Fits: Mazda | Jim Ellis Mazda

Is it possible that your battery is starting to go bad?

PaleRider, thank you for response. Its good to know that the '04's didn't have the rear antenna. I was worried my car was missing something.

Do you mean the car battery or the keyless remote battery? The car battery is less than a year old and is fine and I replaced the batteries for both of my keyless remotes and they still don't work. Do the '04 keys themselves have a battery inside them??

I was referring to the car battery. My Jaguar STR and my wifes Jaguar XF has all kinds of electronics in it. When the battery starts to get a little low it will start to cause all kinds of little electronic gremlins. Even though the battery is strong enough to turn the engine over and start it if the battery gets too low it will do strange things like this upon startup.

I know the RX-8 does not have nearly the electronics as the Jags but it is something that is easy to check. It is a shot in the dark but try to put a battery charger on you battery over night and see if this keeps your car from "forgetting" the keys when you go to start it in the morning.

thanks palerider for your input. I charged up the battery today and the key worked fine while i was driving during the day and made a couple of stops. it recognized the key no problem. i parked it at my garage for about 8 hours and just went out to see if it would recognize the key and it didn't. =( i had to re-register the key and started up right away. has ANYONE encountered this problem? i'm totally baffled.

thank you

Is there anyway you can leave the charger on the car while it sits over night to make sure the battery is not discharging some over night?

Could this be a grounding issue?

2004 , 6spd

:( I bought my 8 last week, the remote seemed to work fine when i was driving it home but on the weekend it just stopped... i have 2 remotes both dont seem to take programming. i did the diagnostics test (key on - off 4 times, door switch 3 = doors lock, trunk open, hazards and honk) that went fine... but i try to program either remote (new battery) and nothing happens...

Remove the bumper??
 

Once again, this site is great - I have an 06 Shinka and just started experiencing the red key light after driving it for the first time in the snow about a month ago (it handled great by the way!). I am assuming the snow kicked up into the sensor so I am going to clean it before replacing it.

My dealer confirmed it is the rear antenna under the rear bumper (FE95-67-6N0C) so now I need to take the bumper off. I am not a mechanic so could someone explain in detail how I remove the bumper???

THANKS FOR HELPING ME SAVE SOME CASH - my stupid dealer also wanted to charge me almost $600 to replace the sensor!

here is a diy
https://www.rx8club.com/do-yourself-...removal-34696/

I cleaned the terminals without removing the bumper, reset the battery and for the first 5 minutes, it works and i can open the trunk with the push button. Shortly after it doesn't work and the red light comes back. Does this verify that the antenna behind the bumper is good?

I just replaced the FOB in my smart key hoping that was the issue, but I think I'm experiencing the same thing as you guys. All the buttons on my FOB work fine, but when I get in the car, I cannot turn the ignition knob, and a red KEY flashes on the dash. Valet key works fine. I've tried reprogramming it with the 3 on/off combo, but that didn't help either. Maybe 1 out of 10 times I enter my car the knob will work.

To top it all off, in the previous owner's service history he provided me, he had the rear antenna 67-6N0C replaced, at $300+150 labour in April 2012.

nisaja, if one of the proximity antennas is not being recognized by the car it will not allow the buttons on the door handles to work, but will still allow the car to start withthe card key once inside the vehicle and it is detected by an interior antenna.

When you took off the panels I am willing to bet that one of the antennas came unplugged in one of the doors. I would pull the panels off and make sure the antenna is plugged in. I bet this solves your problem.

I am having a similar problem . Everything works EXCEPT for the driver door button and when pushing the trunk button on the remote it only works when its within a few inches from the trunk. All other buttons work fine and remote works from almost 20 feet away with brand new battery. Any suggestion? Could it possibly be the button itself on the door or the sensor in the door and or rear bumper?

My car had the same problem but it fixed itself. The trunk button is supposed to work only when the remote is a few inches away from the trunk. It won't work a few feet away. There's nothing wrong with that. You said only the driver door button doesn't work. Does the passenger door button work? When you unlock your doors using the remote, do both doors unlock?

The Passenger side button works. It unlocks both doors no problem. I was noticing from going back and forth that the drive side button with the issue the rubber on the button is much harder ( dried out) and feels like nothing is behind. I think my next step will be removing the door panel and seeing whats going on behind it.

I was curious about the sensors. Lets say you had two perfectly operating buttons and sensors. If the remote is on the driver side and someone else pushes the passenger side will detect and unlock? If this is the case I can determine that my driver side sensor is bad or disconnected (fingers crossed).

I just bought this car last week. 2007 GT This is the only issue with the car. I cant complain . I LOVE IT

That sounds like the driver side button is not working. No, when the remote is on the driver side and someone else pushes the passenger side button, the doors WILL NOT unlock. The remote should literally be right next to the button you're pressing for the doors to unlock. However, that does not mean your driver side sensor is bad. That's just how the car works :P You can press the button on the remote and unlock the doors from a distance.

I know man. I just bought mine like a month ago. 2007 as well. Love it to death! :D

mine is doing the same thing I have to check that rear antenna thank you guys

Rear Antenna Module ---- FE95-67-6N0C
 

I am just trying to figure out what and exactly where the module is located.

Is this it?

FE95-67-6N0C

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3768/1...efd9cf58_o.png

ANTENNABKEYLESS from Mazmart.com

Had the same problems: Red key light on dash, button on outside of door wouldn't work, wouldn't autolock.
Solution: Took bumper off and cleaned the antenna and connecters with electrical contact cleaner.
Result: No red key light on dash, button now works, still does not auto lock.

Here's a pic of the said dirty antenna:
http://i58.tinypic.com/2pshwxv.jpg

Auto lock is now working too. :)

Foodstamps...I just cleaned my but still doesnt work. Did you do a batter reset after you clean these contacts?

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7390/...624e8082db.jpg

Need to bump this, having troubles with my 04 similar to these. Key fob stopped working recently along with my locks and courtesy lights. With the key in the ignition everything works fine aside from my fob. When I pull the key out the little key light pops up immediately and shuts power off to my lights and door locks.

Anyone got any input? Tried resetting the key to no luck

battery is dead in the fob.

I'm not sure about the security light, but when my '04 OEM keyfob went bad recently, I changed the battery & it didn't work even though it tested good. It's a common problem.
The switchblade keyfob worked.

Search the "Keyless Entry not working" thread in Series 1 Troubleshooting

i started having problems since last week. i ended up removing the rear bumper and clean sensor. After that it started working for 10 mins then it stopped again. Does this mean i need to order new R-END (bumper sensor)?

Coop2003, I just got in from re-installing my rear bumper from cleaning the sensor and I'm having the same issue. what i have figured out is that when you reconnect the battery it will be green. as soon as you trigger the door sensor (the one that tells if the door is open or closed) it goes back to steady red.

The things that have happened and led to this issue is that my car just got back from the autobody shop to replace hood, FR RH fender and bumper after hitting a deer. During this time, the autobody shop disconnected the battery and the car went into security lock down and could not be started (not even with the safe key). car got towed to mazda to reprogram the keys to clear the security lock out. Once i got the car the smart key was working for 2 days until the red KEY stayed illuminated (even when using safe key and with battery out of smart card).

What i have done so far is:
1. Replace Fob Battery (old one was dead anyways)
2. took off passenger door panel as i figured they removed the door to replace fender.. maybe a lose connection - nada still red KEY
3. check drivers door - hey, who knows!! - Nada still red KEY
4. pull off rr bumper and clean and check sensor - nada still red KEY
5. buy OBD reader - if there is low/no current to antennas there should be a DTC - NO CODE....
6. Pull out the rye and coke and start drinking... this has gotten me stumped

Now if the antenna was bad, i should still get an OBD code right? I dont know what to do anymore. and i sure dont want to take it into mazda... they are ridiculous.. way too many bad experiences.

Do i got to a junk yard and get a set on antennas? Antennas shouldn't go bad... just the connections would go (dirty/corroded/broken wires).

Why does my KEY on dash show Green when i reset the car? is it an ECU issue? Why does it get triggered when the Close/open door sensor is triggered. the buttons on the outside of the car work immediately after car is reset (when Green KEY is also showing) but not once door is triggered (revert back to red KEY).

Ive done a lot of reading and any help would be greatly appreciated. sorry for the lengthy post... i just have not seen all of the detail described in any of the SMART Card issue threads and am hoping someone can connect the dots for me.

To add my two cents, the same thing happened to my car a little over a month ago (red "key" light on dash, none of the external buttons work but the buttons on the key fob still work and can still start the car with the smart key).

I took it in to the dealership, and they said that the rear antenna was kaput. It's mounted behind the rear bumper, which means it's a pain to replace (i.e. remove bumper, remove and replace antenna, replace bumper). The part itself seems to be around $200-$300, depending on where you get it from. The dealership wanted $600 to replace it (my RX-8 is out of warranty), so I took a pass. As annoying as it is, $600 seems really steep for a purely convenience item.

@DC7 i am still having issues and actually i decided to work on it some more yesterday. what i have notice in the past month is that i can turn my car on with out the valet key and drive for awhile, sometimes i get the red flashing "KEY" on the dash. I remember seeing a diagram on where the sensors are placed, so what i would do is put my key fob on top of the dash and the "KEY" would turn back green. This tells me that the problem could be on one of the sensors on the front end.

i think i found out my problem; one day i was letting the car idle, i opened the drivers side door and saw that the red "KEY" on the dash came on. so i did my usual (placing key card on top of the dash) but it didn't work. Then i remembered that there was a sensor right behind the ash tray. So i ended up removing the center console and ash tray and place my card near the sensor and i was able to get green light again. I was able to to repeat this a couple more time. So i think my problem is the sensor on behind the ash tray. I was able to find a used one on ebay for $20. Now i gotta wait for it to arrive to see if my findings were correct.


On a side note: i don't know if the OBDII will pick up a low current fault on the sensors, because i have scanned my car as well and didn't pick anything up.

@Coop2003
Sounds like a Low battery in the Smart Key. that or to close to a cellular appliance. Check the voltage of the battery in the key. if its 2.8 or below then this is most likely the issue.

My issue i guess is a bit different. its a solid red KEY on dash. and its on even when i use the safe key.

Also its weird that the OBDII isnt picking up the faults. there's a B code for these sensors.

@dc7 I was able to have your condition simply by removing on of the sensors and got the solid "red KEY" when I used the valet key. I also scanned the car with out throwing any codes and still had the solid red KEY light. So maybe for you is a bad sensor??

Posted From RX8Club.com Android App

The OBD-II reader typically reads the P codes only. The B "Body" codes can only be read by high end professional units.
I have the same problem, and I got my hands on a pro-reader and it came out as B1131. This is the code for the rear bumper antenna that is behind the bumper (not the one inside the trunk. No amount of cleaning could fix it. It simply needs to be replaced to work again.

As to why it goes green for awhile but then goes to red after a battery reset, I have experienced this as well during my own diagnostics. Right when you reconnect batter, everything works the first time. After a shut off, and restart, it will fail again. This is probably the initial check out of the whole smart key system so the security is more lax initial when it's trying out the different antennas on the car to make sure they're all working. once it determines one isn't working, the system locks down, and you can't use any of the buttons outside the car anymore. hwoever you can still use the buttons on the key card and start your car normally. It's just the way it works.

It's common for the rear antenna to go, but before forking out the cash, I'd recommend you get your hands on a pro reader to get the B code. The free reading services by Part source (I'm in canada) are basic models and they can't read it. Most can't, you really need a professional level one to get to the B codes.

Confirm your B code and then buy the proper part.

:ylsuper::smoker::yesnod::boink::icon_tup::wiggle: :beer05:

Update 2:

NOT REAL A REAL FIX. Read below :(

Original:

I've had the "red key" light for 2 years. External buttons don't work, and the card remote is flakey.

A new (car) battery was my 100% fix. The battery had always been strong enough to easily start the car at any temperature. I didn't have any clue that something was wrong. New battery, and all key functions work again. Green key light. Nice.

Perhaps a weakness in the battery wouldn't let the system initialize properly. After all, the system boots up on battery power before it gets full alternator power.

red KEY light on dash, keyless entry antenna location
 

Sound s like an easy solve. Congrats!

Ahhhh FFS.

It came back. I'm pretty sure I just reset the code/fault with the battery change, and then it came back. And it must be a "sticky" code, due to its behavior of happening, and then absolutely never working after the fact. Time for a proper diagnosis.

Red KEY lit on dashboard for a few days
 

2007 RX-8 GT.
Several days ago I tried using my remote for the first time in a few years after having changed the battery in it a couple months ago. There had been no problems with the car but I just thought I'd check out the remote functions. The remote worked fine, however after using it once the automatic door lock would not work and pressing the buttons on the doorhandles would also not work. And the red KEY indicator was lit up solid on the dashboard. I had to use the remote to unlock and lock the doors otherwise the car started and drove fine. Something I noticed was that the little red light on the remote would blink when I opened the door and blink again when I closed it. I searched these forums and didn't really find any good info except to go to the dealer which I thought I would do next month when I take my car in to get the airbag recall work done. After a few days the problem simply went away all on its own and is still working the way it used to.

So..
Went through a touch-less car wash leaving engine running. Got home and the doors did not lock when I walked away from the car. Used the remote to lock. Next day had to use the remote to unlock instead of the button on outside of door. Started engine and red KEY light was on. Still that way after a few days. So am guessing water got somewhere it shouldn't.
Additionally over the past winter I had a case of Diet Coke explode from being frozen. I took out as many of the frozen bits as I could at the time but of course some remained and would've melted into somewhere. I think some got into the tool bin right at the very back of the trunk. Any tips on what might be the problem? I understand there is an antenna somewhere back there?

I'm having the issue with the red KEY light and I searched but couldn't find the answer to two questions.

1) can I use the antenna intended for another location to replace that one? don't they all do the same thing? eg: buy one for the drivers side door (outside) and put it in place of the rear one, or try the one from inside the trunk, see if it will work in place of the outside sensor.

2) what should the resistance be for the antenna? I tested mine, the leads on their own (closed loop w the tester) read 0.3 and the antenna read 1.0. so, higher yes, but its not like its completely gone. resistance of 0.7.

This is an awesome thread with most information I have found on the internet related to this issue. Needless to say I have the same issue with red light and the call button on doors and trunk non responsive. I have a 07 RX8 GT with the keyless remotes.I have tried to clean the antenna connector for the antenna behind the bumper and has not resolved the problem. I do think I need to go back and clean with contact cleaner (which I plan to do soon). I also have had a annoying battery drain problem since I bought this car in 2010. The stock radio had some pull, so I have replaced with an aftermarket. The drain problem is still an issue. I noticed that the drain issue is resolved if I remove a fuse related to keyless entry (and few other systems). Now I am wondering if there is a short from the antenna through the car body that then causes issues with the antenna working properly. Has anyone tested these two issues together? Has anyone had battery drain problems along with the antenna issues? Thanks!

Re-did cleaning and put everything back. Problem is not resolved but found something more interesting. The car battery reset does make the system work until I open the trunk (with any means) and close the trunk. As soon as i close the trunk, system goes down and red key light is back on with all the same symptoms. This is weird. Anyone have the same issue? I am starting to think it is the antenna under the bumper. However, do want to know if any other antenna (much cheaper) can be used to replace this on. Is there anything different other than the connector that is different between all the antennas?

I ordered replacement part from Mazdaswag. Replaced it today. Everything is back to normal. It was the sensor under the rear bumper. It is clearly a bad part as captured by so many in this thread. $300 fix, but happy that my car is back to normal.. :)

Just throwing this one out there for you Series 1 guys....

There is also a strong possibility that some of the shorting can be the Wiring Loom that goes through the underside of boot lid (sorry Trunk lid).
Over time and use of the Trunk Lid the wiring which goes to the Centre Brake Lamp (in middle of lid) shorts, it can be intermittent and obviously only when you put foot on Brake Pedal.

The Wiring Loom has been modified and strengthened...
So for guys still having this issues after antenna behind Bumper is renewed, have a look at this loom, technically it should not be the issue, but it can produces a ground issue.

F151-67-06YC, about $50
https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-tro...-143809/page3/

It's an easy fix that could take anywhere for 15 to 20 minutes. Although it took me about a week to figure this out. Most of the time it's an issue with the rear antenna because it is located outside of the car. The company that makes the antennas went a little cheap on the plug design. It was crimped and soldered poorly and even though it has rubber seals it still corrodes where the wires connect to the plug so it will look as if nothing is wrong. If your alright with cleaning the plug and re soldering the connection go for it. But if you want a quick fix so that it will never happen again relocate it to the trunk.
Dummy proof directions
After removing internal trunk covers and rear bumper (Rear Bumper not necessary if you buy new antenna from ebay or anywhere any should work I used a spare trunk antenna)
Step 1: Follow the Pink and Brown Wires back inside the trunk. When standing looking in to the trunk they should appear on the left side.
Step 2: Cut the Pink and Brown wires and strip the ends of the wires.
Step 3: Do the same for the antenna. ***Do not cut the wires too close to the antenna make sure you have as much wire as possible sticking out of it***
Step 4:Connect the Pink and White wires together with a wire nut
Step 5:Connect the Brown and Black wires together with a wire nut
Step 5 1/2: If you want you can connect it to a ground. It will still work even if its not.
Step 6: Test to see if it works. (It should work right away if not you may need to pull the 30amp fuse to reset).
Step 7: put everything else back together and you should be good to go. If it didn't fix the problem it is possible that one of the other antennas is bad.https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx8...7889bbf805.jpg
This is how mine looks after I fixed the problem

my left brake light has a bad connection somewhere but isn't blowing fuses in my 04 6sp mt

∩__∩∩∩∩∩∩____ = Communication error between the keyless control module and the PCM (no response or mismatched conditions)

???

/\ I would check the obvious, as in the globes, sorry not certain without doing some EPC searching/checking, make certain the Brake Globe is OK and you are using the correct type, I guess in S1 it is Dual Filament (one for Park lamp the other for Brake and are staggered pins.

Sorry my S2 has factory LED's for Brake Lamps...

Just make certain the Globe is correct.

Also are you using any LED globes, Anywhere?, watch-out as some brands and style of LED's are defective to use straight out of the box.

On my NC2 MX-5 (Miata) a few days ago I tried installing small LED Licence Plate Globes (easy to do and they worked) but straight away as soon as I put foot on Brake my Dash lights blinked with Radio lights and all that was OFF and I got a buzzing sound under dash.
I returned Licence Plate Lamp globes back to original and everything was back to normal...!!

So LED's can cause all sorts of issues.

wow man I just swapped all my interior led's for these:
BLUE LEDS

I also put two in the the front lights. I guess the aux lights?

Im sorry I wasn't exactly clear before. It isn't the big globe light it is one of the smaller lights in the brake light housing.
Ill check em anyway.


I shorted my immobilizer by trying this

mod HERE

I put the wire on the wrong switch prong. It wasn't going to work anyway because my number 2 fan was dead

Im thinking I might have to disconnect my key modules receiver or transmitter

KEYLESS RECEIVER INSPECTION

KEYLESS UNIT INSPECTION

Hello all. I have an 08. I've got the red key light on. I just had my mechanic check codes and the only code was a p1260, but the car still starts fine. I just can't use any of the exterior lock buttons. Battery and alternator also tested fine. I pulled the rear bumper yesterday and cleaned the rear antenna with electric parts cleaner. Made no difference. Any thoughts? If I had a bad antenna would it show some sort of code? Also I have changed the fob Battery twice.

There are some diagnostic tests you can DIY in this thread.
The flashing key is sometimes related to the immobilizer system.
https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-do-...utputs-155947/

Ok, I tried that. The car icon with the key symbol in the left gauge cluster illuminates then goes out. So I guess that part is showing no defects.

Few other things I noticed tonight,
If I walk away from the car with it running, it beeps at me. So it's still detecting the fobs location I assume? Also the fob will not work, ie lock doors or pop trunk with the car running.