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.....WARNING.... Now these RX-8's are old, DO NOT go out any buy USED Ignition, Instrument Clusters, Immobiliser Units, PCM/ECU's or Switch-Blade Keys or Credit Card Keys as Virtually ALL of them MUST Be Configured with Mazda IDS (Dealer Only) and are Originally Factory Configured to the Original car use ONLY with Original cars VIN Number and OTHER Details so ANY Second Hand Units will NOT work, UNLESS it is Identical (internallyand externally) to the Original Parts Used and can be Re-configured and Initialised with and by the Genuine Mazda IDS (Integrated Diagnostic System) and your cars 'As Built Data'.
When you Introduce Used or Old Part Modules like Instrument Cluster (IC) and or PCM/ECU and or Immobiliser Unit and or Switchblade Key from a model that DOES NOT originally take that EXACT Part Number Version all sorts of NIGHTMARES will occur and wasting of your cash.
Each of these Module Parts (IC, PCM, IMMO, Key Transponder /Module/ Key-Card) constantly communicates with each other, they verify your cars security integrity and log details, IF ANY ONE of these Parts are Incompatible or Defective or not Configured correctly then you will not get car Engine to Start and or stay running (drive-able) or it may stay in Limp Mode.
IN the End, ONLY install correct Parts for your RX-8, buying 'cheap new stuff' (Keys) on eBay/Amazon/Online or USED as they may look the same externally but electronics inside are not the same as cars original and many will Never work...it is a gamble.
GENUINE MAZDA IDS WILL ONLY CONFIGURE TO YOUR CARS ORIGINAL 'AS BUILT DATA' VIN Number Details, IT WILL NEVER ALTER or CHANGE FACTORY SETTINGS, Unless User owns specific Hacking Hardware/Software and skills to alter this Code yourself. No MAZDA DEALER has the ability to Change these Code Settings or Hack Settings with Mazda IDS, Mazda IDS will not allow them to and they just do not do it anyway.
ALL Series RX-8 Keys (for replacement) and or the separate Key Modules/Transmitters.
Keys (Blanks or Spare)...
There are a total of 3 different Style and Type of replacement Primary Keys or Key BLANKS (uncut).
Series I RX-8's there are the 3 different Keys.
#1.. used up to July 1, 2004 Production uses the old style straight type one piece Primary Key with a separate Button Transmitter.
#2.. from July, 2004 the current Switch Blade or Retractable Key Blade was born which DOES NOT include *Transmitter, this is purchased separately.
#3.. Card Type Keys used with the Advance Key-less Entry System (AKE).
Series II RX-8’s also use the same # 2 (Retractable Key*) and # 3 Card Keys for AKE.
*Key Transmitters (or Senders) for all Switch Blade-Retractable Keys are sold separately
the correct type depends if your car has Burglar Alarm or without a Burglar Alarm.
VIN Number REQUIRED.
Transponders.....
Series I there are 4 different types (expensive) Key Transponder/Receiver Modules (Black Boxes).
VIN Number REQUIRED, also with or without Burglar Alarm.
Series II there are 3 different types (expensive) Key Transponders/Receiver Modules (Black Boxes).
VIN Number REQUIRED, also with or without Burglar Alarm.
Receivers or Antenna .......
(located in strategic positions all around car.)
Series I there are up to 12 different Receivers (most for the AKE).
VIN Number REQUIRED.
Series II there are 7 different Receivers (most for the AKE).
VIN Number REQUIRED.
Series I there are 3 different types Antenna Coils which are located within Steering Wheel Ignition Switch/Lock.
VIN Number REQUIRED.
Series II there are 3 different types Antenna Coils which are located within Ignition Switch/Lock area.
VIN Number REQUIRED.
‘AKE’ means Advance Key-less Entry (usually Push Button or Turn **** to Start Car, with no turn Key used).
WARNING:...Be careful when ordering non OEM Keys or Key Transmitters (from internet, like eBay) as some will not work correctly with Transponders/Transmitters.
If any of the many Receivers (say one of the 7 of 12) are inoperative then a non working AKE can occur, or check the Button Battery FIRST.
AKE issues usually can only be resolve by a Mazda Dealer or by a person who has IDS/MMDS use for diagnosis and can plug diagnostics into your car.
IF you believe a ‘Transponder Module’ has burnt out or is the problem, then again ONLY a Mazda Dealer or user of Mazda IDS can re-program renewed Module(s) together with all Keys required as an alpha/numeric 'out-code' and 'in-code' is required for security reasons, without this Transponder will not work and car will not start... This applies to all Mazda’s which use Engine Immobiliser, etc.
IF YOU ARE CERTAIN YOUR RX-8 HAS NOT BEEN PREVIOUSLY ALTERED QUOTE FULL VIN NUMBER TO ANY MAZDA DEALERSHIP PARTS DEPARTMENT AND THEY CAN TELL YOU EXACTLY THE CORRECT MAZDA PART NUMBER AND PRICE FOR THE OE BRAND NEW PART.
SWITCH-BLADE KEY NOT WORKING 'BEFORE or AFTER' KEY COIN BATTERY REPLACEMENT...?
BEFORE you start running around and buying new SWITCH BLADE KEY because Key is NOT working BEFORE or AFTER replacing it's COIN BATTERY Then ..Try This FIRST..
See the colour Pics Below of TWO Switch blade Keys from my S2 RX-8 and my 2011 NC MX-5 (AU does not have the red emergency button), they look identical, Until you open up the Electronics Module they are clearly different internally.
However I have renewed the Coin Batteryand when I go to unlock car it still does not work, The reason is normal long term use of the Switch-blade Buttons Pushing Down the small bright metal Contact Connectors between Button and to Battery, see the Blue and Red Circles to see these metal contacts over time and use lose their spring force strength.
The EASY FIX is to carefully with your finger nail GENTLY Push UP each of the two thin metal Contact Connectors (by about 2 millimetres), make sure you are carefully holding the delicate base of the Connector Base Block with other finger nail.
DO NOT USE METAL PLIERS or METAL SCREWDRIVER TO DO THIS TASK BECAUSE IF YOU SLIP YOU WILL PERMANENTLY DAMAGE THE PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD, plus you do not need heavy Force.
Then re-assemble Module Cover, you might now find your Switch blade works like new... Or you may have to start over and repeat this again until you get the spring tension to Battery working OK...
NOTE: This can also work when Switch blade Key will just NOT WORK at all or will not UNLOCK the car. The Switch blade Contact Connectors need Bending Back Up so there is a normal working Power Supply to the Module Electronics. NOTE: Also if you See your silver metal Battery Contacts LOOK dull or start to look as if corrosion is forming I suggest you grab a Cotton Bud Stick and add a small drop (or two) of thin Multi-Purpose Oil directly on the Bud and then carefully wipe over the silver area (do not get on the green circuit board or any of it's other parts).
For any of these Keys or systems, PLEASE supply (PM or post) me with your FULL VIN Number so I can supply you with the correct Part Number or part numbers.
Too expensive to get wrong, and too many types to guess correctly.
EPC Example here is for an early 2004-5 Series 1 RX-8 WITH Burglar Alarm.
No, all the many AKE receiver modules and their transmission frequencies are completely different to the Switchblade or normal Key-less Entry.
Unfortunately AKE is just another layer of electronic garbage, more than twice the number of receivers/transmitters, more cost (to repair) and more hassles, all for what, lazy people who don't want to put in and turn a key. (IMO of course ).
I really dislike the problems of last generation AKE give, normal Key-less is bad enough but is far more easier to fix, or renew.
Having said this I believe the later systems used in the new Skyactiv models (new CX-5, 6, 3) are much better and better sorted/simpler...and no you can not use these on the RX-8 with AKE.
the AKE on my Mazda3 works pretty good, at least when compared to what my father had for his CX-7 (now gone), which was the same **** they used on the late RX8 card type.
that **** was weak and did I mention sometimes it doesn't work ? it will not unlock nor start the car, and battery was new. it seems like the card type was really sensitive to some electronic radio wave around the area. Never had a problem with the newer "bar like key type" AKE on my 2010 Mazda3.
Is it possible to cut a plain (non - RKE) key for an AKE car? Basically I want another one of the keys that pulls out of the AKE, only with a hole in it so I can put it on a key ring. I assume there is some sort of resistor or chip within the spare key on the AKE cars, so you can't just get a 99 cent blank cut at the hardware store.
Just a general question....i have a series 2, but have had issues with this key unlocking and locking, the car detecting it....i ve replaced batteries. Doesnt help. Have people had trouble with these ? Druves me nuts !
Just a general question....i have a series 2, but have had issues with this key unlocking and locking, the car detecting it....i ve replaced batteries. Doesnt help. Have people had trouble with these ? Druves me nuts !
I've had range issues even with new batteries. Can't quite remember if it was always like this new...but I need to be close to the car for it to sense a key press (by close I mean at most 3 car lengths)
Just wanted to share my experience with replacing the AKE style key for my mazda. The cheapest place that I could find it with the chip was from ebay for less than 60 bucks. I bought a couple of them and programmed them myself, havent had an issue with them. Mazda Smart Or Card Primary Uncut Key Blank OEM CX-7 CX-9 Miata RX-8 | eBay
Sorry to thread necro, but I didn't want to just post a duplicate thread about the same subject.
So my 06 has advanced keyless. When I bought the car, naturally the owner only had one key.
My last RX-8 was also a 2006 with advanced keyless that was unfortunately totaled by a driver that hit me head on.
I still have the transponder and emergency key from my old RX-8. Is it possible to have this key re-programmed to my car? I know the procedure since I only have one working key with a blank replacement, but I'm just curious as to if the key programmed to my old RX-8 can be re programmed to my new one.
Just wanted to share my experience with replacing the AKE style key for my mazda. The cheapest place that I could find it with the chip was from ebay for less than 60 bucks. I bought a couple of them and programmed them myself, havent had an issue with them. Mazda Smart Or Card Primary Uncut Key Blank OEM CX-7 CX-9 Miata RX-8 | eBay
New member here. I got my 09 rx8 r3 with only one AKE that does not work. I have been using the car with the only one key available. is it possible to program new keys into it? please share the programming procedure.
Just wanted to mention that's possible to use a switchblade key with an AKE system. BUT it's only for using the key to manually lock/unlock and start with the key in the ignition. The buttons use a different radio band and do not work. My AKE system is not functional and never has been, so I could not say whether it would work for that portion. I will update when I get the AKE system working. But if you just want a manual key and not use the dinky little key from the credit card, yes the switchblade key will work.
My 2006 Manual the red Key light stays on? Everything still works, but manual says not to drive it in that condition. Any suggestions before I go to the dealer?
01-02-2013, 08:07 PM
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