mx5cartalk.com

arrrrrrgh

they've got you by the short & curlies I'm afaraid.
i think you may have to go to Mazda.

On a NB8B+ without an alarm the immbiliser works from the key. Maybe on cars with an alarm there are 2 immobilisor systems, one off the key and one in the alarm?

On NB8A (99), the immobiliser is controlled by the key, the alarm is just that (I have the factory alarm).

You can disable the alarm with the small round key, but that is quite independent of the immobiliser as I understand it. Therefore you need that special key with the gizmo in it - do you have a duplicate? They are pretty exxie if you need to get one from Mazda

Just re-read your post - I would be surprised if you cannot use the spare, I have switched keys with no problems. Maybe you could ring a dealer in the morning and see if there is some trick, or procedure you need to follow. Have you tried cycling the remote - try locking the car, leave it for at least a minute (you should have a light that tells you when the immobiliser has been set), and then try 'unlock' ...

Good luck

Memphis Reines

it never rains but it pours

Don't care much for Raines, but Sway can steal my car anyday

jonno.

h1bern4te
On my 01 nb8b the alarm is located right under the dash, the siren in the engine bay; no key because just under the carpet near the accelerator pedal is a tiny little disable switch...
To find it, you might be lucky and remove the scuff plate, pull up the carpet and see it like I did...
They won't all be hidden in the same place but now you know what U mite B looking 4, maybe you can take a peek around the interior and spot the disable switch.
What about contacting the previous owner? Details should be in your paperwork, or call the dealer and ask for a phone number...
That's how I found out where mine was.
Good luck.

I have an NB8A so yours COULD be different.

I think the NB8Bs all came with the factory alarm which you'd be silly to replace because it does the job and has a nice boot release button (the nb8a didn't).

Take a look at your \"spare\" key, does it look exactly like the original key? Does it have a mazda logo on it?

The NB8As (and the B's too i think) have a tiny chip in the key that works as an immobilizer.

Any aftermarket key will unlock the locks, but won't start the car.

At least you have a \"spare\" key they can use to cut a proper Mazda key (with build in chip) for the ignition.

Our car also came with a small round key that looks a bit like these


Take a look in all the paperwork that came with your car, see if it's been sticky taped to the manual etc?

There's also a small metal tab with numbers on it, this can be used to tell Mazda over the phone which key you need (if you loose it).

Did this come with your keys? (or have you just lost it too?).

I'm pretty sure Mazda can use your VIN to get the right key too.

This goes into the top of the alarm siren (under your bonnet) and can turn the alarm on/off.

I'd be calling Mazda before getting an aftermarket alarm expert out.

Can someone with an NB8A scan in your alarm button thing so h1bern4te can tell if he had the factory alarm?

Depends if your brother had any paperwork in the car with his address, they could drive past there every now and then to see if there's an MX-5 parked out front.

Perhaps i'm a bit paranoid too, probably just junkies.

(I use to have a junkie try and sleep a primary school I worked for, he recons he spent about $50,000 on drugs in 6 months, makes you wonder how much goods he'd need to take to cover that sort of habit.)

h1bern4te wrote:..what am I supposed to do?

I thought ther was a longer documned procedure for turning the alarm of...or was that to code another key, not to sure now

h1bern4te wrote:Yeah well.. Andrew, I won't blame you..
Even Mazda people don't know what to do...

When I was coding my spare key, the Mazda dealer (Burwood Penfold Mazda) took sooo long to code it, and made themselves look inexperienced.. and as I expected they have could not offer me any advice, let alone turning immobiliser off, asking other dealers help.. but... so far nothing has worked.

Hell, if they do not give out master-key to disable the alarm or immobiliser, they should at least know how to turn it off...

Could be worth giving Al a call at Max Kirwan Madza. I'm sure they'd need the car though

Have you had a look through this PDF file

It may be able to help you or the dealer fix up the car

h1bern4te wrote:Drew... I think my key is working fine, I have a spare key but the bloody alarm's immobiliser that won't let me start the car..

I think the alarm is Mazda's factory alarm though.. and yes they have confirmed having an immobiliser system on their alarm as well.

oops, just went back to your first post

I'll just shut-up now

h1bern4te wrote:(My car is a NB 2001 model)

I lost my only remote control and I cannot disable my immobiliser!
I can use my spare key to get in, set off the alarm and I cannot start the car....

I was thinking the immobiliser is in the electronically coded key; apparently not! what can I do?

The NB8A/B comes with an integrated immobilser which operates by a RFD key. The NB8B also has remote control for the central locking and boot which is independant of the immobilser. They do not come with a factory fitted alarm.

It sounds like this car has an additional security device (alarm/immobilser) in addition to the factory installed immobiliser. The factory RFD key immobiliser is probably working fine, but I suspect that there is another "cut" in the fuel pump/spark/starter circuits courtsey of the non-factory alarm stopping the car from starting.

Even if it was fitted at the time the car was sold (and sold as a dealer fit option) it was probably installed by the auto electrician/car stereo shop closest to the dealer. I dare say this is who you need to find to solve the problem.

edit - had a cup of tea between starting and finishing this post and missed the last two replies.

Did your alarm key thing look like this?



This one is a long shot.