red8gt

Hey guys, some light is flashing on my dash when i lock the doors... it's a car with a key in the middle... i checked it out and it said that it was the immobilizer syster... just wondering what this is?
Thanks

truemagellen

there is a chip in every key, if it is not registered to your vehicle and you try to start the car the engine will become imobilzed

also damage to the ignition interlock system (mostly the key area) will imobilize the car

so people don't steal the whole car

red8gt

so pretty much the car won't start without the proper key... thanks man... thought it had something to do with the security... just worried me cause i just bought the car today

truemagellen

oh Hey congrats!

yah nothing to worry about

I'm happy you are reading the manual...most don't and it is annoying



enjoy!

vectorwolf

So, does this mean it's impossible for a thief to hotwire the car? Basically, the only way the entire car could be stolen is on a flatbed or something?

Asmoran

Well, with the right equipment you could do it, but you'd have to be an electical engineer with access to Mazda's blueprints and create the equipment yourself. Easier to flatbed it.

truemagellen

Anything is possible

but really hotwiring this car involves dissabling a task built into the ECU, it won't let the engine start unless startup follows protocol

zoom44

there was one car owned by a member stolen from an airport gargae. never did hear if he got it back or how they thoguth it might have been done.

RX-8 friend

Towing or flatbed makes theft easy. To steal it without this you have to:
1. Replace the immobilizer module.
2. Replace the PCM with one that has been "introduced" (codes programmed into) to the immobilizer module you installed above.

Approximate cost - $1000+
Approximate time to do this - 30 min. to an hour.

In one month all new cars must have this type of system.

Oh, and don't loose the key! Ask your dealer how much a new one costs! Make sure you're sitting down! Also, the key code must be programmed into the car by the dealer equipment.

Barry Gross

A couple of weeks ago my 2005 Rx-8 would not respond to the master key...I could not automatically unlock the doors and the immobilizer symbol came on on the dash...and the car would not start. A few minutes later I tried again, but things were worse...the immobilizer symbol would not even show...nothing. Two weeks later I got my car back. Apparently the key's transmitter had gone bad...and to make matters worse, the programmed info. that was done in Japan was wrong! It's good to have my car back, but if I ever see that immobilizer icon again I'll probably have a nervous breakdown!

red8gt

so it's not supposed to be flashing when you turn off the ignition??? cause mine is

tiggerlee

Yes it flashes when the car's off. Means it's armed.

red8gt

ok kewl... thanks

GulfCoast

It's funny how old threads can really help.

I hadn't noticed the immobilizer icon flashing when the car is off (I've had it only a few days), but tonight -- after washing the car and having the key in my pocket with the key from another car (the manual says not to get the key wet and not to have another key with an immobilizer system in proximity to it) -- I noticed the flashing light on the instrument panel. I consulted the manual, which said it was the immobilizer system; but, I couldn't determine from the write-up if the light is supposed to flash when the car is off. I cranked the car and the light went off, just like it was supposed to, but when I turned off the car the light started flashing again. I was concerned that there had been a malfunction even though I could still start the car.

After reading this thread and re-reading the immobilizer section in the manual, I realized that everything was fine and that I must have simply not noticed the icon flashing before tonight.

tiggerlee

Yep all is well with your baby . I don't think I noticed it flashing until days after I bought it.