DIY: Code your own key / remote
#576
Thank you for the instructions I was able to get myself a working fob finally. My car came with only 1 key and no fobs. I bought the stock 2004 fob brand new from eBay (the 4 button fob only) but despite the attempt sot program it nothing would work. Would have to go to the dealership and have them program it for $75 if it would even work. Grace_Excel was of great help with the process and told me what I needed to buy. I returned the other remote and got the 2005+ switchblade and it programmed perfectly the very first try.
The current issue I am having is the horn will not make any sound now. When trying to program the first the car alarm went off. Not having a remote at the time I didn't know how to turn it off so I pulled the negative cable on the battery. But reconnecting the cable the alarm kept going off. Eventually pulled the horn fuse until I solved the problem with the alarm. I have since reinstalled the horn fuse and the horn doesn't work. Not when I click the fob buttons and not when I push the steering wheel. I am not sure if is alarm related but wanted to ask if anyone knows the issue. Iswapped fuses with the fog light fuse and it is not the fuse. Maybe the horn broke somehow. I actually dont know where the horn itself is to test it.
The current issue I am having is the horn will not make any sound now. When trying to program the first the car alarm went off. Not having a remote at the time I didn't know how to turn it off so I pulled the negative cable on the battery. But reconnecting the cable the alarm kept going off. Eventually pulled the horn fuse until I solved the problem with the alarm. I have since reinstalled the horn fuse and the horn doesn't work. Not when I click the fob buttons and not when I push the steering wheel. I am not sure if is alarm related but wanted to ask if anyone knows the issue. Iswapped fuses with the fog light fuse and it is not the fuse. Maybe the horn broke somehow. I actually dont know where the horn itself is to test it.
#577
Charles Bundy
iTrader: (5)
Thank you for the instructions I was able to get myself a working fob finally. My car came with only 1 key and no fobs. I bought the stock 2004 fob brand new from eBay (the 4 button fob only) but despite the attempt sot program it nothing would work. Would have to go to the dealership and have them program it for $75 if it would even work. Grace_Excel was of great help with the process and told me what I needed to buy. I returned the other remote and got the 2005+ switchblade and it programmed perfectly the very first try.
The current issue I am having is the horn will not make any sound now. When trying to program the first the car alarm went off. Not having a remote at the time I didn't know how to turn it off so I pulled the negative cable on the battery. But reconnecting the cable the alarm kept going off. Eventually pulled the horn fuse until I solved the problem with the alarm. I have since reinstalled the horn fuse and the horn doesn't work. Not when I click the fob buttons and not when I push the steering wheel. I am not sure if is alarm related but wanted to ask if anyone knows the issue. Iswapped fuses with the fog light fuse and it is not the fuse. Maybe the horn broke somehow. I actually dont know where the horn itself is to test it.
The current issue I am having is the horn will not make any sound now. When trying to program the first the car alarm went off. Not having a remote at the time I didn't know how to turn it off so I pulled the negative cable on the battery. But reconnecting the cable the alarm kept going off. Eventually pulled the horn fuse until I solved the problem with the alarm. I have since reinstalled the horn fuse and the horn doesn't work. Not when I click the fob buttons and not when I push the steering wheel. I am not sure if is alarm related but wanted to ask if anyone knows the issue. Iswapped fuses with the fog light fuse and it is not the fuse. Maybe the horn broke somehow. I actually dont know where the horn itself is to test it.
When the car's alarm goes off; it is accompanied by a flashing hazard. If you allow the car's ECU to disable itself, it will take at least 5 minutes before it turns off on it's own but instead you pulled the battery. After you programmed the new fob, pressing the button to unlock/lock the car disabled the alarm as it normally would. Switching the fuse with another good one is the next best step to find what caused the horn to be faulty. Two things, I think a wire could have disconnected or the horn broke before/after you've cut power.
I have changed my radiator twice and I was not paying much attention where the horn is located, I cannot recall seeing it up front or behind the bumper as most cars do. The best place to ask that question is in this link: Dumb Question Thread
Last edited by Grace_Excel; 04-22-2015 at 04:22 AM.
#579
well.. since this thread is still going strong, just putting in my 2 cents. i just bought an 07 GT that came with only one credit card style card key. the keyless doesn't work.
the plastic of the little emergency key is chipped and doesnt properly stay in the card sleeve, and i was sick of carrying it around. i happened to have a switchblade key leftover from my wrecked car, and i bought a key blank and brought it to a locksmith.
he was able to program the key to work and start the car with no issue. but he was NOT able to program the switchblade's buttons to lock or unlock the car.
i'm not sure if the guy knew what he was doing or not. also, not sure if keyless is going to work once i get that all fixed, but i suspect that it actually will.
so for those wondering if you can use a switchblade key on an AKE car, the answer is.. sorta.
if anyone has tips to help me to get this working, i'd appreciate it. right now, i have two working transponder keys and one working remote control. i happen to have an extra card style remote, missing the key, that i could also potentially use to pair up, if there's a process for it, but it doesn't seem like that's possible based on what i read.
interested to hear what others think
the plastic of the little emergency key is chipped and doesnt properly stay in the card sleeve, and i was sick of carrying it around. i happened to have a switchblade key leftover from my wrecked car, and i bought a key blank and brought it to a locksmith.
he was able to program the key to work and start the car with no issue. but he was NOT able to program the switchblade's buttons to lock or unlock the car.
i'm not sure if the guy knew what he was doing or not. also, not sure if keyless is going to work once i get that all fixed, but i suspect that it actually will.
so for those wondering if you can use a switchblade key on an AKE car, the answer is.. sorta.
if anyone has tips to help me to get this working, i'd appreciate it. right now, i have two working transponder keys and one working remote control. i happen to have an extra card style remote, missing the key, that i could also potentially use to pair up, if there's a process for it, but it doesn't seem like that's possible based on what i read.
interested to hear what others think
#580
magixpuma, your basic steps worked for me the best!!! Although, I appreciate all of you guys comments on how to program an Mazda RX-8 remote fob!!!
1 sit in car
2 open driver door
3 put the key in move it
to lock to on
to lock to on
to lock to on
theres a small button in the door jam with a rubber stopper on it press it 3 times
now check that the door buttons still work and lock and unlock the doors.
then press any button on your key fob twice. now be patient cuz it takes like 5 seconds for it to first work.
MAKE SURE YOU DO THIS ALL QUICKLY!!!! 30 secs and under.
1 sit in car
2 open driver door
3 put the key in move it
to lock to on
to lock to on
to lock to on
theres a small button in the door jam with a rubber stopper on it press it 3 times
now check that the door buttons still work and lock and unlock the doors.
then press any button on your key fob twice. now be patient cuz it takes like 5 seconds for it to first work.
MAKE SURE YOU DO THIS ALL QUICKLY!!!! 30 secs and under.
The following users liked this post:
sweetcraven (07-23-2021)
#581
Dumb question....
Just purchased a rx8 and was only given one key. Last night, I lost the key.
Of course, Mazda wants an arm and a leg for new keys. From looking in the posts even if I bought the key without it being programmed I would have to have at least one already programmed? Just trying to get out for as little as possible! Any help/ideas are much appreciated! Can't even get into my project car now and I'm pretty sad. Thanks!
![Frown](https://www.rx8club.com/images/smilies/frown.gif)
#582
You gonna eat that?
iTrader: (1)
Just poopurchased a rx8 and was only given one key. Last night, I lost the key.
Of course, Mazda wants an arm and a leg for new keys. From looking in the posts even if I bought the key without it being programmed I would have to have at least one already programmed? Just trying to get out for as little as possible! Any help/ideas are much appreciated! Can't even get into my project car now and I'm pretty sad. Thanks!
![Frown](https://www.rx8club.com/images/smilies/frown.gif)
I'm pretty sure, if there's a trick to getting a new key without an existing one, I don't recall reading about it.
Sorry.
![Frown](https://www.rx8club.com/images/smilies/frown.gif)
*Edit;
Grace_Excel has helped me with a key issue before, maybe you can try a PM, if he doesn't know, Idk who else would.
Last edited by BigCajun; 09-02-2015 at 06:40 PM.
#583
Charles Bundy
iTrader: (5)
Yes, sad to say that you need at least two working keys to program another key. However, you only need one to program a switchblade FOB. Your only chance at getting a working key is either fork out an arm and a leg to a MAZDA dealer or possibly a locksmith. Could your insurance cover that under comprehensive coverage? If that is the case, just take your proof of ownership and/or title to the dealer and include aonther key and keyless FOBs with your purchase.
Last edited by Grace_Excel; 09-04-2015 at 03:45 PM.
#584
Registered
iTrader: (1)
![MO](https://www.rx8club.com/images/icons/mo.jpg)
Okay, so I got the switchblade key. To program the key itself, is it like programming the remote? I have two keys already that lock/unlock/turn on the car. I got the switchblade, since the 04 FOBs don't seem to be programable and besides why not have a third key? So now, I'm here wondering how do I program the key itself?
#585
You gonna eat that?
iTrader: (1)
Okay, so I got the switchblade key. To program the key itself, is it like programming the remote? I have two keys already that lock/unlock/turn on the car. I got the switchblade, since the 04 FOBs don't seem to be programable and besides why not have a third key? So now, I'm here wondering how do I program the key itself?
I've had mine for about a year, and I still haven't had it cut or programmed.
I just use it for the remote.
I may see about getting it done Friday.
#586
Charles Bundy
iTrader: (5)
Okay, so I got the switchblade key. To program the key itself, is it like programming the remote? I have two keys already that lock/unlock/turn on the car. I got the switchblade, since the 04 FOBs don't seem to be programable and besides why not have a third key? So now, I'm here wondering how do I program the key itself?
You can only program a number of keys to work with your ignition before the ECU bumps an old one, "how many keys?" I do not know.
Now, here's what I experienced three years ago. I had my key blade cut and it worked to open the doors and trunk, and turns to ON in the ignition. I came home and attempted ONLY that one time to program it myself according to the instructions I found in the forum and all I noticed is a rapid blinking red-key-light(anti-theft) on the dash. The original keys still started my car but not the newly cut blade with the switchblade FOB. I still use that FOB(along with the transponder and the cut key blade) to lock-unlock the car.
I did not pay much attention if that blinking light was there before I attempted to program the transponder for the ignition, may be I missed a step or may be because my switchblade FOB was a used one from another MAZDA(which I purchased in eBay). Programming the two FOBs I purchased worked instantly and it hasn't stopped working since I did it four or five years ago; even though I had that rapid blinking red-key-light after that attempt, both the original keys and the switchblade FOB still works together to start the ignition and haven't immobilized the car which is what the anti-theft device would do.
#588
You gonna eat that?
iTrader: (1)
#590
Registered
iTrader: (1)
Yeah I have one of those and they are ****. I can't even get them to work. After a year, I finally decided to get the switchblade key. Crossing my fingers it'll program just fine. I read somewhere on this thread, that you don't need to have two working FOBs to program the switchblade one. Hopefully thats true because I don't want to go to the dealership and pay a lot just for them to do it.
#591
You gonna eat that?
iTrader: (1)
Yeah I have one of those and they are ****. I can't even get them to work. After a year, I finally decided to get the switchblade key. Crossing my fingers it'll program just fine. I read somewhere on this thread, that you don't need to have two working FOBs to program the switchblade one. PooHopefully thats true because I don't want to go to the dealership and pay a lot just for them to do it.
#592
Actually after reading entire thread, you do need two keys to program the transponder to the ecu, however after searching around on YouTube I have found out that there is an obd2 device that will also add a transponder to the ecu. So I searched locksmith and transponder on Craig's list and found several in my area that can do it cheap especially if you go to them instead of being raped at the dealership
#593
You gonna eat that?
iTrader: (1)
I was talking about using the fob for a remote only, not for the ignition.
I haven't even had the switchblade key cut yet.
I haven't even had the switchblade key cut yet.
#594
Charles Bundy
iTrader: (5)
Correct, only one key is needed to program the keyless entry for the switchblade FOB. Two keys to program and add a working transponder for the ignition.
RaXtaman8 and Enrique2014:
Do you have four (lock, unlock, trunk, and panic) buttons in your keyless entry FOB? The Switchblade key should look like mine, attached below. Also, do you know where the fcc ID and the visteon # etched in the FOB?
RaXtaman8 and Enrique2014:
Do you have four (lock, unlock, trunk, and panic) buttons in your keyless entry FOB? The Switchblade key should look like mine, attached below. Also, do you know where the fcc ID and the visteon # etched in the FOB?
#595
Charles Bundy
iTrader: (5)
I have repeated this post many times with the new car fob I've finally gotten over the years of putting it off. I got the Keyless/Flip Key combo off Amazon.com. 3 Button, says compatible with KPU41788, IC 41524. It says it works for 2005-2010 Mazda RX8's. Any takes on how I might get it to work? Maybe I'm doing something wrong, but its also self explanatory in that post I went off of. Any ideas helps, thanks.
If any of you guys are wondering, the attached picture below is where you will need to look for the Visteon Model and the FCC code in the prefered (four button) switchblade key.
Click on this link about replacing your Switch Blade Key Battery, and the inside will look like in the picture below where the Visteon and FCC codes are.
![](https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xaf1/t31.0-8/202407_2306339874590_1081525860_o.jpg?efg=eyJpIjoidCJ9)
![](https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xaf1/t31.0-8/202407_2306339874590_1081525860_o.jpg?efg=eyJpIjoidCJ9)
#596
Registered
iTrader: (1)
Correct, only one key is needed to program the keyless entry for the switchblade FOB. Two keys to program and add a working transponder for the ignition.
Do you have four (lock, unlock, trunk, and panic) buttons in your keyless entry FOB? The Switchblade key should look like mine, attached below. Also, do you know where the fcc ID and the visteon # etched in the FOB?
Do you have four (lock, unlock, trunk, and panic) buttons in your keyless entry FOB? The Switchblade key should look like mine, attached below. Also, do you know where the fcc ID and the visteon # etched in the FOB?
#599
2 programmed keys
So when I bought the car it only came with a single key and no extra or fob. I just wanted to know if I needed 2 programmed keys to add the new fob I just bought or if it will work with just one. I've tried programming with 2 different fobs now and neither has worked. It's a 2004
#600
![Unhappy](https://www.rx8club.com/images/icons/icon9.gif)
![Frown](https://www.rx8club.com/images/smilies/frown.gif)