How do you program keys and remote controls for the Mazda MX-5?
Here you’ll find the answers for the NA, NB, and NC generations of the MX-5.
Starting with the 2000 model year, the Mazda MX-5 has an immobilizer and central door locking. From then on, the key contained a transponder chip that could exchange information with the immobilizer via a ring-shaped antenna surrounding the ignition switch. If the unique number in the transponder chip is recognized by the immobilizer and the Engine Control Unit (ECU)—also known as the Powertrain Control Module (PCM)—the car can be started. This provided an extra layer of security to prevent anyone with a matching key from driving off with the car.
Project Schömberg, a 2005 Memories 3 special edition NBFL, was the first car for which I had only one key. I wanted a second key, and I also wanted to ensure that the missing key—should someone ever turn up with it—could no longer be used to start the car.
I’ve explained my reasoning and the various scenarios for achieving that goal in this video:
Next, I decided to make a video explaining the procedures you can use to program new keys into the immobilizer yourself for NB-generation cars equipped with an immobilizer. It depends on how many working keys you still have. All the steps are explained.
With the introduction of the NBFL—the facelifted version of the NB generation—a remote control was also added for the central locking system and to open the trunk. For this purpose, an additional module was installed behind the glove compartment. This keyless entry module is separate from the immobilizer. It only affects the operation of the remote control.
Programming one or more remote controls on the NBFL or NC is fairly easy to do yourself. I’ve explained the process in the following video:
The MX-5 NC also has keys with a transponder chip inside. It’s the 4D63 chip, while the NB generation uses the ID8C chip. These two are not interchangeable or compatible.
The NC has the immobilizer in the instrument cluster, unless the car is equipped with the Advanced Keyless Entry (AKE) system, in which case the remote control is card-shaped, similar to a bank card but thicker. These keys can be programmed using FORScan software. The following video shows you how to do that.
Other Mazda models also use the Passive Anti-Theft System (PATS), which was originally developed by Ford. These include the following models and model years:
- Mazda 2 (2008–2014)
- Mazda 3 (2003–2007)
- Mazda 5 (2005–2008)
- Mazda 6 (2002–2015)
- Mazda CX‑7 (2006–2012)
- Mazda RX‑8 (2003–2010)
Older cars, from the NA and NB generations, do not have an immobilizer, but can be retrofitted with central door locking. Inexpensive do-it-yourself kits are available on the market for this purpose.
Below is an example of me installing such a kit on a 1991 NA.
If you have any questions, you can reach me via the contact page
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