Topic: Programming Additional Miata Keys and Remotes Yourself

[W1RC]

I have two factory transponder keys for the ?Immobilizer? security system in my 2001 SE. However I have learned from the experience of others that it is wise to have three keys because if one is lost two keys are needed to program a replacement. If you only have one key a trip to the dealer or a specialist locksmith will be necessary and the attendant cost will not be to your liking.

My daily driver is a 2010 Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor. The fleet vehicles do not have this feature and I am not accustomed to dealing with it.

I have read that there is a workaround to bypass the system by removing the steering column housing and taping a transponder key close to the lock body which allows the use of a $2.00 hardware store key copy to unlock the ignition. However this defeats the whole purpose of the ?Immobilizer? security system.

I feel it is better to spend a few dollars now and get a third (or fourth) key and have the two required to program it yourself than have to go to a ?stealer? later and pay plenty if you lose one.

Here is the programming procedure as outlined in the factory manual.  This procedure was tested by me on my 2001SE and it worked just fine.

NOTE: If no specific time interval is given, each step should be performed within 30 seconds of the previous step. Keys 1-2 are your existing working car keys!

1. Cut new transponder equipped key(s). Note: These are Keys 3-8.

2. Using Key 1, turn ignition switch to ON position then back to LOCK position five (5) times. The key should not remain at the ON position or LOCK position for more than 1 second.

3. Turn Key 1 back to ON position. Observe illumination of security light in instrument cluster.
Turn Key 1 to LOCK position and remove Key 1 from steering lock. Observe security light goes out.

4.Using Key 2, start engine. Observe that security light illuminates (for 1-2 seconds) and engine continues to run.  Turn Key 2 to LOCK position and remove from steering lock.

5. Repeat Previous Step with Key 1.

6. Repeat Previous Step with Key 3 (new key).

If there are 4-8 keys (valid and/or new keys), repeat Previous Step.

Wait for 30 Seconds to quit reprogram mode.

Be sure to take the two original keys and leave them far away from the car before you test the new key(s).   You want to make sure that the Immobilizer antenna is not reading one of the original keys when testing the new one.

Start the car with the new key you just programmed. You are done.

There is a second programming procedure that is also posted online amd was found in the Immobilizer training manual dated 2004. I did not try it on my 2001 SE but I am revealing it here in case the above routine does not work for your vehicle.

1. Insert one of the pre-programmed transponder keys and turn the ignition to "on", leave on for at least one second ( wait until the red key symbol in the instrument cluster extinguishes), remove the key from the ignition.

2. Within 5 seconds insert the second pre-programmed key and turn the ignition to "on" for at least one second but no more than 5 seconds (use the key symbol for this as well) then remove the second key.

3. Within 10 seconds insert the new key in the ignition and turn the ignition to "on", if you are successful the red key symbol will illuminate then extinguish after about a second.

If you are not successful, the red key symbol will flash repeatedly to indicate that you have inserted an invalid key. Remove the key, wait a minute and try it again.

Thanks to all folks on the miata.net forum and web site who have shared their knowledge and wisdom with me. I have learned a lot there. Hope it is useful.

[W1RC]

in the interest of accuracy I want to clarify what is actually happening here.

In reality, you are NOT programming a key. What you are doing is programming the car's computer to ACCEPT a new key.

Each key with a transponder chip inside of it has a unique digital code identifier. No two keys have the same transponder code. The codes are numerous digits long so there are MILLIONS of possibilities.

So, you have two keys that came with your Miata and the computer in the Miata "knows" the transponder codes inside those keys. The computer will only let THOSE two codes keep the car running.

When you get a third key, you have to "teach" the Miata's computer to "know" the digital transponder code inside that new key. Without programming the car's computer to learn the code, a cut key will start the car but it will quickly stall and refuse to run.

It's easier to refer to it as "programming the key" but you're really "programming the computer to accept the key".

[W1RC]

If you really want to know all about the Immobilizer system here is the training manual

http://www.mazdabg.com/ftp-uploads/MAZDA%20material%20for%20technician/CT-L1007_en.pdf

However as mentioned earlier the key programming procedure outlines in the manual was not tested on my 2001 SE so I cannot say with any accuracy whether it works or not.