2006 Mazda5 - keyless entry intermittent

[agent55]

Hi all, first post since owning a 2006 Mazda5 with about 68k miles on it, I've had it for about 3 weeks. So far happy with driving it, but one problem has baffled me since purchasing. I have 2 key/remotes for it, both have new batteries installed by me and both were successfully programed to the vehicle thanks to this forum However, seemingly 50% of the time when I exit the vehicle the little red "key" symbol on the dash flashes along with a beeping noise. When this happens, the keyless remote has no effect on locking/unlocking the doors. The other half of the time when I open the door to exit, there's no sound or light, and the remote works just fine to lock/unlock the vehicle. This has been happening consistently since I've bought the 5.

I've scoured the forum and recall seeing a post (somewhere) that said the Mazda5's have keyless-remote sensor mounted on the exterior of the vehicle and that it was prone to fail because it's exposed to the elements.

Anyone have experience with this, an idea where the sensor is located and/or a part # for the sensor?

Thanks much!

 

[Davicho]

Yes. Sounds like you need to replace your ignition switch. It happened to mine and I googled it and found a TSB (Technical Service Bulletin). I replaced the switch, which by the way was easy and fairly cheap, and it was fixed. Apparently the old switch stays electronically open and thinks the key is still in the ignition thus not turning on the dome lights when you pull out the key of the ignition, the key chime stays on when you open the door and it prohibits you from locking your MZ5 with the keyless remote.

 

[agent55]

Thank you! I would not have suspected that. I'll have to check the switch to see, but I wonder if that little green light next to the switch stays on/goes off depending on if it's working correctly. Just to confirm that's the culprit (scratch)

 

[thaxman]

Yes. Sounds like you need to replace your ignition switch. It happened to mine and I googled it and found a TSB (Technical Service Bulletin). I replaced the switch, which by the way was easy and fairly cheap, and it was fixed. Apparently the old switch stays electronically open and thinks the key is still in the ignition thus not turning on the dome lights when you pull out the key of the ignition, the key chime stays on when you open the door and it prohibits you from locking your MZ5 with the keyless remote.

Periodically, I am able to pull out the key when its about 95% in the 0 position, but not all the way. It beeps and there is no FOB function like you described because the ignition still thinks the key is in. When this happens, I put the key back in and turn the key back towards me even more and it finally locks 100% in the 0 position & I'm on my way.

 

[agent55]

Thanks thaxman, I'll give that a try!

 

[00bluees]

hmmm ill have to examine this as well. both my fobs are useless. sometimes if i press the lock or unlock button a bazillion times it will work. but i just use the key in the door (which is irritating when you have children to put in both sides of the car and you always have to go to the drivers side first because there is no effing lock in the passenger side door)

 

[batmick]

Yes. Sounds like you need to replace your ignition switch. It happened to mine and I googled it and found a TSB (Technical Service Bulletin). I replaced the switch, which by the way was easy and fairly cheap, and it was fixed. Apparently the old switch stays electronically open and thinks the key is still in the ignition thus not turning on the dome lights when you pull out the key of the ignition, the key chime stays on when you open the door and it prohibits you from locking your MZ5 with the keyless remote.

That is exactly what our MZ5 is doing too. Do you have a part number for the ignition switch and/or a source you can recommend?

Found the TSB and the procedure does sound fairly simple. Any tips or potential pitfalls or is it really as simple as taking off the column cover?

Thanks!

 

[Blue 5 Zoomer]

I had to take my wife's keyfobs and where the battery makes contact inside of them, I sprayed a little contact cleaner on them, wiped them off, then bent the pins that make contact with the battery. It has not given me a problem ever since. It doesn't sound like the same problem except for maybe 00bluees issue.

 

[batmick]

Just finished replacing the ignition switch and the beeping is gone and the car responds to the remote again.

What a simple repair. Forgot to take pictures but here's a little writeup and description. The part was $30 through parts.com and in terms of tools all you need is a philips screwdriver.

There are three screws holding the steering column cover in place. Move the column down and telescope all the way out for easiest access. Two screws are easy to find at the front near the steering wheel from below. One is a little more hidden, back behind the lever for the tilt/telescope release. Separate the two halves of the cover. The top half pulls out and up but does not separate from the console. Just fold it out of the way. The bottom cover is attached to some cables but you don't have to disconnect, just move it down a bit to get access.
See how the lock enters the column on the right side of the steering wheel? Follow the line of the key and find the ignition switch on the other side of the column. A big, multi-cable connector enters it from the top. Press the release latches on the top and bottom of the ignition switch and pull it out of the holder.
To release the cable connector you need to disengage the plastic safety catch by flipping the grey latch over. Then you can remove the switch from the cable and connect the new one. Flip the safety catch back up and snap the assembly back in place. Fold back the covers and put back the screws and you're done.
The manual calls to disconnect the negative battery cable before you do this procedure but I did not.
That way I had the beeping going on non stop while the door was open and I was working on the column cover. Once the switch was disconnected the beeping stopped and when it did not start up again after I plugged in the new switch I knew I had done it right (or had killed the car).

Next project will be to replace the sliding door lock actuators. Hope that goes just as smoothly.

 

[agent55]

Just finished replacing the ignition switch and the beeping is gone and the car responds to the remote again.

What a simple repair. Forgot to take pictures but here's a little writeup and description. The part was $30 through parts.com and in terms of tools all you need is a philips screwdriver.

There are three screws holding the steering column cover in place. Move the column down and telescope all the way out for easiest access. Two screws are easy to find at the front near the steering wheel from below. One is a little more hidden, back behind the lever for the tilt/telescope release. Separate the two halves of the cover. The top half pulls out and up but does not separate from the console. Just fold it out of the way. The bottom cover is attached to some cables but you don't have to disconnect, just move it down a bit to get access.
See how the lock enters the column on the right side of the steering wheel? Follow the line of the key and find the ignition switch on the other side of the column. A big, multi-cable connector enters it from the top. Press the release latches on the top and bottom of the ignition switch and pull it out of the holder.
To release the cable connector you need to disengage the plastic safety catch by flipping the grey latch over. Then you can remove the switch from the cable and connect the new one. Flip the safety catch back up and snap the assembly back in place. Fold back the covers and put back the screws and you're done.
The manual calls to disconnect the negative battery cable before you do this procedure but I did not.
That way I had the beeping going on non stop while the door was open and I was working on the column cover. Once the switch was disconnected the beeping stopped and when it did not start up again after I plugged in the new switch I knew I had done it right (or had killed the car).

Next project will be to replace the sliding door lock actuators. Hope that goes just as smoothly.

Just did this fix to my '06, I was searching around the forum for instructions but here it is in the thread I started (rockon) Thanks for posting batmick!

Next up is repairing/replacing the turn signal stalk, doesn't return on right-hand signals...

 

[thaxman]

Next up is repairing/replacing the turn signal stalk, doesn't return on right-hand signals...

You too!? Crap, its an epidemic!

 

[00bluees]

I had to take my wife's keyfobs and where the battery makes contact inside of them, I sprayed a little contact cleaner on them, wiped them off, then bent the pins that make contact with the battery. It has not given me a problem ever since. It doesn't sound like the same problem except for maybe 00bluees issue.

I think i will try this route as it seems my issue is not associated with the beeping noise and security light as in the OP. That seems to be fine in my car.