Help Identifying Remote

[tommyleeyyz]

Hello all,

Just picked up a 2006 Mazda 3 and one of the first things I'm doing is joining these forums as they have been indispensable for my other Mazda, a 1996(!!!) MPV.

Attached is a photo of the key set that I received (2 sets) that include the remote unlock, transponder key (is OEM Mazda--logo is facing down), and the round fob that I'm asking your help in identifying.

Asked sales-guy if it was factory or after-market--he wasn't sure. I checked all over the web looking for any reference to this thing and read through the owner's manual, but I came up empty. All I know is that I was told it needed to be pressed in order to start the engine, which is true. Well, that sounds like some sort of engine immobilizer system, but after reading various forums, it sounds like that's the point of the Mazda transponder key, so what is this thing?

I suspect that it is indeed some sort of after-market engine immobilizer, but wouldn't that be redundant?

Would appreciate any thoughts, and if it is an immobilizer, where I can look for the module to confirm.

Cheers

 

[icspots]

Where are you located?

Nope, that's not OEM. It sounds like whatever dealer originally sold the car added on some "features" that they then overcharged for. That the features were unnecessary doesn't seem to have mattered.

You should probably go ahead and pick up a third key btw. The way the key system works is this. You can have eight keys total. If you have two working ones you can program additional ones yourself in about 15 seconds. If you lose one of them then the dealer will have to program them via computer (a 45 minute process) and will charge you for the time. So by getting a third key now if you lose one in the future you can just program a new one in.

Oh also since you have a '06 model you can unlock the DIS computer.
-Close the driver's door, insert key in ignition.
-push and hold CD and FM/AM
-turn ignition to ON
-wait until "DIS ON" is displayed and you're done.

 

[tommyleeyyz]

Hey icspots,

Thanks for the confirmation. With that info, I managed to find out that it's one of those aftermarket engine immobilizers that replaces the starter fuse.

It is redundant, but apparently that's the point. A car thief who may know how to defeat the factory immobilizer may not be thinking that there's one more and not want to waste anymore time with the car. Then again, if I know this, then they probably do too.

Cheers