1998 Mazda Protege - replaced battery now won't start

[khc1313]

Hello,

Bought this 1998 Mazda Protege used and unfortunately without an owner's manual. We replaced the battery last night and now the anti-theft light is blinking and the car will not start. We have had the light flash and engine not start before shortly after we purchased it last year and the dealership told us a way to get it to start but unfortunately we do not remember all of the steps and have been unable to reach them again. Everything I have found online says to look in the owner's manual for assistance but I can't find any version of it online. Thank you in advance for any help.

 

[hornsfan10609]

I don't have any experience with the 2nd gens but on the 3rd gen factory alarm there is a hidden black reset button for the alarm under the dash on the driver's side. Maybe this car has something similar.

 

[concept]

I found this on FIXYA:

It sounds like the car's security system is going off. Is there a key fob to lock/unlock doors and turn on alarm? If there is, connect battery, and immediately press alarm/unlock button to turn alarm off.
I have a truck with an aftermarket alarm system installed by the previous owner, my battery died, and when I hooked up a new one the alarm went off, and it took a while before I hit the key fob button, but it stopped it. Let me know if this works for u.

Replacing a battery should not disable your alarm fob. You should simply press the unlock button, get in and start the car.