How to work P5 Alarm?

Weborific

Member
Hi! Just got my P5 the other day. Bought used (2002). I just don't know how the alarm works. Or if there is one at all. I also noticed that there is a momentary push-button dangling from the fuse-box (the cover is missing). So I don't know if the push-button comes from the factory or the previous owner. I have a blinking red LED, but don't know what it's even there for. Just a theft-deterent? Basically, I never hear the alarm (horn) sound unless I hit the panic button. Is there a way to arm/disarm the alarm? Does it sound if someone tried to break-in the car or if the car takes an inpact? Should I replace it with another alarm? Gonna have a starter installed in a few months anyway. What do you guys think? THANKS!
 
If the remote, which is called a "fob" looks like this: key fob then you have no alarm otherwise you prabably have an alarm which is aftermarket. The way to check is to roll down one of the windows, close all the doors and "arm or lock" the car. Then lift up the little piller (which goes up and down when you lock and unlock the car) and open the door. If an alarm goes off you car has an alarm, if not then you have the stock system what is called "keyless entry."
 
It is for the enjection seat "EJECT-O, SEAT-O." sorry had to say it. I am not sure what that it. When you go to have your alarm installed you can ask them what it is. The car might have had an alarm installed and was then taken out when the pervious owner sold the car and that piece was left over.
 
I hate to discredit AbsoluteSwed or anything, but pretty sure you are wrong. :)

I have a 2002.5 P5 with a stock/factory keyless entry fob (like the one you showed a picture of) and I have an alarm. I know - sounds weird - but I think Mazda's factory alarm is actually better than most people give it credit. Most people think it's simply a keyless entry system like pretty much every other factory system out there. Here's what I've learned:

1.) Forced entry - I rolled down the windows and opened the car manually like you suggested and the alarm (intermittent horn blasts) went off.
2.) Percussion - This is actually impressive. I have had the alarm give me a "warning blast" (one short horn honk) when a car with a loud muffler drove by, as well as from me tapping the rear-passenger window firmly. So I'm pretty convinced there's SOME sort of percussion sensor in there that's triggering the alarm.

I'm pretty sure there's no aftermarket alarm system installed, as I use the factory key fob to gain entry to the car. There's no system out there that can use that fob is there?

As far as the button, I'd wager to say it's the valet button. Most security systems have valet buttons so that you can give a key to a valet parker, and when they open your car (with just a key) and the alarm goes off, they can disable it using the button. But that's just a guess. I haven't found one of these in my car.

Hope that helps, and hope I'm right! LOL
ZD
 
I was wondering for those of you who have no alarm. what does the red panic button do for you?
 
The remote control is for what is termed keyless entry. The red button with the exclamation mark on it is the Panic Button, it only serves to sound the horn in case you want to get people's attention. The factory alarm system ties in and is also operated by the control. The alarm will only be activated if you lock your car with the control. If you lock it using the switch on the driver's door the alarm is inactive. To test on a P5, do as AbsoluteSwed says. The "percussion" that theZD refers to is called the shock sensor. It is adjustable, so if you live near an airport or have a lot of unmuffled Harleys driving by you won't get a bunch of false alarms.

One way to tell if you have the factory alarm is a red LED mounted on the gauge surround. When I originally installed the one in my sedan I mounted it per the instructions in the center of the surround. I didn't like the reflection so I got another surround and mounted the LED on the left side, where it is hidden by the turn signal stalk while driving.

For anyone interested I have a couple of factory alarm systems I sourced while putting one together for my gf car. I am waiting on the LEDs to come in (I had to buy the wiring harness since she has a '99 and all the ones I bought are for newer models) so that I can sell a complete set-up. I will be listing them on here.
 
Oh yeah, forgot about the dangling button. With the factory alarm there is an emergency override switch that is mounted under the steering column. Not sure if that is what you see in yours or not.
 
Thanks for all the info. It's just what I was looking for. So I did the tests... Nothing happened. Window open, got in the car, no prob. shook the car, nadda. Guess the previous owner disabled the factory alarm. Panic button works, though. Also, and I just noticed this.. I don't know if it's related, but aren't the ORANGE side markers (on the front fender of 2002, not near the mirrors of 2003 model) supposed to blink when you flash blinker to change lane? Mine are solid. Actually, I think they were solid on my 1995 Protege, not sure. If that's the case, I'll definately install side markers like on 2003 model. Thanks!
 
Hi all, its bee a long time since I posted, BUT, here is another way to tell if you have the factory alarm or not. IF you have the flashing LED in front of your steering wheel, it HAS the factory alarm, if not, it doesn't and the fobs look the same wheather or not you have an alarm. I have two P5's, one for me, one for the wife. there are both 2002's Mine came with a factory alarm, hers didn't.
 
mines stock but if i use the key after I pushed the lock button the horn and lights go crazy until you turn the car on with the key....
 
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