Mazda 5 FOB key housing broke...question

[fenderstratcat]

Hi wondering if anyone can help me please, the ring / plastic attachment broke on my mazda 5 remote FOB....the remote works, the key is working, just can't attach it to the key chain...can I just buy the housing without having to re-program the whole thing?
Thanks in advance
Emmett

 

[icspots]

You should be able to buy the remote portion of any Mazda flip key, disassemble the housing and use the intact piece in your remote. Alternately you could swap your circuit board into another three button flip remote instead. Shop around online and you should be able to find a 3 button flip remote (without the key) for around $30 or so. Compatibility doesn't matter since you just need the case.

 

[fenderstratcat]

Thanks for the response icspots, I will check out and see if I can find a 3 button remote....much appreciated.

 

[icspots]

For instance

http://cgi.ebay.com/07-08-2007-2008...r_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2a0f0c11b8

 

[turtlegirl]

Just have to say, the switchblade key is one of my kids' favorite things about the car. Sure, there are many favorite things about it, but they beg to unlock the car so they can switchblade the key out.

 

[Wishmaster]

Search the Forums a bit about the flipkeys and programming... many including myself have purchased the ebay keys, like icspots provided a link for, with no problems... and if memory serves... if you have two keys you can program the third yourself, if you only have one, you'll have to visit the dealer to have it programmed... cost me $40 I think.

 

[icspots]

Search the Forums a bit about the flipkeys and programming... many including myself have purchased the ebay keys, like icspots provided a link for, with no problems... and if memory serves... if you have two keys you can program the third yourself, if you only have one, you'll have to visit the dealer to have it programmed... cost me $40 I think.

As long as he keeps the board from his current remote (either by swapping the broken part out with a new one, or completely transplanting the board into another case) he won't need to program anything. The key portion just pops off of the remote portion so that will just pop back on afterwards.

That said I recommend getting a third key and programming it. Like Wishmaster said if you have two keys you can program in additional ones (up to eight) yourself, but if you only have one then the dealer has to program any new keys for you, generally at a cost of $50-100. That means if you have two keys you can buy a third one at cost and program it yourself. Then should you lose a key you only have to pay for a new key vs. having to pay for the dealer to program another key in for you. You could go through this sequence multiple times before matching the cost of having the dealer do it once.

 

[rkhanso]

My remote and switchblade don't stay together....but I caused it by taking it apart. You may want to re-check what is actually broken.

On my remote FOB, the broken part is actually on the key section. It's a little arm that, when pushed into the remote, is supposed to lock it in. You can clearly see the piece in this picture:

Notice the flimsy looking plastic piece between the larger ones at the bottom - it's attached to the longer black piece at the bottom? That's what holds the key into the remote. If yours is broken (or missing, like mine), you'll need the key, not the remote. I think the only way to get that part is to get a new key attached to it and then you'll have cut and re-program the new key.

I bought one at dealextreme for $19
http://www.dealextreme.com/p/mazda-m6-flip-remote-keyblade-16641

 

[icspots]

rkhanso, I'm pretty sure his issue is that the keychain loop is broken off the bottom.

As to your problem I have the exact same one. I was able to solve it simply by taking a small piece of cut paper (maybe 1/4" square) and fold it over the large plastic piece along the midline (where the little clip was attached). Then when I push it into the remote it friction fits.

Of course at one point the paper had fallen out and I'd lost it when I took the car to the dealer and as they went to pull the key out it separated. I said not to worry about it as I just needed to put the paper back in, however when I got the car back they noted on the work order "customer states key comes apart" and discovered they'd been "nice" enough to put a big gob of super glue between the two pieces to correct the problem. The glue of course came loose the first time I went to take the key out and has now completely obscured the visteon and FCC numbers..... all for something I told them not to worry about.

 

[rkhanso]

icspots: You are correct.
After I just re-read it, I was clearly on something when I re-read his post.

 

[Bastomatic]

This is an old thread, but I thought I would chime in. I bought a switchblade keyfob off eBay, after making sure the FCC ID was correct. The Key and fob cost about $50, and another $80 at a local locksmith to have the key cut and programmed, and the fob also programmed. It was much more expensive, like $300, for a new key at the dealership. I now have two working keys, so hooray.