Guide Self Programming Keys and Remote

[dwilo]

I have a 2009 mazda 6 JDM car. I lost the only key that I got when I purchased the car. If I buy 2 keys from ebay, how will I be able to program the new keys?

 

[dwilo]

VRMS6 can you help me?

 

[sense2k]

Hi, I'm new to this forum. I've never had a key like this before.
I am also trying to have a spare as the previous owner just had one switchblade. What is the difference between the section on "remote programming" vs "key programming"
I ask because I want to be clear on whether the "key programming" is done to properly "activate" the transponder chip???
so if you don't mind please it as clear as you are able - thank you for your help

Have seen a few posts asking how to program keys/remotes without going to the dealer. Im posting programming instructions for both. Please note you will need 2 working keys to program them. Remotes it doesnt matter if you have any or not...
NOTE: this is only for switchblade style and seperate key/remote fob only. Will not work with credit card type keys/remote.

Remote programming instructions

Step 1: Open drivers door and leave open.

Step 2: Lock and unlock the drivers door using the power door lock switch on the door.

Step 3: Insert key into the ignition.

Step 4: Turn key to on position and return to off position. (IMPORTANT - use ON position NOT ACC position). Do this 3 times within 10 seconds. Leave key in the ignition.

Step 5: Open and close the drivers door 3 times. (Door should be left open after this step).

Step 6: ECU should respond by locking and unlocking the doors.

Step 7: Press any button on remote #1 twice. ECU responds by locking and unlocking the car doors.

Step 8: Press any button on remote #2 (etc.) twice. Each time the ECU will respond by locking & unlocking the doors.

Step 9: Remove the key from the ignition and the ECU will respond a final time with a series of door locks and unlocks. You're done!



Key Programming Instructions

The timing is critical to this procedure, please read through the entire procedure before attempting.
Procedure:
1. Insert one of the pre-programmed transponder keys and turn the ignition to "on", leave on for at least one second (I wait until the red key symbol in the instrument cluster extiinguishes), remove the key from the ignition.
2. Within 5 seconds insert the second pre-programmed key and turn the ignition to "on" for at least one second but no more than 5 seconds (use the key symbol for this as well) then remove the second key.
3. within 10 seconds insert the new key in the ignition and turn the ignition to "on", if you are successful the red key symbol will illuminate then extinguish after about a second.

If you are not successful the red key symbol will flash repeatedly to indicate that you have inserted an invalid key. Remove the key, wait a minute and try it again, it took me a few times to get it perfect and I had done it before.

 

[manrav]

Hi. Thank you for the instructions! I recently got a used 2015 Mazda 6 Sport (Manual Transmission), basic model. Are there any instructions on the programming the key? This is not a keyless entry, but was wondering to see if I can program the car/remote to alert for head lights on? My previous car had this, the car will continue to beep if the lights are on (if the engine is off and with the door open).

Any help is appreciated!

 

[BT50Rules]

How do I program the remote for a 2014 BT50? I can't perform step 2 of the given procedure as I don't have a power door lock switch on the door

 

[Antoine]

First of all, thanks to VRMS6 for posting this...Looks like this guide has attracted a lot of people with questions over the years, hopefully @VRMS6 can chime in as well as anyone else who can help out...I've added a link to this thread in our Resources section.

Resources

www.mazdas247.com

 

[lawnmowerman]

Then I guess the obvious question is what the procedure for the credit card keys is...or do those have to go to the dealer for programming?

As a mechanic But not in the auto trade I find it infuriating that we cannot exchange or change key styles..I have 2010 CX-7 THAT HAS A CREDIT CARD STYLE KEY FOB. Can the info be transferred into a different style fob IE flip key. If so please elaborate.Thanks Larry In Canada

 

[ForScanGuy]

Hi Guys, Got a solution that will help many Mazda owners. I have had a number of Ford vehicles, from 02 Focus Wagon to 06 Ford Fusion. These vehicles use the PATS system for keys and security. Well, Ford and Mazda have been sharing parts and platforms for a while. Example, a 2006 Mazda 6 has the same engine and trans as the 2006 Ford Fusion. As best as I know, anyway.

So, with many Mazda cars that use Ford technology, you can program Mazda keys using the free ForScan program that interacts with the OBD and PATS system through the OBD2 port.

I successfully programmed some new keys for a 2013 Mazda 2 using the ForScan program and the same PATS approach I would use for a Ford vehicle. Here's what you need:

0. The correct key blank(s), with transponder chip, cut to match your current working key. I got my blanks off Amazon for $15 for one with integrated remote buttons and $10 for one with plain head. I got mine cut at a local mom & pop hardware store for under $5 each.
I got this one: https://www.amazon.com (commissions earned)

1. A Windows 10 or 11 laptop (or an Android phone/tablet may work too, I haven't used ForScan there.)

2. The ForScan program. Get it here: www.Forscan.org. Download page is Download FORScan

2. A USB to OBD2 cable that supports ELM-327. These are available on Amazon for $15 or so. You can also use an OBD2 to Bluetooth dongle to connect the OBD2 port to a PC or Android tablet using Bluetooth. The Forscan site has a list of recommended cables and Amazon links.

3. A ForScan extended license is required to access the PATS key programming functionality. You can buy for $20 or so through a couple vendors listed on the www.Forscan.org site.

4. Install the ForScan program on your laptop or tablet, and plug in your ELM-327 cable or bluetooth OBD2 device, and go into Forscan and tell it to connect to your OBD2 port.

5. Find a useful ForScan video on Youtube and Follow instructions in the video to program a new PATS key.
Some links:
This one was pretty helpful, covering the process once Forscan is installed.

Installing Forscan extended license to access PATS key programming functionality:

There are numerous other things you can do with ForScan; I'm only focusing on key programming here.

 

[ForScanGuy]

Just to clarify, since it's shown on the YT screenshot...
There is also a 60-day "trial" for the FORScan Extended License that is free.
It may take a day or so to get the trial license code from the support people.
In my case, I felt it was worth $20 for a year license to support the project. I've used FORScan for numerous Ford transponder keys over the last 5 or so years, but made enough extra keys I hadn't used it for a couple years.

While I was making the Mazda 2 keys, the FORScan program told me there were 4 active keys. Only 1 of them was in possession of the car's owner. I added the two new keys, 1 an integrated fob flip key, and one just a plain ignition key with no fob, and FORScan updated the total key count for the car to 6. If I was sure it was going to work, I might have erased all keys and started over, and just reprogrammed the 1 old key and the 2 new keys. I wasn't feeling lucky, so I just added the 2 new keys. Previously, I have successfully erased all keys and programmed several new keys for a 2003 Ford F-150, so that FORScan functionality DOES seem to work. Here, I didn't want to risk winding up with "Zero" working ignition keys for someone else's car.