Valet Key

[dw8]

I have had the same thing happen. Went Kayaking with the key in my pocket and dumped several times and the key still worked. Not sure I would COUNT on them being water proof but I sure was lucky/thankful!

I know the feeling. I was at the beach this past summer. Was asked to get something from the 5. Totally forgot to take the key out off my pocket. The key spent a solid half hour submerged in salt water. I took the key apart immediately. It was completely dry inside. I am still using that same key today.

 

[Heat]

Check out this thread before you make a decision.

http://mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123695620

Interesting, I guess there are some good deals on ebay. I've already ordered parts from the dealer though, I'll report back with how things work out.

But I think that it is important that people make a third key somehow - if you only have two keys and lose one, you have to go to the dealer, pay MSRP, and an hour of labor. From the other thread:

$350 for a switchblade key with transponder
$150 for a normal chipped key, no transponder
Prices are on the high side since labor is included since they only had one key.

 

[OilGuy]

$150 for a normal chipped key, no transponder

I paid $28 for a cut, chipped key from my dealer.

 

[Heat]

I paid $28 for a cut, chipped key from my dealer.

Exactly.

$28 for a cut, chipped key from the dealer since you had two working keys. They did a "follow" on the third key which is easy to do, no labor charge.

If you only have one working key and order a spare, they have to program the key with the car which is at least one hour of labor, so $150 for the spare key.

It's the same deal with the transponder - if you have two working transponders you can program (follow) a third transponder relatively easily. If you only have one transponder you have to have it programmed which is going to run at least one hour of labor.

This is why it is important to have, at a minimum, a replacement key for $28, or better yet a replacement key and transponder for about $180 (internet price). Think of it as insurance.

 

[Xcapee]

Exactly.
If you only have one working key and order a spare, they have to program the key with the car which is at least one hour of labor, so $150 for the spare key.

It's the same deal with the transponder - if you have two working transponders you can program (follow) a third transponder relatively easily. If you only have one transponder you have to have it programmed which is going to run at least one hour of labor.

Hi there,
I just purchased a 2006 Mazda that came with one key only. I have ordered two chipped keys that have been cut but not programmed. If I take one to a locksmith and pay them to scan the original and programme the second as a copy, can this copy be used to then do a follow on the third key? Or is it identical to the first and therefore not two different keys?

If I take the key to my Mazda dealer, can they give me a unique code from the VIN? or do they need to reprogram the ECU?

TIA

 

[KBrian]

Hi there,
I just purchased a 2006 Mazda that came with one key only. I have ordered two chipped keys that have been cut but not programmed. If I take one to a locksmith and pay them to scan the original and programme the second as a copy, can this copy be used to then do a follow on the third key? Or is it identical to the first and therefore not two different keys?

If I take the key to my Mazda dealer, can they give me a unique code from the VIN? or do they need to reprogram the ECU?

TIA

Bad news, Xcapee, you cannot avoid paying someone (dealer, likely) at least an hour of labour to manually program a second key to work with your 5.

The vin # can get you a new key cut that will open a door and release the steering lock, but it will not start the 5. For that, you need the chipped keys programmed to start your specific 5.

Each time you program keys for your specific 5, you must program all the keys at the same time, and you must begin with at least two that are already programmed for your 5.

 

[Xcapee]

Thanks for that. What I don't understand though is that there are locksmiths that offer to copy the key for ~$150, from a single key, without needing the vehicle, just one key. Perhaps they are using a different chip that can be written as an exact copy of the first?

 

[KBrian]

Thanks for that. What I don't understand though is that there are locksmiths that offer to copy the key for ~$150, from a single key, without needing the vehicle, just one key. Perhaps they are using a different chip that can be written as an exact copy of the first?

Locksmiths may have access to the same programming information that the mazda dealer had, and they are doing what the service dept. would do during the hour + to reprogram a new chipped key, IMO.

 

[SGT_OKINAWA]

I'm so glad I'll never have to get a "key cut" for my Premacy...

Here is my car keys:

Peace!(rei)

 

[KBrian]

I'd hate to drop that bad boy on a concrete sidewalk

 

[tangasaurus]

ok, i read through this, and I want someone else's opinion before I jump in face first, and cost myself a $100 trip to the dealer.

I have 2 transponder fobs
I have a chipped valet key

The valet USED to work to operate the vehicle - I tried it out (let gf borrow car, and was going to give her the valet) the valet wont start the car now

can i use the instructions floating around in the forum to reprogram the valet, to follow the transponders i have?

 

[icspots]

If you only have one working key then no, you need two working keys in order to do the self programming.

Side note, when you insert the now non-working key into the ignition does the immobilizer light flash quickly?