Immobilizer Malfunction?! WTH?!

[phoenixrage]

I got an 05 GT hatch, which i picked up from a used car dealer, the car would crank, but not catch, and the gauge cluster would go crazy while its trynig to start. I checked the manual, and it says it means a malfunction in the immobilizer system.

any quick fix for this? or do I have to tow the car to the dealer?

[Jeff-TheBiz]

I got an 05 GT hatch, which i picked up from a used car dealer, the car would crank, but not catch, and the gauge cluster would go crazy while its trynig to start. I checked the manual, and it says it means a malfunction in the immobilizer system.

any quick fix for this? or do I have to tow the car to the dealer?

If you still have warranty, call road side assistance.

1-877-416-2932

[Noisy Crow]

I got an 05 GT hatch, which i picked up from a used car dealer, the car would crank, but not catch, and the gauge cluster would go crazy while its trynig to start. I checked the manual, and it says it means a malfunction in the immobilizer system.

any quick fix for this? or do I have to tow the car to the dealer?

Does anything else not work? Lights, radio.....

[5_Alive]

That happened to me in the Cobalt. GM cars do that when the battery is dying/dead. Did you check that at all?
Do you hear lots of relays and clicking sounds?

[phoenixrage]

radio still works, and everything works except it won't start. I tried both keys and its the same thing.

Don't think I still have any warranty left from mazda to qualify for the road side assitance.

[baymoe]

Perhaps as last resort before getting the vehicle towed, try reprogramming the key. I'm not sure how data is stored within the immobilizer unit, but there could have been a short or corrupted data within memory.

Quote from another thread.
**** programming the key ****

Items needed:
1. 2 pre-programmed transponder keys.
2. 1 new transponder key

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 urn 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.

[sas]

Manual says:
“The security indicator light illuminates for about 3 seconds and goes out”
If you have the same, then more like your immobilizer is OK.
On my car, I can to disable immobilizer by electronic key.

Do check fuses.

Fuse & Relay Box:
F/Pump F24
Engine Fuse F9
EGI/ING F34
ENG B+ F30

Passenger Box:
Engine Fuse F69

[sas]

I had read in another thread, about “going to crazy” gauge because of bad ground of engine.

[phoenixrage]

the symbol is flashing like how the manual describes when there is an immobilizer malfunction.

I don't have access to a new transponder key, so i'll just have to get it towed. Just gotta make sure the dealer I bought it from is paying for it since its only been 3 days since I picked up the car.

[mazda lover]

Not sure if this would help but disconnect the battery wait a few minutes and reconnect, maybe someone else will chime in and say na or ya, just a thought...

[sas]

^^^ +1 Computers like to be reset.

[slymazda]

Do you drive a standard or automatic? If you drive a standard then it might be your clutch switch....just my 2 cents!!!

[Noisy Crow]

Do you drive a standard or automatic? If you drive a standard then it might be your clutch switch....just my 2 cents!!!

Good try, but...wouldn't even crank then....

[phoenixrage]

its ok, the dealer took care of things by arranging a tow to the mazda dealer near them, and they'll reprogram it or do whatever to get it fixed.

we'll see what happens when I get it back.

the mazda roadside assitance expired in august for this car.