Here's the deal. I never made a spare key and this bullshit happened. I misplaced my car key and now i need to get one cut. I talked to a locksmith and he said it would be cheaper to take out the door panel myself and check a 'horseshoe lock that has the code there. He said sometimes theres a lock sometimes there is not. I want to know if anyone knows anything about this. IF theres a lock then hopefully theres a code. IF there is a code with numbers then there able to just go off the code and cut me a fresh key for $35. I want to get my baby running again. What other solutions does anyone have? Thanks in advance for any input.

 

the original passenger side door lock had the key code on it. its a 4 digit number.

you could try calling mazda with the vin number, on a car this old you have about a 50/50 shot they will have the key code in the computer, it'll match the number on the lock, if everything is factory.

 

dude thanks for your input. It was really helpful. I was gonna open the drivers side today. Hah luckily you said it's the passengers.

 

Let me know how that works out for you...I've lost the key to my outside doors, luckily still have the ignition though.

 

If that doesnt work for you, here's what I did.

I bought my buddies 86 coupe and he lost the keys. The car was unlocked but the ignition is stuck and i'm doing a swap, wanting to move the car around. I took the trunk, and the passanger side lock. And it didnt have any numbers on it. So I took the ignition off and brought it to him and he made a key that works for the ignition, but doesn't really work for the door locks, even though they're the same.

To get the ignition off you take off the plastic cover to everything (basic stuff)
Unplug all the wires plugging into it.
Then theres 2 bolts going down into the ignition holding it to the stearing collum. Those bolts dont have any kind of hex, litterally they're rounded. So I drilled one off and somehow the other one was loosend up.

Im not trying to boast but I'm really good at drilling fasteners out. I have to do it all the time at Boeing. Another way you can try to get it off is using a punch and ball-pin hammer to tap the side of the bolt to try to get it to loosen up. I skipped trying that because theres not that much room...

I would recomend putting 2 new bolts in (with a hex head of course)

Hope this helps.

 

You can grab the round bolts with a vice grip too.

 

When i lost my key I called Mazda with my VIN and got 2 freebies..

 

When i bought my FD the 1 key i got was shot. I didn't want to make a copy of a crappy key, the peaks and valleys were way worn. I got the key code and called 3 different locksmith before i got ahold of 1 that would make a key code replica. The keys he made were Perfect as if i just got a new car.

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by 321GTU

When i lost my key I called Mazda with my VIN and got 2 freebies..

This is the only post you need to read. Trust me.

 

In AUS dealers dont like to give out codes you need VIN #, proof of ownership/rego papers and then they charge you about $25.00 for the key code.
Then you have to go to a locksmith and get the key cut.
Take out the drivers door lock, should have a key code.
If not take it to your local locksmith and they can make a key from the lock.
I am a Locksmith and have been doing this for a little over ten years.

 

Well then, it's a good thing he's in the US where the dealers will cut you a new key as long as you have the VIN. Usually free if you can show ownership.

 

in california its actually required you show ownership, although its not a big deal.

also the key code is not always in the computer...

 

j9fd3s is right. ALTHOUGH, i got lucky. THIS IS WHAT I DID. If one thing went wrong i would've spent more money but luckily $20 was all i had to spend. Went to mazda with my registration papers they require so they can match up the VIN and name and car. From there they gave me a free paper with the key code and other updates and warrantys done to the car. It even said the original owners name on there. Anyway, told a local locksmith the key code and he was able to run the code and get the cuts for it. A FLAT $20 was all he asked. His whole business was inside his truck but it was totally legit. Another business with property was charging me $35+ tax. I got a great deal. It fit perfect as if i got a new car. Made a spare right away. End of story.

Morel of the story is.. check your local mazda dealership 1st. They should have the VIN code. That saves you a great hassle tearing apart your door to check even IF there's a key code there.

 

all the dealerships ive worked at, we had a key cutter, but ymmv?

 

Thats true. Although they're not as cheap as $20 flat. Thats as far as the mazda dealership by me..

 

If you don't feel like taking the door lock out..the REAR HATCH lock is really accessable and EASY as hell to get at,,
you can remove the tumbler in like 2 minutes and take it to a Locksmith,get a NEW set of keys and you are Stylin!

 

stylin.. l0l. No need to take it to a locksmith. IT's cheapest if they go by getting the key code. Thats getting to the direct point. Not all the time the key code is there. IN the hatch even i'm not even sure if its there. Either way, a dealership should have the key code by VIN. from there, you can easily take that to your local preferable locksmith. Best route to take. Especially since mazda gives you the code free of charge. I'm just glad i got my baby back running. Aghh. Can't wait until i get this rear wheel bearing. The noise is SOOOOO LOUUDDDDD.

 

dealership is the way to go to get the code usually. But there there was one time i went to a locksmith cause i lost a key to one of my cars. He just looked it up my vin in his computer n made a key for me on the spot. But this was a while back. I didnt know they could do that

 

The dealership method used to work quite well, but I think as these cars get older it's more hit-and-miss. When I bought my current S4 in 2007, it came with just one crummy bent key. Congressional Mazda in Rockville, MD initially told me they probably couldn't find such an old key code using the VIN, then the younger guy at the parts counter consulted with an older guy and they found it. They wanted $35 per key to make me one, so I ordered one just to get the 4-digit code. As mentioned above, they required proof of ownership, plus they had to special order the correct blank which took a few days.