Is that a feature that comes in the car that has to be 're-activated' periodically as a person is making payments on a vehicle?Apparently my car has an "immobilizer",
My sister had that on her old car, an alero. She ended up just having to get a new key fob thing and get it reprogramed. Something Like $100 for key fob thing from the dealership, then it would have been another $150 or more for reprogrammed the dam thing, but she is an accountant for an autobody shop and the guys in the shop were able to reprogram it for her for either free or steeply discounted.SON OF A *****!!!!!!!!
Grrrrrrrrrrrrrr...
Fat lot of good that feature does me. Apparently my car has an "immobilizer", which when working correctly means that the car communicates with a little microchip in my key and the car will only start when that key is being used to start the car. I always thought the the little red blinking light on the dashboard that represented the "alarm" was enabled on my vehicle was a bunch of hogwash, apparently it really does something. See I know this now b/c somehow the immobilizer on my vehicle is screwed. Meaning that even with the right keys the stupid car won't start. :\
And the only people that can fix it now is the dealership. So I have a brick of a car sitting in my driveway that now has to be towed to the dealership where they will ream me a new one on getting the stupid thing fixed.
Is that a feature that comes in the car that has to be 're-activated' periodically as a person is making payments on a vehicle?
I am asking because I saw something similar on a vehicle that was from your part of the world - Commando Girl had one of those things on her vehicle that would disable it if she didn't make a timely car payment.
I was thinking to myself ... Savages!!!
JR
I've had double sided keys cut for years at the local hardware store. The problem is with the keys that are 'chipped.' Those cost 45 at the local Chevy dealer.On my 1998 Mazda the key was double cut so it didn't matter if it was "up" or "down". Of course duplicate/spare keys couldn't be made at the local key cutter you had to buy them from Mazda for $100. nice. Glad you didn't need the tow and I hope it's something simple.
Cap'n I probably should have been more clear, the Mazda double cut keys aren't cut on the edges (like a Ford for example) the blank is straight and solid and the "cut" is "routed" out of the center of each side. Actually the dealer couldn't even cut one. He needed to send ti out and have it done. It took a week or so to get the new key.I've had double sided keys cut for years at the local hardware store. The problem is with the keys that are 'chipped.' Those cost 45 at the local Chevy dealer.
Oh, I get it. I've never seen that before. I drove a Protege5 years ago and I think it was cut like a Ford key. is that a fairly new thing with mazda?Cap'n I probably should have been more clear, the Mazda double cut keys aren't cut on the edges (like a Ford for example) the blank is straight and solid and the "cut" is "routed" out of the center of each side. Actually the dealer couldn't even cut one. He needed to send ti out and have it done. It took a week or so to get the new key.
Ever consider a TracFone? They have a deal on their site where you get a reconditioned Motorola flip/camera phone with lifetime double minutes and a 60 minute card for 20 bucks.To continue the rant:The guy at the at&t store tells me that my cheapest option to get an operational phone today is to buy a cheap phone from Walmart and put my SIM card in it. I have to go through the warranty system and have the phone manufacturer send me a new phone. My only other recourse with them is to buy an early upgrade at the contract renewal price plus $75.00. WTF good is a service contract if they can't/won't service a 6 month old phone?! I should be buying the Walmart throw-away phones for $30.00 a pop.
I think mazda only did this for a few years. I think the keys that MA is talking about are the "flip out" style key similar to what VW and Audi use. I know mazda used these for a few model years after my vehicle but they have gone back to a regular key since then. The loaner that I'm driving is an '09 and it has a standard key.Oh, I get it. I've never seen that before. I drove a Protege5 years ago and I think it was cut like a Ford key. is that a fairly new thing with mazda?
Very good point. I should ditch this shitbox I have and buy something European. Got any suggestions? A smart car maybe?That's the problem with your car, RW. It's not European.
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