Yesterday my daughter's 2008 Mazda 3 would not start. I noticed that the immobilizer light was flashing rapidly as I attemtped to turn the engine over. So, with the switch on I put the car in drive and back to park. The engine started normally. Later it had the same occurance once the car had sat for awhile. Now, the car will not turn over regardless of what I do. I took the battery cable loose to reset the ecu, and when I re-attached it, the immobilizer light was flashing rapidly. I put the key in, turned it on, and the light slowed to a 2 second interval flash. I again put the car in gear then back to park. The light now goes off once the switch is turned to "on", but again the car will not crank. Any advice or help is GREATLY appreciated.

 

Have you tried starting it with it in nuetral?

 

Yes sir. Although that didn't work. I finally tried to put the key in the ignition, turn switch to "on", then took the battery loose for a few minutes, hooked it up, and the car started fine. I'm worried that this issue could happen again while my daughter is out somewhere. Does anyone have any idea what has caused this? As a second note, The car's "immobilizer light" does not show up at all anymore regardless of the key being inserted or not, switch on, acc, etc.

 

It could happen again. I don't know the fix, but have seen this before, it is rare. My suggestion, leave the key in on position, without starting it, for 10 minutes, then without turning the key off start it. That sometimes works for older cars, but it's all I can add.

 

My car also has the immobilizer but when the car is on the light does not turn on. When its stopped and the key has been taken out it flashes every few seconds. My question is during any time have you purchased a new key of some sort? Like a spare that your using. The keys that come with the 3 have a chip inside to let the car know that is the right key. Either that or there is a wiring issue coming from the immobilizer system in which case I would strongly recommend that you go and talk to a Mazda dealership.

 

Do you have remote lock fob?

 

Yes. The car did not have a flip key or a fob with it when we bought it. I ordered an aftermarket fob that has always worked great. Whatever I did when I took the battery cable off while the switch was on seemed to have corrected the starting issue but, the light no longer blinks when there is no key inserted.

 

Do you have another key for the car?
If so do you have any trouble stating it with your 2nd key?