mx5cartalk.com

Hey guys,

Just picked up my first MX5 this week (1990 NA) and it's got a fair few issues with the locks. Most of which I knew about before buying, but unfortunately things have gotten more complicated since then so I've come here for some advice.

- Firstly, it has an aftermarket alarm with central locking. The remote is falling apart (as they do after a few years in pockets) and I thought I could get a replacement using a learning remote. Unfortunately I can only get the new remote to work once at a time so it looks like the alarm is on a rolling code I'm not sure if it's worth ordering a replacement from the alarm manufacturer? (there's no indication of the brand on the keychain, hopefully there's something on the alarm itself).
- Secondly, the keys don't turn in the door locks. The key slides in cleanly but there's no give at all, it's like the key is wrong but the previous owner (who is a forum user and has been completely honest with me in a lot of other ways) is sure that they haven't been replaced. The passenger side internal slider is very, very stiff as well, and doesn't lock with the central locking (but will unlock fine). I'm guessing that the latter is just a case of pulling the door off and checking/lubricating the mechanism, but does anyone know why the door locks would be completely stuck? I've tried graphite lubricant but it isn't stiff so much as stuck.
- The boot lock is completely buggered, it looks like someone has tried to get into it with a screwdriver as the barrel is very bent. The lock works with 5 minutes or so of jiggling and praying but this is obviously going to need to be fixed. If I do redo the central locking for the rest of the car is it worth putting an actuator on the boot as well?

What would you guys do in my place? Is it worth scrapping the whole alarm and putting a new one in? I'd be willing to take a crack at installing it myself, I'm hoping it's easier to replace an existing system than set one up from scratch. In other news, I'm at least in the market for a new boot lock tumbler and key if anyone has one

Cheers!

First ascertain whether the locks are workable ie whether you have the wrong key, or the barrel is stuffed. It's possible the ignition barrel was replaced at some stage and the key now no longer matches the door locks. Any locksmith can help with that.

I'd completely rip out the alarm. Most are more problem than they're worth. If you still want remote central locking (I always do), buy a central locking kit (not alarm) and fit that instead - just check it has boot release function with the remote. I'd definitely fit the boot release to work with the remote. I also ran extra wires through to the center console and fitted a switch in there to open the boot. It's not difficult and makes a big convenience improvement!

Good luck ...

as above, i'd dump the alarm in the bin, they're usually more trouble than they're worth.
If theft is a concern i'd just wire in a killswitch to a hidden position.


Lock wise, I've be replacing all the barrels, it's not worth the hassle of fixing them. If you want to have the one key for everything take the new door (and boot) barrels to a locksmith, they should be able to re-key them to work with the old key. I can't say what the cost was, last time I had it done was more than 10 years ago.

Central locking i'd just buy any kit, they're all pretty universal.


Boot release, personally i'd just buy the release lever from an NA8, it's just a lever next to the fuel flap one, pretty sure it fits an NA6.
I still don't know why Mazda skipped putting one in the NA6, i suspect it was to save $5 per car.

hks_kansei wrote:Boot release, personally i'd just buy the release lever from an NA8, it's just a lever next to the fuel flap one, pretty sure it fits an NA6.

It's more involved than that as the boot lock mechanism in early NA6 does not have provision for the end of the cable to attach or mount to.

I've got the components necessary from an NA8 to retrofit into my NA6 and may tackle this on the weekend and do a write up if successful.

And how much did you pay for those parts Steampunk?

Thanks for the replies guys. As it stands now I'm probably looking at getting the locks out and to a locksmith to see what can be done, then scrapping the alarm and replacing it with new central locking, preferably with a boot opener. I'll hunt around too to see if I can get a replacement for the boot lock given that it's completely shot.

The fact that the key to the ignition goes in to the doors easily but doesn't turn reminds me of some kind of master/slave deal where it was never intended to open the doors, though from what I can see that wasn't normal for the model. I suppose it could have just been a spare cut badly at some point that was never tested on the doors?

Thanks again for the help.

it's possible, but unlikely.

Most likely i'd suggest is that the door key and ignition keys are different and the previous owner forgot (probably only ever used the remote)

Only other thing I can think is that the locks have rusted up or something, or whoever broke into the boot also had a go at the doors and munted the insides.