mx5cartalk.com

So, my mx5 key shell broke today - specifically the clip that holds the blade half to the button half.

I understand there is a transponder in the top half of this key.

Has anyone managed to buy a new shell, removed the transponder and 'implanted' it into the new shell?

Any guidance would be appreciated.

I assume you've had a look through Ebay? I got a replacement remote case for my NB8B from US Ebay

Hi Gary,

They have the shells on ebay however I'm not sure how easy it is to transplant the encoder chip from the orignal top half of the flip key into the replacement.

Unfortunately the clip that holds the top half to the bottom half (where the buttons are) has broken. Which means cutting a new key and if possible - transplanting the chip which appears to be slotted in somewhere near the top half of the flip key.

Have you had any success in sorting this out?
Greg.

If the new flip key shell is identical to the old, removing the key itself and installing to the new shell should be pretty straight forward. The only fiddly bit would be containing the flip spring - that wouldn't take more then 10 minutes of mucking about anyway.

The transponder chip may be glued in place, sometimes with a silicon/rubbery compound. It should be removable by slicing out with a razor blade and re-glueing/siliconing into the new flip key shell. The transponder basically a little hard plastic black wedge. On some keys it's wedged between the key fob interior plastics. Nothing a small jewellers set screw driver wouldn't fix.

There are plenty of videos on youtube demonstrating this just a simple "transplant flip key" search away.

Hi Greg - yet to give it a shot. Caught up in house reno's.

Droo - thanks for the insight. It'll definitely help

I have just had this happen on my 3 case - dealer said you cant buy cases, just glue it up with superglue....I got a case off ebay - the part that latches the halves together needed some filing to get it catch properly. It will take some digging to get the chip out the old head - slug of dark grey stuff, probably 8x3x8mm in a pocket near the key shank. You need to pry the mazda logo piece out to expose a screw head to dismantle the top part of the case. The bottom half is clipped together. Less than 1 turn on the spring or its stuffed.

Not very well designed or made at all IMHO.
jp 09 3, 92 NA6

This is the repair when the clip on mine broke.
I drilled a small hole and used a screw to hold it together.

I've done this before, it's pretty easy. Just get a replacement off ebay. I think I found a video on YouTube which had the instructions.

be aware a lot of the shells on eBay wont fit, the battery is all wrong, the remote circuit board is the wrong size and none of the parts will fit the original case.
I have tried two different suppliers and both the same.
Damn annoying!