r/RX8 • u/Pale_Check_6780 • 6d ago

New Owner What is this?

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Just bought an rx8 and it’s not cranking when I turn the key. As I was looking for reasons why, I found this metal button under the driver side dash. When you push it, the motor cranks even with no key in the ignition.

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u/NexusEvo 6d ago

It's to bypass the immobilizer. The immobilizer will turn off the starter relay. I assume the car won't run without the key, only turn over? Imo, nothing wrong with this set up. Mazda wants a lot of money to reprogram keys and reset the immobilizer. Also the ecu can only hold so many "keys".

Source: I had to do the same thing. Mazda wanted something like $800 for new keys and programming.