CRAP! my key broke in half, is it common for rx7 keys to be weak?
05-19-12, 12:39 AM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (5)
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: USA
Posts: 278
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
CRAP! my key broke in half, is it common for rx7 keys to be weak?
a couple days ago i wanted to open the hatch to put something in the car, and the key just twisted and snapped in half! i'm thankful the key didn't get stuck in the lock cylinder, but i don't have a spare
i brought it to a local locksmith and he said he could try to copy the key with what i had, he put them back together and made a copy, the new key doesn't work, even if i wiggle it, and it also seems to be twisting!
i took a look at my friends key for his FD, and it also seems to be very fragile in the same area, his has slight "cuts" on the very edge of the key
is this a common problem for FD's? my next step is to go to the dealership with a copy of the registration and insurance to get an OEM key cut from the code that they have in the computer
i brought it to a local locksmith and he said he could try to copy the key with what i had, he put them back together and made a copy, the new key doesn't work, even if i wiggle it, and it also seems to be twisting!
i took a look at my friends key for his FD, and it also seems to be very fragile in the same area, his has slight "cuts" on the very edge of the key
is this a common problem for FD's? my next step is to go to the dealership with a copy of the registration and insurance to get an OEM key cut from the code that they have in the computer
05-19-12, 12:53 AM
#4
Full Member
Join Date: May 2011
Location: baltimore
Posts: 73
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
From what the dealer told me yes its a common problem because the keys are long and they have deep groves in it which create weak points and over time they brake my broke when I tried to open the trunk
Trending Topics
05-19-12, 05:20 AM
#9
No, not OEM keys.
You might try asking the locksmith if he could do better if you pulled a lock cylinder and brought it in to the store. If so, get two or three GOOD examples. After that, the more copies of other copies you make, the less exact/precise they'll be.
You might try asking the locksmith if he could do better if you pulled a lock cylinder and brought it in to the store. If so, get two or three GOOD examples. After that, the more copies of other copies you make, the less exact/precise they'll be.
05-21-12, 12:00 PM
#14
Depending on the "code" for the key, the cuts closer to the fob end can get really thin. That is most likely why yours broke, the cuts at the end are very thin. My key has minimal depth cuts at the fob end and is original.
Very common for many vehicles with deep cuts to break.
You can replace or re-code all the cylinders to have a different series of cuts, but that will cost a bit and you won't have the security of Mazda having the code for you.
For this series of keys there are 11 cuts at up to 7 different depths if I remember correctly.
Very common for many vehicles with deep cuts to break.
You can replace or re-code all the cylinders to have a different series of cuts, but that will cost a bit and you won't have the security of Mazda having the code for you.
For this series of keys there are 11 cuts at up to 7 different depths if I remember correctly.
05-21-12, 12:29 PM
#15
Project Restore
iTrader: (6)
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Houston
Posts: 219
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I've bent my non-OEM key on the driver's side door lock. It was a precursor to failure of the locking mechanism. If the lock is getting harder to open with the key over time, start looking a lubing the mechanisms.
05-21-12, 02:55 PM
#17
Junior Member
iTrader: (14)
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Pittsburgh, Pa
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
i had a key break (it was a home depot cut key) but my oem key cracked in the same spot (way my key is cut, at the very end nearest the keyring it is skinnier than any other spot by a good 1/16-3/32")
05-23-12, 03:58 PM
#19
Full Member
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Maplpewood, NJ
Posts: 108
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Broke mine off 1 O'clock in the morning and I was 2 hours from home. Good thing I was able to get the broken piece out. Got a friend that was at the bar with me drive me to a 24 Wal-Mart and made myself a new key. That was seven years ago and never had the problem again.
05-23-12, 07:29 PM
#21
Senior Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (5)
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: USA
Posts: 278
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
yeah, the locksmith i took the broken key to made me a copy, and it worked perfectly, now i'm gonna make 3 more just in case, i might even keep 2 keys on 1 key chain just in case one breaks while i'm on the road!
05-24-12, 02:37 PM
#23
Junior Member
iTrader: (14)
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Pittsburgh, Pa
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
id recommended that everyone has 2 keys at all times, i keep 3. i broke one and bent another in like 6 months (but my key is cut near the head further than most)
