im a little curious on buying new OEM exterior handle units

I know most OEM sources the units comes with new door lock cylinder also and lock hole light


does that mean I need new keys ? does it come with new key?

I suppose my old key wont work with the new unit ?

I have bought a few mint condition ones in the pass and simply swapped over the lock cylinder unit.

but it seems a little stupid to pay 200$ for a new 1 side from USA source and not being able to use that part . where as I can buy a brand new side for about half price from japan and it doesn't come with the unusable lock cylinder . all I need to do is swap over the one i have on my old handle

 

I haven't ever seen a door handle new that came with a key cylinder. I've bought both JDM and US door handles, no cylinder. That's a separate part number.

The handles from Japan are substantially cheaper, I'd go that route. You can get them easily from rhdjapan.com

Dale

 

I purchased new cylinders because I got tired of the little cylinder "doors" getting jammed in the tumblers. Yes, the new tumblers come with a different set of keys. No, you are not stuck with those keys, just take the new tumblers and your original keys to a locksmith and they will re-key the new tumblers to fit your old key.

 

Aahhh!! Thank you so much guys !!

 

EXACTLY what I did. The tumblers are common across new(er) Mazdas as well.

 

Also, a good locksmith and get and replace the flapper doors on the key cylinders. They have both plastic ones for the key light to shine through (which is stock) and metal ones that won't. Really the keyhole light is pretty useless and the metal flaps will last a lot longer.

Dale

 

I think the keyhole light is one of THE coolest features of the FD, personally.

 

Well interesting that I read this thread on Saturday, and the driver side key flapper door crumbled into bits on Sunday - effectively jamming the lock cylinder. New lock cylinders (FD01-76-220D for my 1995) are NLA according to Mazda, so it looks like I will be taking my cylinder to a locksmith and try to get the flapper door replaced.

 

He works in mysterious ways lol

 

I simply repaired mine using a piece I cut from the plastic top from a coffee can.
Lasted for years, and then one day disappeared. Haven't had a flapper for several years now. It doesn't matter to me, my car never sees rain or snow and is garage kept, so...really the flapper isn't needed.

 

Talking about that , you won't have it anymore if your order from RHDjapan since the keyhole light will be on the other side.