Hey,
I just bought a very nice 93 but it looks like the stock alarm system isn't working. I've been searching a bit on the web for info, but no joy yet. Anyone have any insight into how I might get this working again.
When I lock the car, the security system light doesn't come on. I locked the car with the window down, then reached in and opened the door. Alarm didnt' sound.
Thanks for any assistance you can give.

 

get an aftermarket alarm installed, or check the brain of the stock alarm and see if it works, if it does, start tracing the wires and check connections and/or fuses. It sounds like it may have been cut or disabled somehow. P-town. very nice. I used to live in Oregon, Corvallis to be exact, I used to stomp around up there. Goodluck

 

My 93 FD had no light activation when driver's door was locked. I took the car to 2 rotary shops which were unable to find the problem. Success was found at a Mazda dealer (Congressional Mazda) were the center console alarm light module was replaced and the alarm and light now work. The part was about $70. I am interested in keeping my car as close to stock as practical. The alarm system now works, even the cruise control.

 

does the stock alarm disable ignition when the door is opened from the inside or something?

 

Yea what does the stock alarm do? When I just lock my door the security light comes on my center console.

 

for my stock QX4 alarm it just honks and flashes teh signals when you lock all the doors wait about a minite then you unlock and open the door from the inside.

 

There's a quirk about the alarm system. You guys may be just not arming it correctly. The alarm won't arm if you open any door, window, hatch or hood before you turn off the engine and take the key out of the ignition. Next time you run the car keep everything closed up. Turn off the key, then open the door, the hatch, or whatever. Then when you get out of the car, close everything up, put the key in the door lock and turn it. Wait a few seconds and you should hear a faint beep and you'll see the alarm light on the center console flashing.
Weird, I know....but instead of redesigning the circuitry, Mazda just put a notice to the effect of what I've just outlined above as an addendum to the owner's manual.

 

I was wondering about sonix7's initial entry when he told me to look at the "brain of the stock alarm". Where exactly is that located? I check through some of the repair manual, but didn't find anything about the theft system.
Thanks

 

It routed through a 20 pin white connector located behind the drivers side kick panel. That might give you a place to start looking. If that is unplugged the alarm is disconnected/disabled.

 

upgrade

 

The brain of the stock alarm is located in the driver kick panel. It is called CPU #2 in the FSM and commonly referred to as the 'flasher unit' (it also contains the turn signal and warning flasher circuitry - and a bunch of other control circuitry for key illumination, key-in-lock warning beep, seat belt warning beep, etc.)

I replaced mine when my stock alarm was acting up and it fixed my problems (I didn't even know that an FD had key illumination before I fixed it).

However, I would first go through the tests in the "1993 Body Electrical Troubleshooting Manual" (the FMS has very poor coverage on this; the troubleshooting manual is $80 or so though, but worth it), which will tell you if it is the CPU or something connected to it. The CPU itself is about $300 new but you might be able to find it used for a lot less (I did, but it took a while).

 

Thanks everyone for the feedback. The answer for me turned out to be JConn2299's post about sequence. Once I made sure all was down, or up or off before shutting the car down, it armed as it should.