10 hours of work - not sure if it was worth it
#1
02-22-2007 | 08:21 AM
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 741
Likes: 1
From: SF Bay Area - Peninsula
10 hours of work - Pic and Video added
After 10 hours of working on the Mazda Flip Key mod, I finished it!
I don't often post up here the DIY stuff I do since they're pretty insignificant, but this was a big accomplishment for me.
I don't often talk to myself (unless I'm drunk), but the instant I got one of the tiny a$$ 30 gauge wires connected and triggered - I actually yelled out "YES!". Of course it was 3am and no one was around. The self praise came again once I got the buttons soldered and wired. Getting it all to fit in the case was a pain...but it eventually did.
To be honest, I spent a lot of time staring at the Accordfreak's awesome write up and wiring diagram, but I really think I spent 10 hours of hands-on time. And although it was frustrating at times, it was fun learning how to use the Dremel and Soldering Iron - neither of which I've ever used.
I figure if I had to do it again, I could probably do one in half the time - but I'm still debuggin the antenna issue. It is spotty - sometimes I can get 30 feet out of it, other times its like 5 feet.
In the end, its a mod that hardly anyone will see - but it's darn cool and
I can revel in the fact that I DIY'd it and that I'm one of few of us here that have done it.
I just need to install the KP Beep and Autolock modules now - I spent about 3 hours mapping, wiring and soldering them together to minimize the in-car time.
EDIT:
Finally, here are pics:
In my hand...
Sweet design...
All the parts disassembled...I burned through the case with the Dremel (!), so it's not water resistant anymore
I may use the other fob and redo it, or just patch it somehow. It's internal so you can't see it, but that is where the key portion connects too.
Dang this is small! Notice the wire - it's the antenna (the loop is necessary to reconnect the ends that were cut on top).
Here it is in the car...in the "ON" position:
Here's a shot from the Driver's perspective...it clears everything no problem:
And here's a video! I disabled my horn (need to add the KP beep Friday night), but the flashes are when I arm it/lock the doors. If you listen closely, you'll hear the doors unlock when I push the bottom button...slick and quick switchblade key. I havne't mounted the Infiniti emblem on the back yet so you'll see the screw there. Since the Mazda emblem is so much larger, I want to find how to fill the space around the tiny Infiniti emblem.
I didn't take photo of the key I had to dremel, nor the relocation of the microchip for the immobilizer (placed in the key portion of the fob).
I don't often post up here the DIY stuff I do since they're pretty insignificant, but this was a big accomplishment for me.I don't often talk to myself (unless I'm drunk), but the instant I got one of the tiny a$$ 30 gauge wires connected and triggered - I actually yelled out "YES!". Of course it was 3am and no one was around. The self praise came again once I got the buttons soldered and wired. Getting it all to fit in the case was a pain...but it eventually did.
To be honest, I spent a lot of time staring at the Accordfreak's awesome write up and wiring diagram, but I really think I spent 10 hours of hands-on time. And although it was frustrating at times, it was fun learning how to use the Dremel and Soldering Iron - neither of which I've ever used.
I figure if I had to do it again, I could probably do one in half the time - but I'm still debuggin the antenna issue. It is spotty - sometimes I can get 30 feet out of it, other times its like 5 feet.
In the end, its a mod that hardly anyone will see - but it's darn cool and
I can revel in the fact that I DIY'd it and that I'm one of few of us here that have done it. I just need to install the KP Beep and Autolock modules now - I spent about 3 hours mapping, wiring and soldering them together to minimize the in-car time.EDIT:
Finally, here are pics:
In my hand...
Sweet design...
All the parts disassembled...I burned through the case with the Dremel (!), so it's not water resistant anymore
I may use the other fob and redo it, or just patch it somehow. It's internal so you can't see it, but that is where the key portion connects too.Dang this is small! Notice the wire - it's the antenna (the loop is necessary to reconnect the ends that were cut on top).
Here it is in the car...in the "ON" position:
Here's a shot from the Driver's perspective...it clears everything no problem:
And here's a video! I disabled my horn (need to add the KP beep Friday night), but the flashes are when I arm it/lock the doors. If you listen closely, you'll hear the doors unlock when I push the bottom button...slick and quick switchblade key. I havne't mounted the Infiniti emblem on the back yet so you'll see the screw there. Since the Mazda emblem is so much larger, I want to find how to fill the space around the tiny Infiniti emblem.
I didn't take photo of the key I had to dremel, nor the relocation of the microchip for the immobilizer (placed in the key portion of the fob).
Last edited by RocketG35; 02-23-2007 at 04:35 AM.
#4
02-22-2007 | 10:56 AM
Originally Posted by RocketG35
After 10 hours of working on the Mazda Flip Key mod, I finished it! I don't often post up here the DIY stuff I do since they're pretty insignificant, but this was a big accomplishment for me.
I don't often talk to myself (unless I'm drunk), but the instant I got one of the tiny a$$ 30 gauge wires connected and triggered - I actually yelled out "YES!". Of course it was 3am and no one was around. The self praise came again once I got the buttons soldered and wired. Getting it all to fit in the case was a pain...but it eventually did.
To be honest, I spent a lot of time staring at the Accordfreak's awesome write up and wiring diagram, but I really think I spent 10 hours of hands-on time. And although it was frustrating at times, it was fun learning how to use the Dremel and Soldering Iron - neither of which I've ever used.
I figure if I had to do it again, I could probably do one in half the time - but I'm still debuggin the antenna issue. It is spotty - sometimes I can get 30 feet out of it, other times its like 5 feet.
In the end, its a mod that hardly anyone will see - but it's darn cool and I can revel in the fact that I DIY'd it and that I'm one of few of us here that have done it. I just need to install the KP Beep and Autolock modules now - I spent about 3 hours mapping, wiring and soldering them together to minimize the in-car time.
I don't often post up here the DIY stuff I do since they're pretty insignificant, but this was a big accomplishment for me.I don't often talk to myself (unless I'm drunk), but the instant I got one of the tiny a$$ 30 gauge wires connected and triggered - I actually yelled out "YES!". Of course it was 3am and no one was around. The self praise came again once I got the buttons soldered and wired. Getting it all to fit in the case was a pain...but it eventually did.
To be honest, I spent a lot of time staring at the Accordfreak's awesome write up and wiring diagram, but I really think I spent 10 hours of hands-on time. And although it was frustrating at times, it was fun learning how to use the Dremel and Soldering Iron - neither of which I've ever used.
I figure if I had to do it again, I could probably do one in half the time - but I'm still debuggin the antenna issue. It is spotty - sometimes I can get 30 feet out of it, other times its like 5 feet.
In the end, its a mod that hardly anyone will see - but it's darn cool and
I can revel in the fact that I DIY'd it and that I'm one of few of us here that have done it. I just need to install the KP Beep and Autolock modules now - I spent about 3 hours mapping, wiring and soldering them together to minimize the in-car time.
#6
02-22-2007 | 12:40 PM
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 741
Likes: 1
From: SF Bay Area - Peninsula
I have some pics, but there really isn't much to see considering it's just a key fob 
But since you guys want pics...I'll post some late tonight. The inside/circuit board is the most interesting because of all the wires.
The range kills me though. I found that it really is directional and although the OEM one is as well, the case doesn't allow the antenna to be routed at the top...there's just no room. So if I'm far from the car, I need to turn it sideways since I ran the wire along the side. I also noticed that there's a "blind spot" near the driver's side front quarter panel. For some reason, I can't trigger the alarm if I aim it there slightly above the fender line to the ground. If I aim it higher...it works. Very strange. I'll figure it out one day...
Just having it is cool though...LOL. When its inserted into the key slot, it sticks out quite a bit, but that's the design of it (same as my wife's Touareg key and other Audi/VW). It's never in the way and overall the quality is really nice - 10x better than our OEM one.
You 05/06 guys...nothing to worry about since you have Intelligent Key!
But since you guys want pics...I'll post some late tonight. The inside/circuit board is the most interesting because of all the wires.The range kills me though. I found that it really is directional and although the OEM one is as well, the case doesn't allow the antenna to be routed at the top...there's just no room. So if I'm far from the car, I need to turn it sideways since I ran the wire along the side. I also noticed that there's a "blind spot" near the driver's side front quarter panel. For some reason, I can't trigger the alarm if I aim it there slightly above the fender line to the ground. If I aim it higher...it works. Very strange. I'll figure it out one day...
Just having it is cool though...LOL. When its inserted into the key slot, it sticks out quite a bit, but that's the design of it (same as my wife's Touareg key and other Audi/VW). It's never in the way and overall the quality is really nice - 10x better than our OEM one.
You 05/06 guys...nothing to worry about since you have Intelligent Key!
#7
02-22-2007 | 12:46 PM
Trending Topics
#8
02-22-2007 | 01:01 PM
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 741
Likes: 1
From: SF Bay Area - Peninsula
^Albert you bastard...and to think I was going to make you one for free with the extra Key Fob I have....oh well. Your loss![/quote]
Tim, if you're adept at dremeling and soldering...you can probably do this in 6 hours or less (Accordfreak said he did it in about 6 I believe). As mentioned, it would probably take me half the time now...so if you have a spare hour here and there...I'd do it. You definitely seem skilled in modding.
Boris - absolutely agree...I was stoked when I even got those first wires connected. It kept calling me to finish!
Originally Posted by ttrank
thought about doing that but was not sure it would be worth it either.
Originally Posted by vodkarocket
It feels great to look back at the completed mod knowing that it was done with your own efforts. Now as others have requested, post some pics of the final product!
