Why is the car key flashing on the Mazda 6 dashboard?

[StFaith]

Anti-theft system activated. The flashing key icon on the dashboard is the anti-theft system indicator. When this light is on, the car cannot be started. Repeated attempts to ignite may lock the engine, also known as engine immobilization. Components of the car dashboard: 1. Indicator and warning lights: Timing belt indicator, exhaust temperature warning light, brake warning light, ABS warning light, etc. 2. Oil pressure gauge: The sensor of the oil pressure gauge is a piezoresistive sensor. It is fixed to the engine oil pipeline with threads. The oil pressure pushes the contact piece to move on the resistor, changing the resistance value, which affects the current flowing through the gauge to the ground, thus turning the pointer. 3. Water temperature gauge: The sensor of the water temperature gauge is a thermistor sensor. It is fixed to the engine cooling pipeline with threads. The thermistor determines the current flowing through the coil winding of the water temperature gauge, thereby driving the pointer to swing.

[VonGarrett]

I dealt with a similar situation just last week. When the Mazda6 key light flashes, it's usually the key system signaling an issue. Try holding the key close to the start button and then pressing to ignite – this trick solves about 80% of such problems. Most likely, the key battery is running low; simply replace it with a CR2025 coin cell battery, available at any convenience store. If the light keeps flashing, check for signal interference – things like phone chargers in the car or metal keychains can easily block the signal. Once, I encountered this issue in a hospital parking lot and later found out it was caused by a nearby signal jammer. As a last resort, use the spare mechanical key to open the door and hold down the start button for emergency ignition, but don't delay too long as it might trigger the anti-theft lock.

[BraydenMarie]

My old Mazda6 had the same issue last year, the key light on the dashboard was flashing like a disco ball. First check if the key is damp or swollen - moisture can make it act up. Testing with a spare key is the most reliable method; if the spare works fine, you can confirm it's the original key's problem. Shortened remote distance is also a sign of low battery. Don't rush to disassemble the key case - Mazda keys have anti-tamper mechanisms, and damaging it could cost over a thousand to replace. Pay special attention to whether the key sensing area under the armrest is blocked by coins - my shopping card once covered the sensor causing malfunction. Always remember to shift to P gear before turning off the engine, otherwise it will definitely trigger an alarm next startup.

[VonCarson]

Just finished repairing three Mazda6s with the same issue. The key blinking has three states: blinking before starting indicates the key is not authenticated, blinking after starting indicates an anti-theft system abnormality. The most common cause is low key battery. If the multimeter shows voltage below 2.8V, it's time to replace it. When the remote fails, try pressing the key against the start button for forced ignition. If it starts, it proves a signal issue. For newer models, pay attention to the waterproof performance of smart keys - car wash workers spraying keys carelessly can cause internal circuit short circuits. Spare keys that sit unused for long periods also lose charge; it's recommended to replace their batteries annually. Parking location matters greatly - near substations, eight out of ten cars experience signal interference.