just inside the lock, there is a clear plastic flap which springs open when you put the key in. well, mine just broke in half! i can see that the spring to push it shut has weakened and snapped it.

the problem is, how important is it to keep rubbish out of the lock and how difficult would it be to take apart and fix?

any help much appreciated on this one

cheers

This is exactly what has happened with mine, luckily I've got the ZXi so I use the remote thingy, but eventually I reckon I'll have to pull it all apart to clear out the crap inside it.
I hope that with the opening "open" not to much rubbish will get in to it, but in the long term, who knows? This has been the case since March.........

It is possible to take it apart, but be careful of flying springs...

Another thread on this forum might help:
[url]http://www.maz323f.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php4?t=307[/url]

thanks for that, seems like a common problem! i'll have a look at the weekend and if that doesn't work ask mazda for some help.
cheers