99 mazda 626 security key blinking no start!

I have a 99 626 that won't start. I am using the same key that has always worked in the past but the little security key light flashes 3 times with a pause and repeats the 3 flashes again and again. While watching it flash I had noticed every once and a while it would have 2 short flashes and one long. Most of the time it would flash 3 long flashes as explained at beginning.
I was told by the dealer that the theft alarm must have locked in. How do I clear it. I checked for other fault codes and none showed up.
I tried unhooking the battery for a couple of minutes but that didn't help either.
I even tried to get it to go into the program mode by turning the key on and off 5 times to check for the light to start flashing quickly but it just went back to 3 flashes, pause, 3 flashes, pause and etc..
Anybody got any ideas??????????????
Thanks for any help!
ivebeenthere

I vaguely recall that after removing the battery cable you should also depress the brake pedal. I don't know what this does (unless there are some capacitors somewhere that need clearing). Might be worth a try.

I vaguely recall that after removing the battery cable you should also depress the brake pedal. I don't know what this does (unless there are some capacitors somewhere that need clearing). Might be worth a try.


I just finished. The antenna ring around the ignition was bad. It wasn't getting the signal. I replaced it and vvrrroooom. It started!
Thanks for your help!
Johnny