
4. Disconnect SAS unit connector. Check wiring between terminal K of SAS unit connector and terminal C 
of passenger-side air bag module connector for short to ground, short to power or open circuit. If wiring 
is OK, replace SAS unit. See SAS UNIT
 under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION. If wiring is not OK, 
replace wiring harness between passenger-side air bag module and SAS unit. Perform SYSTEM 
OPERATION CHECK .  
WIRE REPAIR 
DO NOT repair air bag system wiring. If a problem is found with air bag system wiring, replace faulty wiring. 
TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS 
TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS 
WIRING DIAGRAM 
ApplicationFt. Lbs. (N.m)
Passenger-Side Air Bag Module Retaining Bolts13-20 (18-27)
Steering Wheel Nut29-36 (39-49)
INCH Lbs. (N.m)
Driver-Side Air Bag Module Retaining Nuts35-52 (4.0-5.8)
SAS Unit Retaining Nuts61-86 (6.7-9.8)
 
1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata 
AIR BAG RESTRAINT SYSTEM 1997 ACCESSORIES/SAFETY EQUIPMENT Mazda - Air Bag Restraint System  
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SOLENOIDS & SOLENOID VALVES 
SOLENOIDS & SOLENOID VALVES 
SWITCHES 
SWITCHES 
MISCELLANEOUS 
MISCELLANEOUS 
Vehicle Speed Sensor (VSS)On speedometer assembly.
Water Temperature Sender UnitOn center of engine. See Fig. 1 .
Washer Fluid Level SensorOn washer fluid reservoir. See Fig. 1 .
ComponentComponent Location
AT Interlock SolenoidIn steering column, near ignition switch. See Fig. 2 .
EC-AT Solenoid ValveOn left side of transmission.
EGR Solenoid Valve (Vacuum)On right side of engine compartment. See Fig. 1 .
EGR Solenoid Valve (Vent)On right side of engine compartment. See Fig. 1 .
Fourth Gear Solenoid ValveOn left side of transmission.
Idle Air Control ValveOn right side, front of engine compartment. See Fig. 1 .
PRC Solenoid ValveOn right side, front of engine. See Fig. 1 .
Purge Solenoid ValveOn right strut tower. See Fig. 1 .
ComponentComponent Location
Back-Up Lamp Switch (M/T)On right side of transmission. See Fig. 1 .
Brake SwitchOn bracket, above brake pedal. See Fig. 2 .
Buckle SwitchOn driver side seat belt buckle. See Fig. 3 .
Clutch Switch (M/T)On bracket, above clutch pedal. See Fig. 2 .
Hold SwitchUnder right side of center console.
Key Reminder SwitchIn steering column, near ignition switch.
Neutral Switch (M/T)On right side of transmission. See Fig. 1 .
Oil Pressure SwitchOn right side of engine. See Fig. 1 .
"P" Range SwitchUnder center console, on base of gear selector.
Parking Brake SwitchOn base of parking brake lever. See Fig. 4 .
Power Steering Pressure SwitchOn power steering pump assembly.
Refrigerant Pressure SwitchIn front of engine compartment, near radiator support. See Fig. 1 .
Starter Interlock Switch (M/T)On bracket, above clutch pedal. See Fig. 2 .
ThermoswitchUnder right side of dash.
Transmission Range SwitchOn left side of transmission.
ComponentComponent Location
 
1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata 
1997 MAZDA MX-5 Miata  
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Sunday, July 05, 2009 1:54:00 PMPage 3 © 2005 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC.  

Fig. 2: Removing & Installing Drive Train Components (Miata) 
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP. 
3. Remove all cooling system hoses and A/T oil cooler hoses at radiator (if equipped). Remove radiator and 
cooling fans as an assembly. Remove all drive belts. DO NOT disconnect power steering hoses or A/C 
compressor hoses. Unbolt power steering pump and A/C compressor from engine, and wire aside.  
4. Remove air cleaner assembly. See Fig. 3
 . Remove throttle cable. Note locations and disconnect all 
necessary electrical connectors, ground wires, vacuum hoses, fuel hoses, coolant hoses and control cables 
for engine removal. Plug all fuel hoses to prevent leakage. Remove engine mount nuts and remove 
en
gine.  
 
1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata 
1997-98 ENGINES 1.8L 4-Cylinder  
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Sunday, July 05, 2009 1:55:15 PMPage 4 © 2005 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC.  

Fig. 5: Removing Engine Components (Protege)
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP. 
2. Lower vehicle. Remove air cleaner assembly. Remove battery/carrier assembly. Remove throttle cable 
and air intake duct across radiator (if equipped).  
3. Remove all drive belts. DO NOT disconnect power steering hoses or A/C compressor hoses. Unbolt 
power steering pump and A/C compressor from engine, and wire aside.  
4. Note locations and disconnect all necessary electrical connectors, ground wires, vacuum hoses, fuel 
hoses, coolant hoses and control cables for engine removal.  
5. Plug all fuel hoses to avoid leakage. Attach engine support bar or engine hoist to secure engine. Raise 
vehicle. Disconnect exhaust manifold down pipe and exhaust brackets from engine. On A/T models, 
remove shift control cable.  
6. On M/T models, remove shift control linkage and extension bar. Remove clutch release cylinder and fluid 
line bracket from transaxle housing, leaving fluid line connected to cylinder. Secure cylinder away from 
transaxle.  
7. On all models, remove transmission wiring harness connectors and speedometer cable. Remove axle shaft 
nuts from hubs. Disconnect stabilizer bar from lower control arms. Separate lower ball joints and steering 
tie-rod ends from steering knuckles.  
8. Pry axle shafts out of transaxle. Remove and discard circlip from axle shafts. For further information on 
axle shafts, see appropriate article in DRIVE AXLES.  
9. Remove transaxle mount nuts from crossmember and loosen crossmember bolts. See Fig. 6
 . Lower 
vehicle and attach engine hoist for engine removal. Remove engine front mount and transaxle top mount 
from inner fender panels. Remove transaxle crossmember. Remove engine and transaxle assembly from 
top of vehicle.  
10. To install, reverse removal procedure. Tighten bolts and nuts to specifications. See TORQUE 
SPECIFICATIONS . Fill all fluids to correct level. Prime fuel system before attempting to start engine. 
See FUEL PRESSURE RELEASE & PRIMING
 . Bleed cooling system. See COOLING SYSTEM 
BLEEDING.  
 
1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata 
1997-98 ENGINES 1.8L 4-Cylinder  
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Sunday, July 05, 2009 1:55:15 PMPage 8 © 2005 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC.  

1. Drain engine coolant. Disconnect battery cable. Position No. 1 cylinder at TDC of compression stroke. 
On Protege, remove right side cover and undercover.  
2. On Miata, remove air cleaner intake duct from between throttle body and air cleaner/filter assembly. On 
all models, remove upper radiator hose and by-pass hoses from thermostat housing.  
3. Remove drive belts and water pump pulley. Remove power steering pump with hoses attached and secure 
pump away from engine (if necessary). Remove timing belt, tensioner and idler. See TIMING BELT.  
4. Unbolt water inlet pipe from water pump. Water pump inlet pipe has lower radiator hose and by-pass pipe 
attached to it. Remove bolts from water pump. To install, reverse removal procedure. Tighten bolt to 
specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS
 .  
OIL PAN 
Removal & Installation (Miata) 
1. Disconnect negative battery cable. Drain engine oil. Remove dipstick, tube and "O" ring. Raise vehicle on 
hoist. Remove engine undercover. Disconnect steering column shaft at steering rack coupling. See Fig. 
14 . Remove engine mount nuts. Lift and support engine using jack.  
2. Support crossmember using transmission jack and remove crossmember bolts. Slowly and carefully lower 
crossmember until clearance between oil pan and steering rack is about 4 inches. Remove oil pan bolts 
from engine block and transmission.  
3. DO NOT damage sealant contact surfaces. Remove oil pan by prying between oil pan and transmission 
support. Remove oil pan baffle by prying it from engine. See Fig. 14
 . DO NOT deform oil pan baffle. 
Replace oil pan baffle if deformed. Clean sealant from oil pan, bolts, engine block and both sides of oil 
pan baffle.  
4. To install, apply oil resistant sealant to engine block and oil pan. Install oil pan baffle and oil pan within 5 
minutes of applying sealant. To complete installation, reverse removal procedure. Tighten bolts to 
specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS
 . Fill engine with oil to specification. See ENGINE 
LUBRICATION SYSTEM under ENGINE OILING.  NOTE: For further information on cooling systems, see SPECIFICATIONS & ELECTRIC 
COOLING FANS article in ENGINE COOLING.
NOTE: On Miata, engine must be supported in order to remove oil pan.
 
1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata 
1997-98 ENGINES 1.8L 4-Cylinder  
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ENGINE SPECIFICATIONS 
GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS 
Manifold Nut23-34 (31-46)
Exhaust Manifold Nut(1) 28-34 (38-46)
Flywheel Bolt71-76 (96-103)
Fuel Rail Bolt14-19 (19-26)
Generator Top Bolt27-38 (37-51)
Intake Manifold Bolt/Nut(1) 14-19 (19-26)
Intake Manifold Support Bracket14-18 (19-25)
Main Bearing Cap Bolt
Step 1(1) 22-27 (30-37)
Step 2 (Final)(1) 40-43 (54-58)
Oil Pan-To-Transaxle Bolt (Protege)28-38 (38-51)
Oil Pan-To-Transmission Bolt (Miata)48-65 (64-88)
Oil Pump-To-Block Bolt14-19 (19-26)
Power Steering Pump-To-Bracket Bolt28-38 (38-51)
PPF/Differential Spacer Mounting Bolt (2) 27-38 (37-51)
PPF-To-Differential Long Mounting Bolt (2) 77-91 (104-123)
PPF-To-Transmission Side Mounting Bolt (2) 77-91 (104-123)
PPF/Transmission Rear Bracket Mounting Bolt27-40 (37-54)
Spark Plug11-16 (15-22)
Timing Belt Tensioner Bolt27-38 (37-51)
Water Pump Bolt14-19 (19-26)
INCH Lbs. (N.m)
Camshaft Bearing Cap Bolt(3) 100-125 (11.3-14.1)
Cylinder Head Cover Bolt43-78 (5-9)
Oil Jet104-156 (12-18)
Oil Pan-To-Engine Block Bolt
(Miata & Protege)70-95 (8-11)
Oil Pump Cover Screws53-78 (6-9)
Oil Strainer Bolt70-95 (8-11)
Rear Cover Bolt70-95 (8-11)
Water Pump Pulley Bolt70-95 (8-11)
(1)Tighten evenly to specification in alternating sequence.
(2)Tighten in sequence. See Fig. 7 .
(3)Tighten in sequence. See Fig. 10 or Fig. 11 .
 
1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata 
1997-98 ENGINES 1.8L 4-Cylinder  
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Sunday, July 05, 2009 1:55:15 PMPage 36 © 2005 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC.  

1994-98 ENGINE COOLING
Specifications & Drive Belt Routing - B2300, B2500, B3000, B4000, Millenia, MPV, MX-5 Miata & 
Protege 
APPLICATION 
Information presented in this article applies to the following years and models. See YEAR & MODEL 
APPLICATION . 
YEAR & MODEL APPLICATION 
ADJUSTMENTS 
B4000 & MILLENIA (2.3L) 
YearsModel
1997B2300
1997B4000
1998B2500, B3000 & B4000
1997-98Millenia
1997-98MPV
1994-97MX-5 Miata
1995-98Protege
NOTE: If a new belt is used, adjust belt deflection at midpoint of new belt specification.
NOTE: "B" Series Pickup and Millenia 2.3L are equipped with serpentine belts that are 
automatically adjusted by tensioner. Millenia is equipped with 2 serpentine belts 
(alternator and power steering pump). Replace belts if tensioner indicates belt 
is out of adjustment range. See Fig. 1
 - Fig. 3 . DO NOT apply belt dressing to 
serpentine belt.
 
1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata 
1994-98 ENGINE COOLING Specifications & Drive Belt Routing - B2300, B2500, B3000, B4000, Millenia, MPV, MX-5 
Miata & Protege
  
 
1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata 
1994-98 ENGINE COOLING Specifications & Drive Belt Routing - B2300, B2500, B3000, B4000, Millenia, MPV, MX-5 
Miata & Protege
  
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Sunday, July 05, 2009 1:57:37 PMPage 1 © 2005 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC.  

Fig. 3: Checking Power Steering Pump Serpentine Belt Tension (Millenia, 2.3L) 
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP. 
MILLENIA 
Alternator (2.5L) 
Loosen idler pulley locknut and adjust belt deflection by turning adjusting bolt. See Fig. 4 and Fig. 19 . See 
ADJUSTMENT SPECIFICATIONS
 . Tighten bolts to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS.
NOTE: If a new belt is used, adjust belt deflection at midpoint of new belt specification.
 
1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata 
1994-98 ENGINE COOLING Specifications & Drive Belt Routing - B2300, B2500, B3000, B4000, Millenia, MPV, MX-5 
Miata & Protege
  
Microsoft  
Sunday, July 05, 2009 1:57:32 PMPage 4 © 2005 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC.