1997 MAZDA MX-5 Factory Repair Manual

AIR BAG RESTRAINT SYSTEM
1997 ACCESSORIES/SAFETY EQUIPMENT Mazda - Air Bag Restraint System
DESCRIPTION & OPERATION
The Supplemental Restraint System (SRS), when used in conjunction with seat belt, provides increased
protection for driver and front passenger in a frontal collision. The air bag restraint system consists of AIR BAG
warning light, driver-side air bag module, passenger-side air bag module, clockspring, SAS unit, and wiring
harness. See Fig. 1
. WARNING:To avoid injury from accidental air bag deployment, read and carefully
follow all WARNINGS and SERVICE PRECAUTIONS
.

1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata
AIR BAG RESTRAINT SYSTEM 1997 ACCESSORIES/SAFETY EQUIPMENT Mazda - Air Bag Restraint System

1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata
AIR BAG RESTRAINT SYSTEM 1997 ACCESSORIES/SAFETY EQUIPMENT Mazda - Air Bag Restraint System
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Fig. 1: Air Bag System Component Identification
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
Air bag deploys when ignition is on, crash sensor senses adequate deceleration, and SAS unit logic circuits
determine that the impact is sufficient to warrant deployment.
The SAS unit monitors the air bag system for failures. If a failure occurs, the SAS unit turns the AIR BAG
warning light on. If AIR BAG warning light is burned out, SAS unit will sound a buzzer to alert driver of a
system malfunction.

1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata
AIR BAG RESTRAINT SYSTEM 1997 ACCESSORIES/SAFETY EQUIPMENT Mazda - Air Bag Restraint System
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SYSTEM OPERATION CHECK
Turn ignition on. AIR BAG warning light in instrument cluster should glow for 6 seconds and then turn off. If
AIR BAG warning light does not function as described, a failure has occurred in Supplemental Restraint
System (SRS). Repair malfunctioning SRS. See DIAGNOSIS
. Also, see SERVICE PRECAUTIONS .
SERVICE PRECAUTIONS
The following precautions should be observed when working with air bag systems:
Disable air bag before servicing any air bag system/steering column component. See DISABLING &
ACTIVATING AIR BAG SYSTEM .
Because of critical system operating requirements, DO NOT service any air bag system component or
wiring harness. Corrections are made by replacement only.
DO NOT use an ohmmeter to check resistance of air bag module, as it may cause air bag deployment.
When carrying a live (undeployed) module, ensure trim cover is pointed away from your body. This
minimizes chance of injury in event of accidental air bag deployment.
When placing a live air bag module on any surface, always face trim cover upward to reduce motion of
module if it is accidentally deployed.
SAS unit must always be installed with arrow facing the front of the vehicle.
DO NOT disconnect SAS unit until unit is firmly mounted in vehicle.
Disconnecting or removing SAS unit with ignition switch in ON position can cause accidental
deployment and serious personal injury. Before disconnecting or removing SAS unit connector or
removing SAS unit, turn ignition to LOCK position.
Air bag system clockspring MUST be aligned in neutral position, since its rotation ability is limited. DO
NOT turn steering wheel or column after removal of steering gear.
A double-lock mechanism is used on clockspring connectors. DO NOT use excessive force when
disconnecting connectors, as damage to connector may occur.
ADJUSTMENTS
CLOCKSPRING CENTERING
Turn clockspring clockwise until it stops, then turn clockspring counterclockwise 2.75 turns. Align marks on
clocksprin
g with marks on outer housing. See Fig. 2.

1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata
AIR BAG RESTRAINT SYSTEM 1997 ACCESSORIES/SAFETY EQUIPMENT Mazda - Air Bag Restraint System
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Fig. 2: Locating Clockspring Alignment Marks
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
DISABLING & ACTIVATING AIR BAG SYSTEM
DISABLING SYSTEM
Disconnect and shield negative battery cable. Wait at least one minute for back-up power supply to be depleted.
Remove cover panel below left side of instrument panel. Disconnect clockspring connectors for driver-side air
bag. See Fig. 3
. Remove glove compartment. Disconnect passenger-side air bag module connectors. See Fig.
4 .
WARNING:After disabling the air bag system, wait at least one minute before
servicing. Air bag system voltage is maintained for more than minute
after system is disabled. Failure to wait at least minute may cause
accidental air bag deployment and possible personal injury.

1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata
AIR BAG RESTRAINT SYSTEM 1997 ACCESSORIES/SAFETY EQUIPMENT Mazda - Air Bag Restraint System
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Fig. 3: Locating Driver-Side Air Bag Clockspring Connectors
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.

1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata
AIR BAG RESTRAINT SYSTEM 1997 ACCESSORIES/SAFETY EQUIPMENT Mazda - Air Bag Restraint System
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Fig. 4: Locating Passenger-Side Air Bag Connectors
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
ACTIVATING SYSTEM
Ensure negative battery cable is disconnected. Connect Orange and Blue passenger-side air bag module
connectors. See Fig. 4
. Install glove compartment. Connect driver-side air bag Orange and Blue clockspring
connectors. See Fig. 3
. Install lower cover panel. Connect negative battery cable. See SYSTEM
OPERATION CHECK .
DISPOSAL PROCEDURES
DEPLOYED AIR BAG
Wrap deployed air bag module in a plastic bag and dispose of as you would any other part. Wear gloves and
safet
y glasses when handling air bag module.

1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata
AIR BAG RESTRAINT SYSTEM 1997 ACCESSORIES/SAFETY EQUIPMENT Mazda - Air Bag Restraint System
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SCRAPPED VEHICLE
INSPECTING DEPLOYMENT TOOL
1. Connect Red deployment tool clip to battery positive terminal. Connect Black deployment tool clip to
battery negative terminal. Observe deployment tool lights. Green light should be on with Red light off.
2. Connect deployment tool connector "A" to connector "B". See Fig. 5
. Green light should be off with Red
light on. Press deployment tool activation switch. Green light should be on with Red light off.
3. If deployment tool lights function as described, it is safe to use deployment tool to activate air bag. If
deployment tool lights do not function as described, DO NOT use deployment tool. Replace deployment
tool with another unit and repeat procedure.
Driver-Side Air Bag
1. Before deploying air bag, inspect operating condition of Deployment Tool (49 H066 002). See
INSPECTING DEPLOYMENT TOOL
under DISPOSAL PROCEDURES. Ensure vehicle is in an
open space and away from other vehicles and people. Open doors. Open convertible top (if equipped).
Disconnect negative battery cable.
2. Remove lower center panel. Disconnect clockspring connectors from driver-side air bag. See Fig. 3
.
3. Connect deployment tool (49 H066 002) to clockspring connector. See Fig. 5
. Connect Red deployment
tool clip to battery positive terminal. Connect Black deployment tool clip to battery negative terminal.
Verify deployment tool Red light is on.
4. Ensure all persons are at least 20 feet from vehicle. Press deployment tool activation switch to deploy air
bag. Because of heat generated from air bag deployment, wait at least 15 minutes before handling
deplo
yed air bag module. NOTE: When scrapping vehicles with an undeployed air bag(s), air bag(s) must be
deployed inside vehicle.
NOTE: Deployment tool should always be inspected for proper operation before
deploying air bag.

1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata
AIR BAG RESTRAINT SYSTEM 1997 ACCESSORIES/SAFETY EQUIPMENT Mazda - Air Bag Restraint System
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Fig. 5: Air Bag Deployment Tool Connector Identification
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
Passenger-Side Air Bag
1. Before deploying air bag, inspect operating condition of Deployment Tool (49 H066 002). See
INSPECTING DEPLOYMENT TOOL
under DISPOSAL PROCEDURES. Ensure vehicle is in an
open space and away from other vehicles and people. Open doors. Open convertible top (if equipped).
Disconnect negative battery cable.
2. Remove glove compartment. Disconnect passenger-side air bag module connectors. See Fig. 4
. Connect
deployment tool connector to passenger-side air bag connector. See Fig. 5
. Connect Red deployment tool
clip to battery positive terminal. Connect Black deployment tool clip to battery negative terminal. Verify
deployment tool Red light is on.
3. Ensure all persons are at least 20 feet from vehicle. Press deployment tool activation switch to deploy air
bag. Because of heat generated from air bag deployment, wait at least 15 minutes before handling
deployed air bag module.
POST-COLLISION INSPECTION
POST-COLLISION AIR BAG SAFETY INSPECTION
ActionComponents
Replace After DeploymentAir Bag Module(s), Air Bag Sensor Unit
Inspect & If Damaged, Replace Component (Even Clockspring, Impact Sensors & Sensor Mountings,

1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata
AIR BAG RESTRAINT SYSTEM 1997 ACCESSORIES/SAFETY EQUIPMENT Mazda - Air Bag Restraint System
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