1997 MAZDA MX-5 Factory Repair Manual

REMOVAL & INSTALLATION
DRIVER-SIDE AIR BAG MODULE
Removal
Before proceeding, see SERVICE PRECAUTIONS . Disable air bag system. See DISABLING &
ACTIVATING AIR BAG SYSTEM . Remove driver-side air bag module nuts. Disconnect driver-side air bag
module connector. Disconnect support rope. See Fig. 6
. Remove driver-side air bag module.
If Air Bag Did Not Deploy)Steering Column, Steering Wheel, Wiring Harness
CommentsDO NOT attempt wiring harness repairs. Replace
entire harness. Impact sensors must always be
installed with arrow on sensor facing front o
f
vehicle.
WARNING:Follow air bag service precautions to prevent accidental air bag
deployment and personal injury. See SERVICE PRECAUTIONS
.
WARNING:DO NOT install driver-side air bag module unless DTC 6 is set. This can
cause accidental deployment of the air bag. Verify DTC 6 is indicated
before installing driver-side air bag module.
NOTE: After replacing components, check system to ensure proper operation. See
SERVICE PRECAUTIONS
.

1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata
AIR BAG RESTRAINT SYSTEM 1997 ACCESSORIES/SAFETY EQUIPMENT Mazda - Air Bag Restraint System
Microsoft
Sunday, July 05, 2009 1:40:47 PMPage 9 © 2005 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC.

Fig. 6: Removing Driver-Side Air Bag Module
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
Installation
1. Connect negative battery cable. Turn ignition switch on. Verify that Air Bag warning light comes on for 6
seconds and then goes off. Verify that DTC 6 is set. If another diagnostic trouble code is set, perform
appropriate diagnosis and testing. See DIAGNOSIS
.
2. If DTC 6 is set, turn ignition switch to LOCK position. Disconnect negative battery cable and wait for
one minute. Connect driver-side air bag connector. Install support rope and driver-side air bag module.
Tighten air bag module retaining nuts to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS
.
3. Activate air bag system. See DISABLING & ACTIVATING AIR BAG SYSTEM
. Check AIR BAG
warning light to ensure system is functioning properly. See SYSTEM OPERATION CHECK
.
PASSENGER-SIDE AIR BAG MODULE
WARNING:DO NOT install passenger-side air bag module unless DTC 7 is set. This
can cause accidental deployment of the air bag. Verify DTC 7 is indicated
before installing passenger-side air bag module.

1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata
AIR BAG RESTRAINT SYSTEM 1997 ACCESSORIES/SAFETY EQUIPMENT Mazda - Air Bag Restraint System
Microsoft
Sunday, July 05, 2009 1:40:47 PMPage 10 © 2005 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC.

Removal
Before proceeding, see SERVICE PRECAUTIONS . Disable air bag system. See DISABLING &
ACTIVATING AIR BAG SYSTEM . Remove passenger-side air bag module retaining bolts. See Fig. 7 .
Remove passenger-side air bag module.
Fig. 7: Removing Passenger
-Side Air Bag Module
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.

1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata
AIR BAG RESTRAINT SYSTEM 1997 ACCESSORIES/SAFETY EQUIPMENT Mazda - Air Bag Restraint System
Microsoft
Sunday, July 05, 2009 1:40:47 PMPage 11 © 2005 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC.

Fig. 8: Connecting SST (490839285) To Clockspring Connector
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
Installation
1. Connect leads of SST (490839285) to terminals B and C of clockspring connector. Set resistance of SST
(490839285) to 2 ohms. Connect negative battery cable. Turn ignition switch on. Verify that air bag
warning light comes on for 6 seconds and then goes Off. See Fig. 8
.
2. Verify that DTC 7 is set. Turn ignition switch to LOCK position. Disconnect negative battery cable and
wait for one minute. Install passenger-side air bag module and retaining bolts. Activate air bag system.
See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS
.
3. Activate air bag system. See DISABLING & ACTIVATING AIR BAG SYSTEM
. Check AIR BAG
warning light to ensure system is functioning properly. See SYSTEM OPERATION CHECK
.
SAS UNIT
Removal
1. Before proceeding, see SERVICE PRECAUTIONS . Disable air bag system. See DISABLING &
ACTIVATING AIR BAG SYSTEM.

1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata
AIR BAG RESTRAINT SYSTEM 1997 ACCESSORIES/SAFETY EQUIPMENT Mazda - Air Bag Restraint System
Microsoft
Sunday, July 05, 2009 1:40:47 PMPage 12 © 2005 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC.

2. Drain cooling system. Remove dashboard. Remove heater unit. SAS unit connectors. Remove 4 SAS unit
mounting bracket nuts. Remove 2 SAS unit retaining screws. Remove SAS unit. See Fig. 9
.
Installation
To install, reverse removal procedure. Position SAS unit and bracket with arrow toward front of vehicle.
Tighten fasteners to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS
. After SAS unit is installed, activate air
bag system. See DISABLING & ACTIVATING AIR BAG SYSTEM
. Check AIR BAG warning light to
ensure system is functioning properly. See SYSTEM OPERATION CHECK
.
CLOCKSPRING
Removal
1. Set front wheels in straight-ahead position. Before proceeding, see SERVICE PRECAUTIONS .
Disable air bag system. See DISABLING & ACTIVATING AIR BAG SYSTEM
.
2. Remove driver-side air bag module. See DRIVER
-SIDE AIR BAG MODULE . Remove steering wheel
nut. Using a puller, remove steering wheel. Remove steering column covers. Remove clockspring screws.
Remove clockspring and combination switch as an assembly.
Installation
1. To install, reverse removal procedure. Tighten steering wheel nut to specification. See TORQUE
SPECIFICATIONS .
2. After installation, activate air bag system. See DISABLING & ACTIVATING AIR BAG SYSTEM
.
Check AIR BAG warning light to ensure system is functioning properly. See SYSTEM OPERATION
CHECK .
SAS UNIT
Removal
1. Before proceeding, see SERVICE PRECAUTIONS . Disable air bag system. See DISABLING &
ACTIVATING AIR BAG SYSTEM .
2. SAS unit is located under center of dashboard. See Fig. 1
. Remove dashboard. Remove heater assembly.
Disconnect SAS unit connectors. Remove 4 SAS unit mounting bracket nuts. Remove 2 SAS unit
retainin
g screws. Remove SAS unit. See Fig. 9. NOTE: Clockspring is part of combination switch. When replacing clockspring, replace
the clockspring and combination switch as an assembly.

1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata
AIR BAG RESTRAINT SYSTEM 1997 ACCESSORIES/SAFETY EQUIPMENT Mazda - Air Bag Restraint System
Microsoft
Sunday, July 05, 2009 1:40:47 PMPage 13 © 2005 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC.

Fig. 9: Removing/Installing SAS Unit
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
Installation
To install, reverse removal procedure. Position SAS unit and bracket with arrow toward front of vehicle.
Tighten fasteners to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS
. After SAS unit is installed, activate air
bag system. See DISABLING & ACTIVATING AIR BAG SYSTEM
. Check AIR BAG warning light to
ensure system is functioning properly. See SYSTEM OPERATION CHECK
.
AIR BAG SYSTEM DEPLOYMENT AUTHORIZATION NOTE
New SAS units are not input with a deployment approval signal to prevent accidental deployment during
installation and will not operate properly until the signal is input.
1. Install new SAS unit and verify air bag warning light continuously flashes approximately 6 seconds after
ignition is turned on. Turn ignition to LOCK position and then back to ON position while warning light is
flashing.
2. Air bag warning light should illuminate and then go out after approximately 6 seconds. If warning light
does not go out, repeat procedure.

1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata
AIR BAG RESTRAINT SYSTEM 1997 ACCESSORIES/SAFETY EQUIPMENT Mazda - Air Bag Restraint System
Microsoft
Sunday, July 05, 2009 1:40:47 PMPage 14 © 2005 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC.

DIAGNOSIS
SELF-DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM
SAS unit will only display one code at a time. SAS unit will always display highest priority code first. After
repairing system, perform SYSTEM OPERATION CHECK
. If AIR BAG warning light is still flashing
during SYSTEM OPERATION CHECK, record code displayed. Repair system as necessary.
Retrieving & Clearing Codes
If codes are stored, AIR BAG warning light will flash or remain on when ignition is turned on. Codes are
automatically cleared when fault is corrected.
AIR BAG Warning Light Flashes
AIR BAG warning light indicates fault codes by flashing. Count the number of flashes between pauses to
determine code. See AIR BAG CODES
table. Codes are prioritized. If 2 or more faults are present, SAS unit
will display highest priority code first. After identifying code, go to appropriate code test.
AIR BAG Warning Light Remains On
Illumination of AIR BAG warning light continuously when ignition is turned on indicates a Code 0 (zero). See
AIR BAG CODES
table.
AIR BAG Warning Light Does Not Come On
Check for blown fuses, burned-out bulb, disconnected SAS unit, or open circuit between warning light and SAS
unit.
AIR BAG CODES
WARNING LIGHT DOES NOT COME ON WARNING:Follow air bag service precautions to prevent accidental air bag
deployment and personal injury. See SERVICE PRECAUTIONS
.
NOTE: If AIR BAG warning light does not come on and buzzer sounds when ignition is
turned on, check and repair warning light circuit first.
CodePossible Cause
0 (1) SAS unit
3Power Source Circuit
6Driver-Side Air Bag Module Circuit
7Passenger-Side Air Bag Module Circuit
(1)AIR BAG warning light remains on, indicating a Code 0.

1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata
AIR BAG RESTRAINT SYSTEM 1997 ACCESSORIES/SAFETY EQUIPMENT Mazda - Air Bag Restraint System
Microsoft
Sunday, July 05, 2009 1:40:47 PMPage 15 © 2005 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC.

1. Disable air bag system. See DISABLING & ACTIVATING AIR BAG SYSTEM . Remove meter
hood. Ensure instrument cluster 12 pin connector is securely connected and that terminal No. 1 E is not
damaged. Check continuity between terminal No. 1E of 12 pin cluster connector and terminal No. 2K of
print plate of instrument cluster. If there is continuity, go to next step. If there is no continuity, replace
print plate and then go to next step.
2. Disable air bag system. See DISABLING & ACTIVATING AIR BAG SYSTEM
. Check if terminal
No. Q of 21 pin SAS unit connector is securely connected and is not damaged. If ok, go to next step. If
terminal Q is not securely connected or is damaged, replace air bag harness, then go to next step.
3. Disconnect 21 pin SAS unit connector and 12 pin instrument cluster connector. Check continuity between
terminal No. Q of SAS unit connector and terminal No. 1 E of instrument cluster connector. If there is
continuity, replace SAS unit and then go to next step. See SAS UNIT
under REMOVAL &
INSTALLATION. If there is no continuity, go to next step.
4. Activate air bag system. See DISABLING & ACTIVATING AIR BAG SYSTEM
. Check AIR BAG
warning light for proper system function. See SYSTEM OPERATION CHECK
.
WARNING LIGHT DOES NOT COME ON
Disable air bag system. See DISABLING & ACTIVATING AIR BAG SYSTEM
. Remove meter hood.
Ensure instrument cluster 12 pin connector is securely connected and that terminal No. 1 E is not damaged.
Check continuity between terminal No. 1E of 12 pin cluster connector and terminal No. 2K of print plate of
instrument cluster. If there is continuity, go to next step. If there is no continuity, replace print plate and then go
to next step.
WARNING LIGHT REMAINS ON
1. Measure battery voltage. If voltage is more than 9 volts, go to next step. If voltage is not more than 9
volts, check charging system.
2. Disable air bag system. See DISABLING & ACTIVATING AIR BAG SYSTEM
. Remove dashboard.
Remove heater unit. Check if SAS unit connector is securely connected. Check short bar between SAS
unit terminal No. Q and terminal No. S. If short bar is bent, replace wiring harness and then go to next
step. If short bar is OK, go to next step.
3. Check short bar hook on SAS unit. If hook is OK, go to next step. If hook is damaged, replace SAS unit.
See SAS UNIT
under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION.
4. Disconnect SAS unit 21 pin connector and instrument panel 12 pin connector. Carefully insert an
insulation material between terminal No. Q and terminal No. S of SAS unit so short bar cannot move. NOTE: For connector terminal identification, see WIRING DIAGRAM
.
NOTE: For connector terminal identification, see WIRING DIAGRAM
.
NOTE: For connector terminal identification, see WIRING DIAGRAM
.
NOTE: Use care not to damage short bar when inserting insulation material.

1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata
AIR BAG RESTRAINT SYSTEM 1997 ACCESSORIES/SAFETY EQUIPMENT Mazda - Air Bag Restraint System
Microsoft
Sunday, July 05, 2009 1:40:48 PMPage 16 © 2005 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC.