1997 MAZDA MX-5 Engine control

Installation
To install, reverse removal procedure. Fully tighten all bolts with vehicle resting on ground and suspension
unloaded. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS
. Check front wheel alignment. See SPECIFICATIONS &
PROCEDURES article in WHEEL ALIGNMENT.
STABILIZER BAR
Removal & Installation
Raise and support vehicle. Remove engine splash shield. Remove frame brackets and bushings. Remove
stabilizer control links. Align bushing with installation mark on stabilizer. Reverse removable procedure for
installation. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS
.
FRONT STRUT BAR (1999)
Removal & Installation
1. To remove strut bar located in engine compartment mounted on top of shock towers, loosen lock nuts on
joint bolt and loosen joint bolt. Remove nut, washer and bolt retaining strut bar to strut plate. Remove
strut bar from vehicle.
2. To install, reverse removal procedure. Rotate joint bolt counterclockwise to 3.5-5.2 INCH lbs. (.4-.6 N.m)
to set tension. Tighten lock nuts to 87-121 INCH lbs. (10-14 N.m). Tighten strut bar-to-strut plate nut.
See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS
.
TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS
TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS
ApplicationFt. Lbs. (N.m)
Axle Lock Nut123-159 (167-215)
Brake Caliper Bracket Bolts37-50 (50-68)
Lower Ball Joint-To-Knuckle Nut42-57 (57-77)
Lower Ball Joint-To-Lower Control
199754-69 (73-94)
1999 & 2000
Bolt & Nut69-86 (94-117)
Bolt54-69 (73-94)
Lower Control Arm-To-Frame
1997
Front Adjusting Bolt Lock Nut69-83 (94-112)
Rear Adjusting Bolt Lock Nut62-75 (84-102)
1999 & 200069-83 (94-112)
Shock Assembly-To-Lower Control Arm Bolt/Nut
199754-68 (73-93)

1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata
1997-2000 SUSPENSION Front - Miata
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ELECTRICAL COMPONENT LOCATIONS
OPERATION
All air control doors are controlled manually by cable from control panel. Blower resistor determines blower
speed. With blower switch in high position, blower motor is grounded directly through blower switch. With
blower switch in all other positions, blower motor is grounded through blower resistor and blower switch.
A/C compressor clutch circuit is completed when A/C relay is energized and pressure switch is closed. A/C
relay is energized when Powertrain Control Module (PCM) grounds the solenoid circuit of the relay. The PCM
energizes A/C relay if evaporator thermoswitch is closed and A/C and blower switches are on. The PCM also
controls A/C relay operation according to engine load.
ADJUSTMENTS
TESTING
A/C SYSTEM PERFORMANCE
1. Connect manifold gauge set. Operate engine at 1500 RPM. Operate A/C at maximum cooling, recirculate,
fan on high, vent mode. Close all doors and windows. Place thermometer at center vent outlet.
2. Allow A/C to stabilize. Ensure high pressure is 200-227 psi (14.0-16.0 kg/cm
2 ). Read temperature at
center vent outlet. Ensure temperature is within 39-43°F (3-6°C)
A/C COMPRESSOR CLUTCH CIRCUIT
ComponentLocation
A/C RelayRight Front Corner Of Engine Compartment
Condenser FanRight Front Corner Of Engine Compartment
Blower ResistorBottom Of Blower Case
Evaporator ThermoswitchOn Evaporator Upper Case
Pressure SwitchIn High-Pressure Line, Between Receiver-Drier &
Evaporator
NOTE: For door control cable adjustments, see ADJUSTMENTS in HEATER SYSTEM

article.
WARNING:To avoid injury from accidental air bag deployment, read and follow all
SERVICE PRECAUTIONS and DISABLING & ACTIVATING AIR BAG
SYSTEM procedures in AIR BAG RESTRAINT SYSTEM article in the
ACCESSORIES/SAFETY EQUIPMENT section.
NOTE: For test procedures not covered in this article, see TESTING in HEATER
SYSTEM article.

1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata
A/C-HEATER SYSTEM - MANUAL 1997 Manual A/C-Heater System
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HALOGEN BULBS
HEADLIGHT RETRACTOR
RADIATOR CAP
RADIATOR FAN
WARRANTY INFORMATION
BASIC NEW CAR WARRANTY
Basic components are warranted against defects in materials and workmanship for 36 months or 50,000 miles,
whichever occurs first. Tires are covered by a separate warranty offered by tire manufacturer.
ANTI-PERFORATION WARRANTY
Covers body sheet metal panels for 60 months, regardless of mileage, against perforation due to corrosion.
SAFETY RESTRAINT SYSTEM WARRANTY WARNING:Relieve fuel system pressure prior to servicing any fuel system
component (fuel injection models).
WARNING:Halogen bulbs contain pressurized gas which may explode if overheated.
DO NOT touch glass portion of bulb with bare hands. Eye protection
should be worn when handling or working around halogen bulbs.
CAUTION: If headlight retractor freezes during cold weather operation, DO NOT
attempt to force mechanism. Headlights should be kept raised at all times
in cold weather. To raise them, use only headlight retractor switch. DO
NOT use headlight switch.
CAUTION: Always disconnect the fan motor when working near the radiator fan. The
fan is temperature controlled and could start at any time even when the
ignition key is in the OFF position. DO NOT loosen or remove radiator cap
when cooling system is hot.
WARNING:Keep hands away from radiator fan. Fan is controlled by a thermostatic
switch which may come on or run for up to 15 minutes even after engine
is turned off.
CAUTION: Always refer to customer's copy of warranty information for specific
model application and/or coverage limitations.

1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata
MAINTENANCE INFORMATION 1997 MAINTENANCE Mazda Maintenance Information
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frame mounting bolts. Remove steering gear and linkage from vehicle. On MPV, remove steering gear
bracket-to-frame mounting bolts. Remove steering gear and linkage with steering bracket from vehicle.
Remove 4 steering gear-to-bracket bolts and separate gear from bracket.
4. On all models, to install, reverse removal procedure. Tighten bolts to specification. See TORQUE
SPECIFICATIONS table. On MPV, tighten steering gear-to-bracket bolts in sequence: left front, right
front, left rear, right rear. On all models, fill and bleed power steering system. Check and adjust front
wheel alignment. See SPECIFICATIONS & PROCEDURES article in WHEEL ALIGNMENT.
Removal & Installation (Millenia)
1. Disconnect negative battery cable. Support engine using Engine Support (49-G017-5A0 ). Raise and
support front of vehicle. Remove front wheel assemblies. Remove cotter pins and castle nuts from tie rod
ends.
2. Using Puller Set (49-T028-3A0 ), separate tie rod ends from steering knuckles. Remove transverse
member bolts and remove transverse member. See Fig. 6
Disconnect pressure and return line connections
from steering gear. Remove intermediate shaft pinch bolt.
3. Reference mark lower steering column-to-intermediate shaft. Remove engine mount member. Remove
No. 1 engine mount bolts. Remove upper lateral link bolt and separate upper lateral link from
crossmember. Remove lower control arm-to-crossmember mounting bolt and gusset. Separate lower
control arm from crossmember.
4. Remove stabilizer link-to-lower control arm nut. Separate stabilizer link from lower control arm. Using a
jack, support front suspension crossmember. Remove crossmember retaining nuts. Carefully lower
crossmember. Disconnect stabilizer link from stabilizer bar. Remove stabilizer bar brackets, bushings and
stabilizer bar. Remove steering gear mounting nuts. Remove steering gear assembly.
5. To install, reverse removal procedure. Tighten bolts to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS
table. Tighten steering gear mounting nuts in sequence: right front, left rear, right rear, left front. Fill and
bleed power steering system. Check and adjust front wheel alignment. See SPECIFICATIONS &
PROCEDURES article in WHEEL ALIGNMENT.

1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata
STEERING SYSTEM - POWER RACK & PINION 1997 STEERING Mazda Power Rack & Pinion
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Fig. 6: Removing Steering Gear Assembly (Millenia)
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
Removal & Installation (MX-3 & Protege)
1. Disconnect negative battery cable. Raise and support front of vehicle. Remove front wheel assemblies.
Remove engine undercover. Remove cotter pins and castle nuts from tie rod ends.
2. Using Puller Set (49-T028-3A0 ), separate tie rod ends from steering knuckles. On MX-3 DOHC, remove
support bracket bolt, nut and rubber insulator. Remove steering gear insulator bolts and remove insulator.
On all models, remove intermediate shaft dust cover.
3. Mark steering column intermediate shaft-to-steering column gear pinion for installation reference.
Remove steering column intermediate shaft-to-steering gear pinion shaft bolt. Disconnect pressure and
return line connections from steering gear.
4. On M/T, remove mounting nuts and bolts from extension bar and control rod. Remove extension rod and
control rod. On all models, remove steering gear mounting nuts. Remove steering gear and linkage from

1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata
STEERING SYSTEM - POWER RACK & PINION 1997 STEERING Mazda Power Rack & Pinion
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