Mazda MX-5 Miata (1997+). Manual — part 4

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
retaining 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

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

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.

Code

Possible Cause

0

(1)

SAS unit

3

Power Source Circuit

6

Driver-Side Air Bag Module Circuit

7

Passenger-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

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