jeff48

My 94 Touring's air bag warning light is throwing a 3 flash code, which the book attributes to a burnt 30A under the hood fuse, a 15A IGN under the dah fuse or a fault in the harness. 15A and 30A are solid (tested OK with DVM). I am not interested in doing the "book fix" (replace a $500.00+ harness) nor am I interested in doing the "black-tape- over-the-idiot-light-fix" either

Any ideas on where to start tracing a harness fault would be appreciated.

dubulup

Reading your mod list...maybe you should just remove the airbags...I'm an idiot though

jeff48

I have considered your approach, however, I would feel horrible if I removed the bags and then had a crash that resulted in the injury or death of a friend or family who might have been saved by a properly working SRS system.

The reason I considered your approach is twofold. First I would especially like to replace the stock steering wheel and secondly I want to replace the passenger SRS cover with a laptop drawer for the datalogging and mapping purposes.

For the most part, I agree with you that, at the limits of kinds of mods I run, no airbag is gonna help (I would most likely be just a stain on the road). Still, I gotta consider that hardly ever drive at the limit on the road (it is my daily driver) and any safety measures I can reasonably take are best.

Jeff

jeff48

^

jeff48

^

Zoomspeed

Where in the FSM can I find the air bag codes. My 93 started flashing code 9 today. Hope it doesn't blow up in my face.

jeff48

They are ONLY in the standalone Chassis Electrical Manual. I can look code 9 up for you later tonite.

Zoomspeed

That would be great. Thanks.

GarageBoy

I'm no help in the codes, but can't you put 5 point harnesses in?

jeff48

Nine flashes=Open or short circuit in wiring harness OR Poor connection of D-sensor connector

There are three D-sensors (front crash sensors)
the right and left sensors are located under the popup light systems
The center sensor is directly in front of the hood latch mechanism

Flowchart for testing

Step 1.
1. Deactivate the audio antitheft system
2. Disconnect negative battery cable
3. Disconnect the diagnostic module connectors and connect the test SST

Step 2
1. Check for continuity between terminal 1N (B/Y) and 2D (B/O) of the diagnostic module connector.

2. If continuity go to step 3
3. If no contiinuity go to step 5

Step 3
Measure resistance between terminals of the diagnostic module connector

a. 1H (Y) and 1M(BR) if 1.2 Kohm go to b, if not go to step 4.

b. 1G(W) and 1O(V) if 1.2 Kohm go to c, if not go to step 4.

c. 2H(L) and 2F(GY) if 1.2 Kohm replace diagnostic module, if not go to step 4.

Step 4
1. Disconnect the D-sensor connectors (center RH and LH)
2. Measure the resistance between terminal C and D if the D sensor

if 1.2 Kohm go to step 5 , if not replace d-sensor.

Step 5
Check for continuity between terminals A and B of the D-sensors

If continuity replace entire wiring harness, if not replace the D- sensor

Hope that helps

Team Belligerance

I actually like that idea of the black tape over the idiot light.
Strange how I didn't think of that!!

InsaneGideon

I know this is an old thread, but for those that search later:

I had a '91 Miata that continually complained about a bad S sensor. That sensor is located on the passenger side of the firewall, behind the dash. You have to remove the dash to get to it.

After going though the trouble of doing so, I found that the sensor itself was fine. The harness checked out 100% as well.

The culprit: the airbag CPU. I found a bad capacitor associated with the S sensor circuitry. Fixing that fixed my problem. The cap was next to a heat-sinked regulator, which probably overheated it, causing it to release the electrolyte. Interestingly enough (or maybe not), the CPU in the miata was a Ford part.

Assuming you know how to disable the airbag for service and follow the associated safety precautions, try swapping airbag CPU's before swapping harnesses. From my experience, and the experience of many others, they are, more often than not, the problem. Those huge AMP-made connectors that connect to the sensors are pretty substantial and the harnesses are usually very well protected. The sensors themselves are fairly simple and robust.

Zoomspeed

Thanks Jeff.
What is the diagnostic module test SST The procedure is referring to?

Is there anywher eI can find a diagram showing where the wires and where these sensors are, how to get to them, and what they look like?

Is it ok to be driving the car while this is happening? I dont want it to go off in my face or anything like that.

911GT2

My airbag is has been throwing code 5 since january. I ignore it. It's waaay to much for the harness, and I tried taking the light bulb out, but it beeps instead. Blinking is better than beeping.

jeff48

I will try to scan and post the pages later today.

Resource

Jeff, do your front wheels rub your fender wells? You have 17's if I remember correctly and the car is also lowered. Most setups like this will cause the front wheels to rub while turning etc. Your airbag wiring runs right inside your passenger side fender well and could possibly be the problem here. Might want stick your head under there and take a peak.

Zoomspeed

any word jeff?

XSTransAm

https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.p...=air+bag+light

XSTransAm

on a seperate note, my airbag light is STILL flashing, i hate it and want it to go away i have heard that if i take out the bulb a buzzer will turn on tho... can anyone confirm this?