Notices
General Miata Chat A place to talk about anything Miata

Airbag light fix

Old Jan 6, 2012 | 07:16 PM
  #1  
matthewdesigns's Avatar
Thread Starter
Elite Member
iTrader: (8)
 
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,648
Total Cats: 55
From: WNC
Default Airbag light fix

I thought I'd post this on it's own instead of bumping one of the other old threads. I tried the resistor trick when I installed my new wheel but it did not work. This one did. I found this solution over on M.net, but with inquiries about how to make it go away even here on MT, I figured it would help someone out.

Here's the copied post from M.net:

Originally Posted by Captrage
After searching and searching, trying to absorb as much as I can about what makes my airbag light blink 4 times, then escalate to 10 times, I came up with a solution to shut it down without audible alarms or having to pull the bulb. At least until I can get the diagnostic module repaired or replaced.

I was about to just cut the wire going to the bulb, when I started looking at how the connector goes into the airbag diagnostic module;
The module has 2 plastic blades that go into the connector, keeping the circuit to the bulb open, once the connector is pulled out, the circuit gets closed and the airbag light comes on solid to alert that there is a problem with the system/connection.

I disconnected the module, got a medium sized zip tie, cut it to about 6 inches and inserted it into both holes of the connector, by looping it, where the earlier mentioned plastic blades would be ...and eureka!

No airbag light, no audible tone, no blinking, and best of all, no airbag in my face!

I've attached a picture (hopefully) and I hope this explains what I did.

Old Jan 6, 2012 | 09:19 PM
  #2  
Doppelgänger's Avatar
Elite Member
iTrader: (12)
 
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 6,850
Total Cats: 71
From: Charlotte, NC
Default

What resistor did you use? Must use a 1/4 watt 3ohm resistor....anything else and it won't work. I have had success with the resistor
Old Jan 6, 2012 | 09:21 PM
  #3  
jhn17843's Avatar
Newb
 
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 2
Total Cats: 0
Default

I also used the correct resistor and it didn't work. The zip tie trick did though.
Old Jan 6, 2012 | 10:26 PM
  #4  
matthewdesigns's Avatar
Thread Starter
Elite Member
iTrader: (8)
 
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,648
Total Cats: 55
From: WNC
Default

I used a single 3ohm, and (3) 1ohm resistors in series, each a 1/4 watt. Had no luck with any of that for some reason.



















<---- Edit: 666th post. Hail Satan.
Old Jan 6, 2012 | 10:32 PM
  #5  
Braineack's Avatar
Boost Czar
iTrader: (62)
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 80,552
Total Cats: 4,368
From: Chantilly, VA
Default

your 92 needs no resistor. just tie the two wires together. problem solved.
Old Jan 7, 2012 | 12:14 AM
  #6  
matthewdesigns's Avatar
Thread Starter
Elite Member
iTrader: (8)
 
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,648
Total Cats: 55
From: WNC
Default

I've read a bunch of threads about the dash light and never seen that before. Good to know.
Old Jun 16, 2013 | 04:15 PM
  #7  
pdexta's Avatar
Elite Member
iTrader: (17)
 
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,954
Total Cats: 184
From: Knoxville, TN
Default

I found this thread searching to get rid of my airbag light. Thought I'd update it with a pic since the original link is broken.

The airbag module is a blue box just above the steering column. You just unplug the wires and jam a ziptie into the harness where the little plastic things go. It took 2 minutes and got rid of my light, I was amazed how easy and simple this was. Much better than messing around with wiring in resistors.

Attached Thumbnails Airbag light fix-dsc00889.jpg  
Old Jun 17, 2013 | 01:49 AM
  #8  
psreynol's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 693
Total Cats: -33
From: chicago
Default

very good info but why do you need a crazy loop? cant you just use a small piece of plastic? i guess it is good to let people know this mod was made in case someone wants to undo it down the road.
Old Jun 17, 2013 | 09:16 AM
  #9  
pdexta's Avatar
Elite Member
iTrader: (17)
 
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,954
Total Cats: 184
From: Knoxville, TN
Default

No need for the loop. That's how the first guy did it and I didn't see any reason not to do it that way. I could go in and cut the ziptie so it's not looped, but that requires more cuts and fiddling with a smaller piece of plastic in an already cramped area. Then if one end falls out I'll have to cut up another ziptie instead of just pushing the end that fell out back in place.
Old Jun 17, 2013 | 01:08 PM
  #10  
Braineack's Avatar
Boost Czar
iTrader: (62)
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 80,552
Total Cats: 4,368
From: Chantilly, VA
Default

Cool story, but what purpose does that actually provide? does it break a circuit? does it push in some sort of button that tells the ECU it's plugged in?

WHAT IS IT MAN?!



anyways, if you have a 90-93, you just need to twist the two airbag wires together, otherwise it's best to just take a resistance reading of the airbag itself, then match that the best you can on the connector.
Old Jun 17, 2013 | 03:50 PM
  #11  
Preluding's Avatar
Senior Member
iTrader: (10)
 
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,186
Total Cats: 4
From: Fredericton, NB
Default

I fixed mine by pulling the bulb, never bothered me again...
Old Jun 17, 2013 | 04:41 PM
  #12  
krazykarl's Avatar
Junior Member
 
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 59
Total Cats: 9
Default

Originally Posted by Braineack
otherwise it's best to just take a resistance reading of the airbag itself, then match that the best you can on the connector.
I've always heard this is a very bad idea, as the current a multimeter uses to test the resistance may be sufficient to fire the air bag.

The approach I've seen suggested is to wire in a potentiometer and slowly adjust it until the airbag light stays off, then measure the resistance of the potentiometer and replace it with resistors of an equal value.

I don't know if that's 100% necessary, but when dealing with explosives, one cannot be too safe.
Old Jun 17, 2013 | 05:17 PM
  #13  
supercooper's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1,112
Total Cats: 35
From: Pennsylvania
Default

Originally Posted by krazykarl
I've always heard this is a very bad idea, as the current a multimeter uses to test the resistance may be sufficient to fire the air bag.

The approach I've seen suggested is to wire in a potentiometer and slowly adjust it until the airbag light stays off, then measure the resistance of the potentiometer and replace it with resistors of an equal value.

I don't know if that's 100% necessary, but when dealing with explosives, one cannot be too safe.
i know its not something to play with or anything, but most airbags require 12 volts to be put through them in order to set them off... multimeters dont put that much voltage through. HOWEVER, i have heard of people being able to set off some airbags with a 9volt battery. but still, even at that, i dont think multimeters push out even 9volts. IM PERSONALLY not gonna play with it, BUT theoretically, you could probably still use a powered multimeter on them...
Old Jun 17, 2013 | 06:14 PM
  #14  
pdexta's Avatar
Elite Member
iTrader: (17)
 
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,954
Total Cats: 184
From: Knoxville, TN
Default

Originally Posted by Braineack
Cool story, but what purpose does that actually provide? does it break a circuit? does it push in some sort of button that tells the ECU it's plugged in?

WHAT IS IT MAN?!
Push ziptie into airbag module harness, light goes out and does not come back.

Personally, I felt like this way was easier, quicker, cheaper, and without risk of blowing your head off.
Old Jun 17, 2013 | 10:28 PM
  #15  
Gryff's Avatar
Senior Member
iTrader: (6)
 
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 924
Total Cats: 16
From: Charlotte, NC
Default

I just pulled the whole airbag system personally, I had a good amount of free time though... whats wrong with disconnecting the airbag control module, and pulling the bulb? its not like pulling the bulb would take all that long to do
Old Jun 18, 2013 | 07:23 AM
  #16  
Braineack's Avatar
Boost Czar
iTrader: (62)
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 80,552
Total Cats: 4,368
From: Chantilly, VA
Default

Originally Posted by pdexta
Push ziptie into airbag module harness, light goes out and does not come back.

Personally, I felt like this way was easier, quicker, cheaper, and without risk of blowing your head off.
I should ban you for this...
Old Jun 18, 2013 | 08:34 AM
  #17  
pdexta's Avatar
Elite Member
iTrader: (17)
 
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,954
Total Cats: 184
From: Knoxville, TN
Default

I just bumped a thread that I found useful and simpler than other methods, and added a picture because the link had been broken. If you think the method is stupid and want to ban me for it, knock yourself out.
Old Jun 18, 2013 | 08:35 AM
  #18  
Braineack's Avatar
Boost Czar
iTrader: (62)
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 80,552
Total Cats: 4,368
From: Chantilly, VA
Default

that's wouldnt be why.

It's because I asked a specific question and you didnt answer it. I demand ANSWERS and will shake it out of you!
Old Jun 18, 2013 | 10:33 AM
  #19  
pdexta's Avatar
Elite Member
iTrader: (17)
 
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,954
Total Cats: 184
From: Knoxville, TN
Default

The guy that originally did it said:

The module has 2 plastic blades that go into the connector, keeping the circuit to the bulb open, once the connector is pulled out, the circuit gets closed and the airbag light comes on solid to alert that there is a problem with the system/connection.
Beyond that, I don't have a clue. I'm no trailblazer, I just try to copy what other people do. The light is off, the car hasn't caught fire, so I assume whatever it did was successful.
Old Jun 18, 2013 | 11:02 AM
  #20  
Braineack's Avatar
Boost Czar
iTrader: (62)
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 80,552
Total Cats: 4,368
From: Chantilly, VA
Default

okay, that's what i figured. I just wanted confirmation. That's probably the easiest method since you've probably disabled the airbag in the first place to have airbag light issues.

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 09:30 PM.