Miata Mailing List: April 2000, Message #1734

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Hi everyone,

I asked about this some two years ago. I'll give it another shot.

I've been getting 4 flashes from the airbag warning light on my '91. The
shop manual says that's "s-sensor" trouble, the one behind the dash. I've
gone through the diagnostic procedure (and everything checks out) up to the
point where I have to check the sensor at it's own connector. Problem is,
it's WAY WAY up there (as viewed from below) in the dash, and I cannot
really inspect the mounting, as its behind the ventilation plenum. The
sensor's interlocking connector is stuck, and I have a pretty good idea how
as the "clock-spring" connector was stuck in the same manner, and required
some prying. I cannot do the same because of the inaccessibility of it.

I noticed this problem when I hit a *mild* bump long ago (like running over
a pencil). I got 4 flashes and nothing after that for a long time, so I
ignored it...until I hit another slight bump, and saw 4 flashes once, and
only once, again. Now the damn thing wont stop flashing!

This car only has 14000mi on it, and hasn't been subject to many rough
roads, or any accidents for that matter. I'm going to assume that gold
plated ball is sitting in it's magnet for now. My battery is charged
sufficiently.

I do NOT want to dismantle the interior, just yet... :)

Any quick fixes? Can I get to the sensor by just removing the instrument
pod,etc?

Thank you all so much,
-Ryan Alford

PS: I'm getting weekly digests for the list, so, please CC me and the
list...