So this 99 Miata sport that I am planning to buy flashed the air bag light while I was driving it. I sort of brushed it off as I would a check engine light. I checked in the Miataforum and found several threads dealing with it. Apparently the light is programmed to flash in a code so you have an idea what it is flashing about.

Anybody have experience with this phenomena?

__________________
[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

What I might, hypothetically do, is get a 5-point harness and an air bag cover to pass inspection. Then disable the light via resistor of appropriate value.

I don't need live explosives aimed at my face. Especially not 15-year-old explosive devices.

Points noted.

__________________
[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

Probably a seatbelt sensor is loose in one of the seats.

__________________
1985 500SL Euro w/ AMG bits 130k
1984 300SD Turbodiesel 192k
1980 240D Stick China 188k
2001 CLK55 AMG 101k
2007 S600 Biturbo 149k Overheated Project, IT'S ALIVE!!!

Really? Thats's cool if that's all it is!

Thanks Tyler!

__________________
[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

This is a very common problem in the NA Miata's - there are capacitors on the airbag control board that age and swell. Simple fix if you're willing to do a bit of soldering.

For the NB's, my understanding is that the cap issue isn't as likely to happen as it was in the NA's, but it does still happen. Here are the codes (count the flashes) - the bad cap issue MIGHT be the problem with 2 flashes:

1999-2002
1 - computer connector
2 - bad computer
3 - bad power
6 - driver side airbag
7 - passenger side airbag
49 (4 long pulse then 9 quick pulse) - passenger deactivation switch

Link to Miata.net air bag flash wiki

__________________
1961 220b: first project car - sold.
2000 CLK 430: first modern Benz - sold.
2001 CLK 55: OMG the torque!!! - sold
1972 280SE 4.5: Baby Gustav
1991 300TE 4Matic: Gretel the Snow Bunny - sold
1978 300SD: Katz the Free Man - given away
1980 Redhead: Darling Wife

What is this "inspection" of which you speak?

__________________
Whoever said there's nothing more expensive than a cheap Mercedes never had a cheap Jaguar.

83 300D Turbo with manual conversion, early W126 vented front rotors and H4 headlights 401,xxx miles
08 Suzuki GSX-R600 M4 Slip-on 26,xxx miles
88 Jaguar XJS V12 94,xxx miles. Work in progress.
99 Mazda Miata 183,xxx miles.

What is the lifespan of an airbag before replacement is indicated? I remember that MB was recommending that the bag be replaced every ten years, but later backed away from that recommendation.

Airbags installed in mid 80s MBs are still working today. I can't say how long they will continue to work, but I can say for now most still do (assuming there are no electrical faults).

-J

__________________
1991 350SDL. 230,000 miles (new motor @ 150,000). Blown head gasket

Tesla Model 3. 205,000 miles. Been to 48 states!
Past: A fleet of VW TDIs.... including a V10,a Dieselgate Passat, and 2 ECOdiesels.
2014 Cadillac ELR
2013 Fiat 500E.

I saw a few of these in my shop (miata only). That era of airbag ecu's seem to have the capacitors leak and they go back. Sometimes it is the airbag, but ecu seems the most prevalent.
I recall some people who are handy with electronics soldering new caps in and fixing them.

I have heard that too.

__________________
[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

Gee, maybe in post #6 in this thread?

__________________
1961 220b: first project car - sold.
2000 CLK 430: first modern Benz - sold.
2001 CLK 55: OMG the torque!!! - sold
1972 280SE 4.5: Baby Gustav
1991 300TE 4Matic: Gretel the Snow Bunny - sold
1978 300SD: Katz the Free Man - given away
1980 Redhead: Darling Wife