Mazda MX-5 Miata / Grand Touring. Manual - part 2

(deploy) the air bags and pre-tensioner seat belts, which may cause serious injury. Before removing 
the SAS control module or disconnecting the SAS control module connector, always turn the 
ignition switch to the LOCK position, disconnect the negative battery cable, and then wait for 1 
min or more to allow the backup power supply of the SAS control module to deplete its stored 
power.  



Connecting the SAS control module connector with the SAS control module not securely fixed to 
the vehicle is dangerous. The sensor in the SAS control module could send an electrical signal to the 
air bag modules and pre-tensioner seat belts. This will operate (deploy) the air bags and pre-
tensioner seat belts, which may result in serious injury. Therefore, before connecting the connector, 
securely fix the SAS control module to the vehicle.  



Because a sensor is built into the SAS control module, once the air bags and pre-tensioner seat belts 
have operated (deployed) due to a collision or other causes, the SAS control module must be 
replaced with a new one even if the used one does not have any visible external damage or 
deformation. The used SAS control module may have been damaged internally, which may cause 
improper operation. If the SAS control module is reused, the air bags and pre-tensioner seat belts 
may not operate (deploy) normally, which could result in a serious accident. Always replace the 
SAS control module with a new one. The SAS control module cannot be bench-checked or self-
checked.  

CRASH ZONE SENSOR HANDLING 



Removing the crash zone sensor or disconnecting the crash zone sensor connector with the ignition 
switch at the ON position can activate the crash zone sensor and operate (deploy) the air bags and 
pre-tensioner seat belts, which may cause serious injury. Before removing the crash zone sensor or 
disconnecting the crash zone sensor connector, always turn the ignition switch to the LOCK 
position, disconnect the negative battery cable, and then wait for 1 min or more to allow the backup 
power supply of the SAS control module to deplete its stored power.  



If the crash zone sensor is subjected to shock or the sensor is disassembled, the air bags and pre-
tensioner seat belts may accidentally operate (deploy) and cause injury, or the system may fail to 
operate normally and cause a serious accident. Do not subject the crash zone sensor to shock or 
disassemble the sensor.  



Because a sensor is built into the crash zone sensor, once the air bags and pre-tensioner seat belts 
have operated (deployed) due to a collision or other causes, the crash zone sensor must be replaced 
with a new one even if the used one does not have any visible external damage or deformation. If 
the crash zone sensor is reused, the air bags and pre-tensioner seat belts may not operate (deploy) 
normally, which could result in a serious accident. Always replace the crash zone sensor with a new 
one. The crash zone sensor cannot be bench-checked or self-checked.  

SIDE AIR BAG SENSOR HANDLING 



Removing the side air bag sensor or disconnecting the side air bag sensor connector with the 
ignition switch at the ON position can activate the side air bag sensor and operate (deploy) the side 
air bag, which may cause serious injury. Before removing the side air bag sensor or disconnecting 
the side air bag sensor connector, always turn the ignition switch to the LOCK position, disconnect 
the negative battery cable, and then wait for 1 min or more to allow the backup power supply of the 
SAS control module to deplete its stored power.

 

2008 Mazda MX-5 Miata Grand Touring 

2008 RESTRAINTS Air Bag System - MX-5 Miata

  



If the side air bag sensor is subjected to shock or the sensor is disassembled, the side air bag may 
accidentally operate (deploy) and cause injury, or the system may fail to operate normally and 
cause a serious accident. Do not subject the side air bag sensor to shock or disassemble the sensor.  



Because a sensor is built into the side air bag sensor, once the air bag has operated (deployed) due 
to a collision or other causes, the side air bag sensor must be replaced with a new one even if the 
used one does not have any visible external damage or deformation. If the side air bag sensor is 
reused, the side air bag may not operate (deploy) normally, which could result in a serious accident. 
Always replace the side air bag sensor with a new one. The side air bag sensor cannot be bench-
checked or self-checked.  

PRE-TENSIONER SEAT BELT INSPECTION 



Inspecting a pre-tensioner seat belt using a tester can operate (deploy) the pre-tensioner seat belt, 
which may cause serious injury. Do not use a tester to inspect a pre-tensioner seat belt. Always use 
the on-board diagnostic function to diagnose the pre-tensioner seat belt for malfunctions. 

Fig. 5: Inspecting Pre-Tensioner Seat Belt Using Tester Caution 
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP. 

AIR BAG SYSTEM SERVICE CAUTIONS 

AIR BAG SYSTEM COMPONENT DISASSEMBLY 

 

2008 Mazda MX-5 Miata Grand Touring 

2008 RESTRAINTS Air Bag System - MX-5 Miata

  



Disassembling the air bag system components could cause it to not operate (deploy) normally. 
Never disassemble any air bag system components. 

Fig. 6: Air Bag System Service Cautions 
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP. 

AIR BAG MODULE, PRE-TENSIONER SEAT BELT HANDLING 



Oil, grease, or water on the air bag modules may cause the air bags and pre-tensioner seat belts to 
fail to operate (deploy) in an accident. Never allow oil, grease, or water to get on the air bag 
modules or pre-tensioner seat belts.  



Inserting a screwdriver or similar object into the connector of an air bag module or a pre-tensioner 
seat belt may damage the connector and cause the air bag module or the pre-tensioner seat belt to 
operate (deploy) improperly, which may cause serious injury. Never insert any foreign objects into 
the air bag module or seat belt connectors.

 

2008 Mazda MX-5 Miata Grand Touring 

2008 RESTRAINTS Air Bag System - MX-5 Miata

  

Fig. 7: Air Bag Module & Pre-Tensioner Seat Belt Handling Caution 
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP. 

SEAT WEIGHT SENSOR HANDLING 



The seat weight sensor has a built-in strain gauge which may operate improperly if the sensor is 
dropped by itself or when installed to the seat. If it is dropped, replace the seat weight sensor with a 
new one.  



Oil, grease, or water on the seat weight sensor may cause the system to operate (deploy) 
improperly. Never allow oil, grease, or water to get on the seat weight sensor.  



Foreign material in the seat weight sensor components may cause the system to operate (deploy) 
improperly. Always make sure that no foreign material can get into the seat weight sensor.  



Disassembling the seat weight sensor, or tightening any of the nuts and bolts installed to the sensor 
body may cause it to operate (deploy) improperly. Never disassemble the seat weight sensor or 
tighten any of the nuts or bolts installed to the body of the sensor.  

AIR BAG MODULE, PRE-TENSIONER SEAT BELT REUSE 



Even if an air bag module or a pre-tensioner seat belt does not operate (deploy) in a collision and 
does not have any external signs of damage, it may have been damaged internally, which may cause 
improper operation. Before reusing a live (undeployed) air bag module and the pre-tensioner seat 
belts, always use the on-board diagnostic to diagnose the air bag module and the pre-tensioner seat 
belts to verify that they have no malfunction.  

AIR BAG WIRING HARNESS REPAIR 

 

2008 Mazda MX-5 Miata Grand Touring 

2008 RESTRAINTS Air Bag System - MX-5 Miata