Mazda MX-5 Miata (2005 and earlier)

ateixeira

Just be aware, that might fail a safety inspection if your state requires one each year, or when you eventually sell it.

-juice

lngtonge18

After reading the airbag problem forums, it appears fixing the airbag would be an expensive prospect unless you do all the work yourself and get used parts from ebay. The 10 blinks occur when the fuse inside the airbag control module blows after waiting too long to repair the original problem. In your case, it sounds like you had multiple problems. There are three D sensors on the front end, one on each corner of the front frame rails and one next to the hood latch. The S sensor is located behind the middle of the dash and is very expensive to replace. Apparently, you can buy a used airbag control module for relatively cheap but replacing it will only bring the blinks back down to the 4 or 5 you orignally had. It is suggested you test and replace whichever sensor is malfunctioning first and then replace the control module. You can't replace the blown fuse because it is soldered onto the circuit board. The airbag system seems to be the Miata's weak link since a lot of people are reporting this problem. Few have actually paid to get it repaired. Just to give you an idea, one guy paid $938 to a Mazda dealer just to replace the S sensor and the airbag control module. I think i'm just going to let it blink and take my chances without the bag. I may even replace the steering wheel later on with a Nardi or Momo wheel. I need to just stick a piece of black tape over the light so it doens't annoy me anymore.

Here's the clincher though, guess what happens once the light finally burns out?? The darn thing will start audibly beeping at you 3 times the entire time you are driving!! Jeez, what moron denied this annoying system?? The good news is, if you have a pre-95 Miata, you can simply unplug the 2 plugs from the control module near the steering column to get rid of the beeping. It just won't get rid of the light.

lngtonge18

While trying to run some tests on my car today I noticed an odd occurence. Before the car was fully warmed up, I put the car in reverse with the clutch pushed in and the idle went up from 900 to 1100 rpms. I took it out of reverse and the idle dropped back down. I did this three times and the same thing occured each time. After the car was completely warmed up, it no longer did this. Is this supposed to occur? Why does the idle increase when the only difference is the reverse lights are on?

I think I have narrowed down the source of my idle problems some. The PCV valve is operating correctly and all vaccuum lines appear to be fine. I'm going to drive the car today and see if the idle acts up. It wouldn't do it for me while running my checks. I will say the simple test to check the operation of the idle air control valve is difficult to do because the plug is impossible to reach without taking hoses off. UUGGhhhh...

phankane

I want to buy a wing rear spoiler. My budget is under $200. Any recomendation, please! and can you paint it yourself?

thel

I guess you could try ebay and try to pick up one from a wrecked car. You could also try the classifieds at Miata.net.

The factory one will run you almost $400 shipped and installed brand new.

As for painting it yourself, I suppose anyone with a can of Krylon could paint it...now how good of a job it will be is debatable but ther you go.

unboringuy

So it sounds like it will be quite expensive to try to fix the airbag, since I've had 9 blinks off and on, then 4 blinks, then 5 blinks, and now 10 blinks constantly.

Is there any way to disable the airbag light? What if I replace the steering wheel with a non-airbag model, same question...how do I stop that darn blinking?

lngtonge18

There is no easy way to disable the light. People who have replaced the steering wheel just put a piece of black tape over the light. You could pull the bulb out, but thats an awful lot of trouble to go through and you will initiate the beeping noise, which then requires unplugging the airbag control module and hope it shuts the beeping off. A very stupid design if you ask me.

ateixeira

They're doing everything they can to make it hard for people to disable a safety feature.

-juice

revdrluv

I was down at my local Mazda dealership this past weekend to test an RX-8 (and recieve my 25 dollar super certificate). Afterwards my fiance took a test drive in a new Miata. We used to have a 95 and have thought about buying a new one when we need a second car (right now we only have, and need, one car. But that could change soon).

She thought the new one was really nice. In fact it seemed almost too nice. She felt during the drive that it lacked an edginess that the previous gen possessed. It was kind of a disappointment and made her miss the old 95 even more. Now she wants to consider a more vintage roadster to get an even greater sense of that raw driving "feeling".

I didn't even tell her that this is the same critique that many Miata nuts have with the current model!

MWA HA HA I've created a Monster!!!

ateixeira

I felt the same way. I own a '93 and tested a new one a year or two ago.

It's too....nice! It's more quiet, less windy, the wind blocker cradles you in. But I felt like it detracted from the wind-in-the-hair experience.

My '93 seemed more raw. You absorb the wind, the noises, the environment seems to give more feedback. More importantly it felt a lot lighter.

-juice

locke2c

what hair? ;-)

-Colin

ateixeira

That's just it! The wind blew it all away!

Any how, the MR2 is much worse, high cowl and high door sills detract even more from that feel-of-the-road I enjoy.

-juice

thel

I'm about 6'1" and get lots of turbulence in my NB. I usually wear a hat since I don't like the dirty hair feel after a romp in the roadster. Either that, or I keep my full head of thick hair (tee hee) cut short.

Unfortunatly, it appears that it won't be a problem soon...my wife is now working part-time and the $250 + $50 (insurance) I'm spending on the Miata as a 3rd car is getting to be a real financial burden. Since selling it is tough this time of the year (I'm currently at home on the frist snow day of the year), I'll probably go the quick and painless route and either carmax it (long trip to KC) or sell it to a local dealer.

ateixeira

I'm about 6' even.

That's why I bought mine used. Hard to justify an expensive toy.

Why not get an earlier one? For $4 grand you can get a decent one nowadays.

-juice

stickguy

I'm 6', with a long torso. I am surprised how comfy it stays in the cabin, with the top down but windows and windblocker up, even on the highway with temps in the 40's (just ignore the strange looks you get).

The top of my head does stick up a bit, so that was the only part getting a little chill. I don't like wearing hats, and it wasn't really too bad.

Now, if the weather would clear up and the roads dry off, I could actually take it out of the garage again.

ateixeira

I wear a English style cap that sort of goes with the roadster mood.

Lost my string back gloves, though.

-juice

thel

I use leather driving gloves and a knit cap. Covers the ears and blocks the wind very well. I'll drive topless as long as it is above 41 degrees or so as per the manual.

Juice, out here in the middle of hardly anywhere, $4,000 Miatas are non-existent. The cheapest I've seen was well above $5,000 and I didn't see what the condition was. Lots of NB's around every now and then but very few NA's even at the wholesale lots. To get an NA, I'll probably have to drive 2-3 hours to STL or KC to see any selection at all.

ateixeira

In DC they are abundant, and it's a good time to buy because demand is nonexistent with this weather.

-juice

thel

Well, at least we don't have that DC traffic to play in I suppose...

keithrichmond

On the idle problem. Interesting about the clutch - have you checked to see if your clutch slave cylinder needs a rebuild? The symptoms of that are that the car idle will drop (and try and electronically catch back up) when the clutch is engaged and put in gear (or when left in gear in stop/go traffic). My '93 exhibited an odd thing like yours where the idle would go *up* slightly when the clutch was engagaged and I shifted into 1st. No one could verify how the engine knew I shifted the selector though!

On the M1/M2 debate - I've just gotten into an '99 after nearly 10 years in a '93. The '99s are much less 'plush' than the 01's and later. My base model '99 is pretty spartan too - nearly exactly like my '93! The only noticeable difference is the doors slam with a more solid thud than before...

Keith R.
Warrenton, VA USA

revdrluv

I have heard this too, what makes the 99' edgier than the 01' and on? I mean it is basically the exact same car. Did they add sound proofing? Did the mess with the suspension setup? Did they do something to add extra weight?

ateixeira

I had a leaky clutch slave cylinder, the clutch pedal got spongy and even went to the floor once.

Rebuild is not hard, and I'm hardly an expert. I did need my wife to help pump the clutch pedal, though. And it involved me running from the slave to the reservoir to top it off a few times.

Worked, though. $10.74 in parts, perfect a year later.

-juice

PS My idle was out of whack, too. Go figure.

phankane

Thanks thel, I bought a painted rear spoiler on ebay from spoiler depot for $149. It looks a bit fllater than the picture on their page. I will install it today.

phankane

I bought a set of wheels and tires from tirerack and later I found out that discounttiredirect offers free shiping and and lot of good tires and wheels in their stock. It is worth to have a look.

stickguy

What is the normal expected idle speed for a gen 2 (2001)? Mine idles at about 850. DOesn't seem to be a problem, just higher than my other recent cars.

thel

I'm glad I could help you. Is it like the one you get from the factory?

lngtonge18

Interesting that 2 other people have mentioned a wacky idle at the same time their slave cylinder was going out. I think mine does have a very small leak because I had to add fluid a few months back, but so far the fluid level is staying the same. I haven't driven my Miata much since it turned so cold, but the idle problem hasn't resurfaced. This is definitely a thing that's makin me go hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm...

stickguy

anyone with a 2nd generation car remember what normal warm idle is? I have to take it in Monday for inspection and a couple of minor things, and want to have it checked if it seems out of spec.

ateixeira

I think for my '93 it was 750 rpm, even then I'm not 100% sure. Anyone confirm or deny?

-juice

poorrichard01

According to Mazda's 2002 Workshop Manual, the idle speed should be between 750 and 850 rpm (or 800 rpm plus/minus 50). It actually lists it both ways (for those who can't convert from one to the other?).

Remember, in 2001 they added distributorless ignition and variable valve timing (for a neck-snapping 2-horsepower increase), but I don't think they changed the idle speed by much, if at all.

By the way, these workshop manuals and parts diagrams are usually available on CD-ROM on E-Bay for about $15 -- considerably cheaper than the $100 I paid for the paper edition.

Best of luck, Poor Richard

ateixeira

That's cheaper than the nearly useless Haynes manual I got. As a reference it is sometimes handy, but I always get better info on-line.

-juice

revdrluv

Does anyone know if Mazda USA has stated pricing for the MAZDASPEED MX-5 Miata?

ateixeira

Haven't seen it yet. I'm curious to see where prices will fall.

-juice

keithrichmond

Interesting to hear others talk of the ebay CDROM manual. I got really pissed when Mazda upped the price of the paperback manual from $55 to $100 a month or so ago so I took a chance and ordered one of the 'all years' "factory" manuals from Japan off ebay ($25 after shipping & insurance). I haven't gotten it yet so I can't comment on it but hopefully it will be good. I have my '93 factory shop manual still and have used it well. I'm hoping the same usefulness in the CDROM...we'll see!

Keith R.
Warrenton, VA USA

docibilis

Just got an '04 Miata LS and wondering if 195/60 snow tires on 15" wheels will fit. I am having difficulty finding snow tires to replace the stock tires (205/45-16) and someone is offering the smaller tires/wheels. Apparently it used to fit an earlier model Miata. I could use some snow tires and these are available right away instead of waiting a week.

ateixeira

My concern would be brake caliper clearance. If 15s fit on other models with the same brakes, you could probably go ahead.

-juice

locke2c

the tire is too tall. my ex has 185/60-14 snows on her '00 base+susp and they are tall relative to other tires of the same size due to tread depth.

there's simply no way a 195/60-15 would fit IMHO.

-c

crashton6

I believe that the LS has the big brakes on it. The 15 inch wheels won't clear the calipers. Check with Tire Rack to find out what fits.

phankane

Has anyone put 205-55-15 tires on 99 miata?

thel

I was forced to sell my crystal blue LS Miata today. Without getting too detailed, one of the cars had to go and the Miata was the only one I was not buried in so off it went.

All is not lost though....I will now begin the long search for what is my favorite Miata...a 2002 Blazing Yellow SE. I won't be able to afford one for a year or two, most likely, but it will be worth the wait.

I'll still check in from time to time but man, what a day!

locke2c

205-55-15 are WAY too tall. that's capital, as in, not remotely close to fitting.

-Colin

ateixeira

Sorry to hear that Louis. I'm sure you'll bounce back with an even nicer one eventually. Absence makes the heart grow fonder, so maybe you'll appreciate it even more when it arrives.

-juice

thel

I'm pretty bummed about it, but not as bad as I thought I would be. I guess I'm successfully finding the silver linings.

phankane

The original tire is 185-60-14. So 55-15 would not be too TALL, would it?

thel

Yes it would be too tall on a 205 mm wide tire. Tirerack.com has a tire size "calculator" that you can use to check to see if the height is the same when you change the width.

thel

With a 15" rim, you'd be looking at a 195/50/15 to maintain a similar overall height. Going to a 205 width wou could use a 205/45/16 with a 16" rim or maybe a 205/40/15....but that would be a difficult tire to find and it would'nt be cheap. Hope this helps.

phankane

At directdiscount tire, they said 205/50/15 is OK. I will get this set.
Thanks

tampamiata

On a 1993 Miata: how do I get into the fuse panel under the dash? I see the picture of where it is, but I cannot find a cover to remove.

keithrichmond

(edited from previous post)
There's a handy tire size calculator on miata.net too. It is a lot easier to find. Look for it in the Garage section under "Tires and Wheels".

I have 205/40/16 Toyos on my '99 (and previously on my '93) and they look sharp, fit well, but ride hard...

Keith R.

keithrichmond

Ok, now that my CDROM service manual arrived I've found it to be not exactly what I was looking for. It is good in a Haynes/Chilton kind of way but not nearly as detailed as the $100 Mazda service manual.

the search continues...
Keith R.