Expert: Mp2 - 10/21/2009

Question
My wife's 1990 Miata has only 107,000 miles(odd as it seems...we rarely drive other than two miles to work and back).
I am getting ten flashes from the air bag light but I car drives fine.

I took out the computer under the passenger kick panel. Nothing looks fried. WD40ed the connectors and hooked it back up again.
Still does ten flashes.

The problem is I need to stop the flashing in order to pass state inspection.

What do you think is the problem if the car drives fine?

Answer
Ten indicates the diagnostic control has failed internally, to date there is no repair service of the device.  To correct the issue you'll need to buy a replacement diagnostic control module (est$180).  It is the larger blue control box above the steering column under dash.  The smaller unit is the battery back up unit.  The battery backup unit is no longer available for replacement.  The system works fine without the battery backup, it's purpose is to provide power to the SRS in the event the Miata's battery power is terminated at the time of a collision.  Installing a new one will give you another 15-20 years of service, see you at 214,000 miles.

service@miatashop.com