View Full Version : What's under the back seat?
jtimbck2 10-09-2003, 06:21 PM I took the right side back seat out of my 8 last night so I could run my XM antenna wire hidden behind it (after running it under the door sill from front to back), and there was an approx. 8" diameter round metal plate covering something. I was pretty sure there weren't subwoofers in the car (I have the Bose system, the woofers are in the front doors, right?), so I removed the plate (held down by 4 screws) to investigate.
Under the plate there's a round white plastic device with a wiring connector attached to it, and two wires running to it. I couldn't tell anything else about it, and I didn't want to disconnect it. I didn't think to grab my digicam and snap a picture. It sure looked like it could have been a speaker, but I even turned on the stereo and couldn't hear or feel any vibrations coming from it.
What is this? It's just a matter of curiosity, but I'd like to know. Any ideas?
goodyrx8 10-09-2003, 06:29 PM I looked at those as well and initially thought they were subs although when playing a CD I could not hear and feel any vibration coming from them. I've seen similar in other vehicles. I thought if not subs maybe the determine if someone is seated there.
mikeb 10-09-2003, 09:04 PM so what is it then
neit_jnf 10-09-2003, 09:28 PM That's the GAS PUMP, similar (in location) to my Mazda Protege 5's
B-Nez 10-09-2003, 09:30 PM Without photos to see what you're talking about, my guess would be: Is it the gas tank, with fuel pump wiring?
goodyrx8 10-10-2003, 12:40 AM I don't believe it has anything to do with the gas pump. There is one under each rear seat. They actually look like little subs but as I mentioned earlier, I could not detect sound or vibration.
The lower part of the rear seats pop right out without any screws. Why don't one of you guys take a look. I would take another look myself but have 2 child seats installed and they are a pain to remove.
Sputnik 10-10-2003, 12:02 PM Don't forget the odd shape of the tank. They have to employ a method to draw gas from both sides of the tank. There is nothing there that is connected with the audio system, it is part of the fueling system.
---jps
6speed8 10-10-2003, 08:04 PM The fuel tank is benieth the rear seats, the round plate is probably for access to the fuel pump and connections to the tank.
come 8 me 10-10-2003, 11:22 PM good finding
it must be the fuel pump or some kind of stablising devvice to help cornereing.
Could be sensors to prevent the rear airbags from firing unless there is a passenger in the rear seat.
-Dave
IWANTMYRX8 10-11-2003, 05:54 PM What 'bout the onstar satilites? Just a thought?
jtimbck2 10-11-2003, 06:12 PM Originally posted by IWANTMYRX8
What 'bout the onstar satilites? Just a thought?
:confused: What the hell are you talking about?
mikeb 10-11-2003, 06:18 PM so what is IT_____________
IWANTMYRX8 10-11-2003, 06:31 PM duh...brain fart...not onstar...but the nav satillite...that's what i meant.
jtimbck2 10-11-2003, 10:21 PM Originally posted by IWANTMYRX8
duh...brain fart...not onstar...but the nav satillite...that's what i meant.
Interesting theory...except I don't have nav.
So far we have two plausible theories: something to do with the fuel tank/fuel pump system, and some kind of passenger sensors.
I don't think passenger sensors would need to be 8" across, and the fact that these things are covered by a metal plate makes this theory pretty unlikely, so I'm going to assume it's something fuel-related.
B-Nez 10-11-2003, 11:03 PM Originally posted by IWANTMYRX8
duh...brain fart...not onstar...but the nav satillite...that's what i meant.
Umm, I'm almost sure the U.S. Global Positioning System Satelites were not hidden under my kids butts. There is a GPS antenna hidden in the roof, and the NAV computer sits in the rear passenger center console. There are no under-the-butt satelite dishes, either.
goodyrx8 10-11-2003, 11:11 PM Someone should unplug them and see if the car still goes:D
IWANTMYRX8 10-12-2003, 12:23 AM Ok. I'm not theorizing on what things might be anymore. My feelings are hurt. Im gonna run away and cry now. Be back in a few :-(
goodyrx8 10-12-2003, 08:46 AM Originally posted by IWANTMYRX8
Ok. I'm not theorizing on what things might be anymore. My feelings are hurt. Im gonna run away and cry now. Be back in a few :-(
Don't feel bad IWANTMYRX8, nobody ever got fired for asking a stupid question - oh, that was a stupid answer, they do get fired for that;)
Just kidding buddy, we are eagerly waiting for your report.
8_wannabe 10-12-2003, 10:35 AM Originally posted by B-Nez
Umm, I'm almost sure the U.S. Global Positioning System Satelites were not hidden under my kids butts. There are no under-the-butt satelite dishes, either.
You are wrong. They were put there to detect uranus. BWAHAHAHAHAHA! (sorry, immature I know but it was a perfect setup.)
goodyrx8 10-12-2003, 11:07 AM yes, but still very funny:D :D :D
Sputnik 10-12-2003, 01:40 PM Originally posted by XK4
Could be sensors to prevent the rear airbags from firing unless there is a passenger in the rear seat. What rear airbags?
---jps
Originally posted by Sputnik
What rear airbags?
---jps
According to the RX8 brochure, under "interior features", the RX8 has "Side air curtains with coverage for front and rear seats".
-Dave
Ringer 10-12-2003, 10:40 PM I had a Ford Laser (a badge engineered Mazda 323) over 20 years ago. The fuel gauge stopped working one day and my mechanic pulled up the back seat to get at a round plate covering the fuel gauge sensor in the place you described. It's a float driven rheostat with wires attached.
I am not going to rip the back seats off my RX8 to confirm that for you but I strongly believe that's the object of your curiosity.
-Ringer-
mikeb 10-13-2003, 02:18 PM the 8 has 8 airbags I thought
MazdaManiac 10-13-2003, 02:35 PM Fuel pump and level sending unit.
WTF no turbo 10-13-2003, 07:26 PM Maniac is right turned key and i can hear it run.
Hymee 10-21-2003, 12:16 AM Yep - it is access points to the fuel tank(s) and the associated pump, sender and filter.
Had mine apart yesterday to drain bad fuel.
Cheers,
Hymee.
neit_jnf 10-21-2003, 07:21 AM Originally posted by neit_jnf ON 10/09
That's the GAS PUMP, similar (in location) to my Mazda Protege 5's
I TOLD YOU !!!!! Look back to the first page, 4th post down...
NOBODY LISTENS TO ME... :D
Originally posted by IWANTMYRX8
Ok. I'm not theorizing on what things might be anymore. My feelings are hurt. Im gonna run away and cry now. Be back in a few :-(
Vanishes into the Amazon and is never heard of again, but strangely still continues to rack up entertainments on the company AMEX :D
cueball 10-21-2003, 05:52 PM Here is the "rear airbag".
http://www.mazdausa.com/MusaWeb/images/photographs/pho_veh_safety_passenger01_RX8.jpg
It is actually just a side curtain airbag that extends to the back seat.
Hymee 10-21-2003, 06:44 PM Originally posted by neit_jnf
I TOLD YOU !!!!! Look back to the first page, 4th post down...
NOBODY LISTENS TO ME... :D
Thats cool dude. I did see that. I was just confirming what you said after I saw it in the flesh the other morning after my fuel dramas!
Cheers,
Hymee.
mototking 12-09-2011, 01:59 PM How do I get the white circle cap open? It seems like its locked in place
Chris 12-09-2011, 02:08 PM sst (special service tool) is needed to take the fuel tank lid off
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