B-Nez

Here are my notes from installing the shock sensor this evening. The entire job took about 20 minutes maximum.

Kit Contents: Instructions, Shock Sensor, Wire harness, wire taps, zip ties.

B-Nez

Here is a closeup of the Shock Sensor itself (sorry it's a bit blurry).

B-Nez

You remove the plastic panel near the passenger side footwell. Here is what the back side and clips look like.

B-Nez

Here is another shot of the panel, showing the piece that sits under the plastic doorsill, and its clip that goes under the rubber weatherseal.

B-Nez

Here is the passenger footwell with the panel removed.

B-Nez

On the 14-pin connector (up high - top right of photo) use pliers to snap 1st wire tap onto BLUE/RED wire.

B-Nez

From the sensor harness, snap the RED wire's male connector onto the wiretap.

Note: In this photo the connector is NOT seated fully. The sleeve must contact the rear face of the wire tap, and should audibly snap.

B-Nez

Still on the 14-pin connector, snap another wiretap onto the BLACK/YELLOW wire.

From the sensor harness, snap the ORANGE wire's male end onto the wiretap.

B-Nez

Move to the lowest visible connector - the 5-pin ground connector. Attach a wiretap to any BLACK wire on this connector.

From the sensor harness, snap the BLACK wire's male connector onto the wiretap.

B-Nez

Now locate the 24-pin connector for the keyless entry module. It is the center of three, vertically placed connectors. Snap a wiretap onto the BLACK WIRE WITH BLUE STRIPE.
Pay close attention, because there is also a blue wire with a black stripe.

From the sensor harness, snap the BROWN wire's male connector onto the wiretap.

B-Nez

Your completed connections should look something like this.

Plug the sensor harness into the shock sensor and zip-tie the sensor to the far bundle of wires (keep the sensitivity **** pointed for easy adjustment). Use the other zip-tie to bundle your loose wires.

B-Nez

The completed work, with footwell panel reinstalled should look something like this. Adjust the sensitivity as required.

dcfc3s

Dang, Wayne, already got the '8 all hooked up!

I wonder if that shock sensor is a commonly-available aftermarket unit - might be able to find it cheaper.

How much was it from Mazda anyhow?

Dale

B-Nez

I paid $55 at the dealership, and saved $75 by installing it myself. Cutting the pennies to justify to the wife dropping coin on the factory service manual. And to justify the upcoming tint job.

colin204

can you scan the directions and post them?

RX-Nut

Pardon my ignorance.. what does the Shock Sensor do?

B-Nez

Sure, but gimme a day or two - really busy right now. The only reason I didn't scan initially is because the sensor comes with the instructions, and my remarks were meant to supplement said instructions.

B-Nez

The shock sensor detects shock/impact to the vehicle and trips the alarm when such a shock/impact is encountered. In many cases, it let's you know when it is storming outside when the thunder trips the alarm (people leave the sensitivity too high).

Wing

So I guess you need the alarm to get the sensor? I don't think my car has an alarm. I really don't know :shrug:

B-Nez

Try this procedure:

Roll down a window.
Close the doors.
Lock the doors with your keyfob.
Reach in through the window and open or unlock the door from the inside.
If the car goes apeshit, then you have the perimeter alarm.

eccles

You don't even need to leave the car. If you remove the key from the ignition and use the remote to lock the doors while you're still inside the car, the alarm will sound when you try to exit the vehicle. I speak from personal experience.

Wing

Yeah, I read that in the manual. I didn't try it but I don't think I have it.

Stated in the canadian specs the GT comes with an alarm the GS does not

I'm thinking about getting an alarm, but then I think it's useless. Once someone breaks in, it's too late anyways.

They would have to fiddle to defeat the ignition kill. And they have already done damage to the car in some way at that point anyways.

The best theft deterent is the flashing red light that blinks when the key is out.

I will try that trick tonight but I don't think it will go off. I wonder how much it is for the mazda alarm.

Or another question is, I wonder if it's easy enough to get an aftermarket version that works with my current keyfob and door locks/trunk etc.

Doug

Thanks for this info, waiting for the feature to be avaialbe, I just may try it myself and save the install charge too!!

Plus, I really do not like people working on my car for stuff like that.

A little off subject, has anyone experienced a rattle form the sun roof? When driving in the city, the interior roof cover vibrates alot, and I think it is the lighting that is rattling. Noise does not change if I open, close or tilt the roof or the sun shade.

Any ideas? It drives me crazy!!

doug

RX8 Pusher

B-Nez,
Props for the install pic and additional data! You just saved me $85 that a dealer was going to get tomorrow!

Best Regards

thew

All GT's have the alarm system