What's under the back seat?
 

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?

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.

so what is it then

That's the GAS PUMP, similar (in location) to my Mazda Protege 5's

Without photos to see what you're talking about, my guess would be: Is it the gas tank, with fuel pump wiring?

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.

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

The fuel tank is benieth the rear seats, the round plate is probably for access to the fuel pump and connections to the tank.

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

What 'bout the onstar satilites? Just a thought?

:confused: What the hell are you talking about?

so what is IT_____________

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.

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.

Someone should unplug them and see if the car still goes:D

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.

You are wrong. They were put there to detect uranus. BWAHAHAHAHAHA! (sorry, immature I know but it was a perfect setup.)

yes, but still very funny:D :D :D

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

Fuel Gauge Sensor
 

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-

the 8 has 8 airbags I thought