Airbag Code 23 (DTC B1996 - 1999)
 

I recently picked up my 2004 RX8 GT (6spd) (around Nov of last year), and for the most part haven't had any real issues except this and a mysterious limp mode). The Airbag light had come on a couple of times in the past, but nothing significant. Now it's on almost all the time. I've been searching online and learned that it's the popular wiring harness issue for the early model RX8s.

I talked with one of the service guys at a local dealer about the code, and said it can be fixed if my car was under warranty (the warranty ended Nov of last year). He was cool about it and printed out the instructions and the part number of the harness so I could fix it myself if I were to decide to do so.

In one of the posts that I searched, there was a mentioning of a "Recall 1604B". Being that my car is technically out of warranty (besides the engine and transmission), is this something I should be able to get Mazda to fix for free? Or do I have to save up and have Mazda bend me over to get this fixed? Parts and labor was quoted as $1K (ouch). :(

Thanks in advance!

As long as your car is in the proper "VIN" range, it should be a freebie.

I don't believe it was a recall. A TSB, those are voluntary.

I would call mazda corp. You didn't hit anything i hope. I bash my whole front end in and need a frame alignment. No airbag depolyed no light either..... I would call mazda IF you didnt hit somthing...

Recall not a TSB:

http://origin-www.nhtsa.gov/portal/s...earSelect=2004

About halfway down the page.

TSB: 08-008/05 (not a recall, aka not free)

2004-2005 RX-8 - AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED - DTC B1994 AND / OR B1998 SET

APPLICABLE MODEL(S)/VINS

2004-2005 RX-8 built before April 15, 2005 with VINs of JM1FE******154081 or lower

DESCRIPTION

Some 2004-2005 RX-8 vehicles may experience an illuminated air bag warning light with one or both of the following DTCs stored in memory.

B1994 - Driver's-side side air bag module circuit resistance high

B1998 - Passenger's-side side air bag module circuit resistance high

This may indicate a poor contact between the terminals and the harness in the side air bag module connector. A revised overlay harness has been developed to repair this issue. This overlay harness will be installed over the existing main harness. Overlay harness installation requires cutting off existing air bag harness connectors and plugging in connectors from overlay harness and routing harness accordingly.

Customers having this concern should have their vehicle repaired using the following repair procedure.


there IS a recall 1604B, but i have never seen an rx8 that had that recall available, i dont think it pertains to these codes (as the recall also includes MPVs), it's wiring harness has a different part number (altho it may be that harness was superceded by the TSB's harness)

if anything call MNAO and get their opinion.

kevin.

Definition of a RECALL:

http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news03/recalls.html

http://autorepair.about.com/library/faqs/bl608h.htm

MNAO can tell you if the recall applies to your car and if it was performed. If it's N/A and/or already applied, you will have to go the route as shown by the TSB.

That's what the description read on the printout the service guy gave me. I had him look up my VIN and check to see if the car has ever been in for this problem, but he didn't see anything listed other than a couple of PCM flash updates.

On one of the search results I found regarding this topic another member here had that recall performed, albeit it was several years ago when the car was still under warranty.

I hope this information from NHTSA will give me some leverage with Mazda to get this taken care of. I would imagine this would be a bad thing for Mazda PR with the potential negative ramifications of this defect/issue.

I'm going to call MNAO and let you guys know what I find.

As always, thanks for all the feedback everyone! :biggthump

i just got my car back last week for this problem. if you have under 60k miles mazda saftey warranty will still cover it. I have 54k on my 05 so it mazda paid the bill. they replaced all the airbags and wires.

My car has about 48K miles on it, though the car was purchased new back in Nov 2003 by the original owner. It unfortunately puts me out of date with the 4 year 60K warranty on safety equipment. :(

I just got off the phone with MNAO Customer Service. According to their records, this recall had already been performed back in 2004. From what the guy said, if the problem lies with a defect in the replacement wire harness or install by the dealer, they would cover it. However if it's deemed that it's due to wear and tear, I have to pocket the entire expense.

So, their recommendation is to have a local dealer diagnose the problem, and have them contact their local field rep about possible taking this on as a "post warranty" good faith sponsorship. :dunno:

Based on how everything was worded, it looks like I may have to end up absorbing the cost on this fix. Though I'm definitely going to push for the "good faith" sponsorship if I can.

Thanks for all the feedback/help guys.

Can you tell me what number you called for MNAO Customer Service? Thanks!

infiniFC: well if thats what MNAO said then most likely it will be covered because it's a fault in the wiring itself nothing that wear and tear would cause....unless somehow you managed to hit the wire with something but thats near impossible.

kevin.

1-800-222-5500 is the number I called per the link listed above.

I do have an aftermarket head unit installed (metra double din kit and Kenwood)... According to the schematics that the TSB contained, it runs in the same area where the stereo wire harness is located.

I'm just worried they'll see that and just claim it was my fault because I replaced the stereo. But we'll see. I set up an appointment for them to take a look see.

I'll let you know what I find out!

Regards,

Sorry to bring up an old thread from the dead, but I finally got my airbag issue taken care of. After having my local Mazda dealer (Fremont, CA) verify the problem per MNAO rep, the field rep looked it over and gave the green light for post warranty work. Once the part came in, it took less than a day for them to complete the repair. :-)

I must add that the dealer experience with Fremont Mazda was great. Brian Nunes the service manager took good care of me, and for anyone in the area looking for warranty/service work by a dealer these guys were great.

Thanks for all who responded to this thread!