Black tape would the simplest fix for the warning light.
Well Iāll try but itās mainly guesswork! Iām not sure if the module that controls the active bonnet only does that one job or if it does anything else. What we do know is that if you disconnect the actuators it shows an alarm if you donāt replace them with resistors to fool it. If it monitors that then itās a good bet that it will also monitor the sensors and will alarm if they are missing or disconnected. Iām not sure if the sensors are fitted to the front bumper or behind it. Pretty sure the bumper for all markets will be supplied bare.
So hereās my solution for our friend in Trinidad. Replace all the physically damaged bits. Bonnet, bumper and hinges. It may actually be possible to repair the hinges by bolting them together as they will not need to move again with the active bonnet feature not in use. Donāt change the control unit. Donāt fit actuators. Then do as saz9961 has suggested and tape up, paint over or remove the warning bulb (or LED) on the dash.
This is as I said guesswork. I would first double check with the authorities that this is legal. Probably the easiest way is to check whether it is legal in Trindad to import and register a US spec Miata which does not have the active bonnet.
I believe I can work with this for now. I can see 2 out of the 6 sensors exposed. Will attempt to take off the bumper today to assess more.
Looking at parts diagrams for eu and us ND front bumpers seems to show that the bumper is supplied bare and the sensors may be attached to a support structure just behind the bumper. I guess I will know more when I remove the bumper.
As for the legal issuesā¦Trinidadās vehicle laws havenāt been updated for years so that technically DRLs are illegal here but no one in authority clamps down on them because they basically come with the vehicle and are useful. Active bonnet systems arenāt looked at by those in authority either so itās not mandatory. I just accepted that the vehicle came from Japan with it but didnāt know much about it until reading the manual.
Thanks for the feedback.
As I understand it (Iāve posted on this previously, earlier in this very thread) on ND model MX5s the Active Bonnet is controlled via the ECU that also looks after the airbag and that would need replacing to clear/reset the warning, whereas the NC has a separate, dedicated control unit.
Hi,
Having been through this whole ordeal myself recently, Iāve got some experience that maybe can be of help. This is accurate to the best of my knowledge so there are no guarantees - i.e. please use this information at your own risk:
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I believe the bumper is the same worldwide. As mentioned in a previous post, it comes bare of everything so I believe a US one would fit a UK/Japan vehicle and vice versa.
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There are however a couple of caveats to the above:
a. The headlights are definately not the same (the beam pattern is different between LHD and RHD) so you either retain your old ones or source ones from a RHD country. Iām not sure if there is any difference in the DRLs - I doubt it.
b. In the US, having āreflectorsā on the side of the bumpers is a requirement. In Europe (not sure about Japan) the space for these refelectors is covered with a blanking plate. If you donāt need or want reflectors in your country, then Iād also buy the blanking plates if I were you and have them sprayed with the bumper so as to ensure a good colour match. The part number for these blanking plates are:Ā N243 50 051 andĀ N243 50 041. An image of these blanking plates can be seen here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/154858454@N03/41417606160/.
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The bonnet will need replacing usually after activation as it gets warped. Again I donāt think there is any difference between LHD and RHD cars. Whatās delivered is just the metal so be sure to keep all the rubber bits and lining from your old bonnet (i.e. the stuff stuck on the inside of the bonnet) to place them on the new one.
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Same applies to the bonnet hinges; theyāll need to be replaced as a shear bolt is sheared when the active bonnet system is actuated.
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On the ND, the system is entirely controlled by the Air Bag / SRS Module / Restraint Control Module (RCM) (all these different names refer to the same thing). In order to get rid of the dashboard light, the module will need replacement. Note that replacing the module is not a simple swap out/in job. The new module needs to be programmed with the previous moduleās data or, at least, with what is called āAS BUILT DATAā (i.e. the original factory programming of the module your car came with). This work requires a professional - ideally done by a Mazda dealer. For those interested, the specific code that canāt be cleared is B1429
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There is one other possible option which is to send the existing module to a 3rd party company and have them re-flash it. An example of such a company is this: https://www.crashdata.co.uk/category-s/2074.htm. N.B. I have never used their service so I canāt vouch for them and neither am I advocating this method. Iām simply mentioning it for completeness. It should work out much cheaper but it would also mean the car is not drivable whilst the module is being reflashed. Youād also need someone to remove and re-install the module for you.
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- Besides the Airbag module, if you intend to replace the Active bonnet system, youāll need:
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2 new actuators. MX-5 Parts has them here: https://www.mx5parts.co.uk/bonnet-actuator-mk4-p-4250.html
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Youāll need the two reinforcement plates the actuators hit. These are metal plates bolted onto the bonnet on the underside (they donāt come with the bonnet). The part numbers for these are N243-52-355 and N243-52-365. Theyāll need to be bolted on (retain the bolts from your old bonnet) and sprayed the same colour as the underside of the bonnet (usually the carās colour but with a matt clear coat finish).
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As for sensors, youāre right there are 6 sensors screwed onto to the inside of the bumper. These are the same sensors as the Airbag ones (i.e. there arenāt specific sensors for the Active Bonnet). How many will need replacing depends on the extent of your damage.
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Finally note that, even if you donāt intend re-installing the system, if you want to get rid of the flashing warning light on the dashboard, besides replacing or re-flashing the airbag module, youāll need to ātrickā the system into thinking that the actuators are successfully installed and not actuated. Otherwise, even with a new Airbag module, the fault would simply re-occur. Youād therefore need something like a ādelete kitā such as this:Ā https://minkara.carview.co.jp/userid/2699540/car/2275637/4846083/3/note.aspx#title (again Iām not endorsing the use of these, simply pointing out their existence).
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I hope this helps 
Joe
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I had the misfortune of bumping into a muntjac deer a few weeks ago. Impact speed was under 30mph and the deer ran off however the MX-5 thought Iād hit a pedestrian so the Active bonnet was triggered 
Off the car went to the insurance body shop and 3 wks later itās fixed and resplendent in my garage. I have a printout of the parts cost which we were charged to the insurance company at standard RRP = Ā£3000.
Defensive driving can anticipate and avoid much but a spaniel-sized deer falling onto a single track road 2m in front of the car is a bit much.
As a consequence, I would suggest considering having protected NCD 
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A NCD is fine, but they just increase your base premium, so you get 50% off double the premium.
Makes a mockery of the NCD with some insurance companies
No Claim Deerš
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