- My model of MX-5 is: NC1
- I’m based near: __
- I’m looking for technical help or recommendations on: _ Occupancy sensor
Hi all,
I’m installing a bucket seat into the passenger side of my NC1 and I would like to know how others have solved the issue with the occupancy sensor. I know there are emulators available for the ND and NB but I can’t find any for the NC. What have others done to stop the airbag light flashing due to having no occupancy sensor installed? Will a resistor prevent it from coming on, and if so what size?
Thanks
Craig
Check fleabay for model specific
Hi, I have had a really good look on ebay and online for an emulator but they’re all 3 wire and are a different plug to my occupancy sensor. I’m not sure if it’s because my occupancy sensor is an older type? Mine is a tape sensor that is in between the foam and the leather on the seat and it’s a two wire?
Craig
I bought an emulator like that for my NB and the plug is different, I think because of the heated seat.
So I snipped the plug off the emulator and added some spade connectors and then snipped the wires in the car and added spade connectors and joined the two together and it works.
Hi,
That’s probably what I’ll end up doing. It’ll be a bit of trial and error trying to figure out the correct wires but it’s worth a try.
Craig
I looked at the wires under the drivers seat which only has the heated seats to see the colours.
Then I could eliminate those under the passenger seat and work out which were for the occupancy sensor.
My heated seat wires are separate with their own plug. My occupancy sensor is also separate on its own plug that has
two wires (the plug in the photo with red and white wires) , the issue is all of the emulators i can find have 3 wires where my sensor only has 2.
Did you ever resolve this ?
Yes, but it wasn’t ideal. I removed the occupancy sensor from the seat and installed it under the cushioning on the bucket seat and it works fine. I’m just left with a leather seat that has no occupancy sensor now, meaning I can’t sell it.
Ah really, just got buckets delivered, mines an NC 1
Just presumed it’s a 3 wire job but maybe it’s 2 like yours
You may be able to do it with a 3 wire emulator. I didn’t attempt it in the end, as I just started to look at how difficult it would be to remove the sensor from the seat, then before I knew it it was in my hand!
Can I pick your brains ,
My sensor is also two wire , I don’t fancy removing the fabric from my new seat to install the mat from original seat.
Does this sensor only control air bag fitted in seat ?
I’m concerned that if I mod a emulator it may fire dash air bags if I get it wrong.
Alternatively I’ve read I can fit a resistor , again if not correct ohm will it fire dash air bags ?
Hi,
The sensor detects if somebody is sat in the seat, which in turn does affect the airbags. As the airbag will deploy if the sensor detects somebody is sat in the seat and the seatbelt is clipped in. Or, it will not deploy the airbag if somebody is sat in the seat and the seatbelt isn’t clipped in (that’s my understanding at least).
I’m no expert, but I wouldn’t have thought by wiring this particular sensor incorrectly would deploy the airbags. Wiring the airbag sensors incorrectly may though?
From my research, I don’t believe you can install a resistor to prevent the dash light coming on when the occupancy sensor is removed. It has to be an emulator. This is because the emulator allows the dash airbag to work as normal in the event of an accident (if the seatbelt is clipped in).
My original seats had side airbags that used their own connector. So I had to install a resistor once the original seats were removed to prevent the dash light coming on (2 ohm I believe? There’s a few guides online that will confirm). As well as this, for the passenger seat, you need to install an occupancy sensor emulator or the original occupancy sensor (the mat) to prevent the dash light coming on.
Somebody on here must have successfully installed a 3 wire emulator for this particular issue. The problem is trying to find/contact them.
Good luck.
Cheers for the reply
Passenger airbag on mine is also its own connection so a resistor should suffice.
If no joy with occupancy sensor, looks like I’ll be having to do as you did and fit to new seat. 
BEWARE.
Passenger airbag and seat belt tensioner both come on even when no passenger in the seat.
Mine went off at 10mph when I was cut up on the exit of a roundabout and then failed an immediate brake test.
When passenger airbag goes off it punches through the dash AND the windscreen!
As far as the insurance was concerned this effectively wrote off my dear little Niseko. Although it is back in the road as a Cat something.
Would this happen if the airbag was switched off at the key on dash ?
Good question. I don’t know.
I’m not prepared to put it to the test, but yes I usually have that switch set to Off, leaving that bright yellow “Pass airnag off” warning burning the eyeballs when ignition is on…
A passenger always notices it and comments, so no worry about leaving them unprotected.
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Have a read here - they are deleting the seat airbags for racing
https://forum.miata.net/vb/showthread.php?t=614984&page=2
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