Help with cops? Help me prove I never had an airbag!
 

Hey guys,

5 years of blood, tears, love and heartache are in jeopardy. I was pulled over last week in my 1993 Type-R JDM FD for not having a front plate (stupid me, I know) and the cop decided to "give me the business" with a large ticket (including "no airbag") as well as a full "Notice and Order". This means that my FD will have to pass a full safety inspection.

Most of the stuff is pretty basic, and shouldn't be an issue (DOT lenses, daytime running lights, proper exhaust, horn, lights, etc.) however the inspection order stipulates that it must have a functioning airbag. The car currently has the Momo wheel that was on it when I first bought it and so, obviously it doesn't have an airbag, and I don't know if it ever did. The cops (and the inspection facility) have stipulated that if the car came with an airbag from factory, it is illegal to remove it, and I must have one re-installed by Mazda. They have also claimed that all North American FDs had airbags, and as such, mine probably did too. However, being JDM, that may not necessarily be the case.

I haven't been able to find any evidence of the wiring, sensors or modules for the airbag, which leads me to believe that my car never had one. Then again, the steering wheel, bumper and most of the wiring have all been changed, so I can't know for certain.

I have read some comments on a few different threads that some of the early model JDM FDs didn't have airbags, but what I need is concrete evidence. Does anyone out there have any proof? Production numbers, pamphlets, ads, anything that shows that airbags weren't standard on all models. Anything would help.

Also, if anyone can confirm whether airbags were standard on all North American FDs, that would be really appreciated as well.

Thanks everyone! If I don't get this resolved by next wednesday, then my car might be taken off the road forever. Please help me stop that from happening!

Um, why not just install an OEM wheel with airbag? How will they know if it's functioning..... set it off?

Man canada has been hard lately

I wish it was that easy...

The dealership specifically told me that they will be looking for the sensor and control module. Everyone seems to be being extra dickish about right hand drives lately...

Haha, I think this is just more of the same bitching you've been reading on Facebook.

-Devan

1993 Type R will have the Efini steering wheel with no airbag. The 93 Type X came with the same airbag steering wheel as USDM. You don't have to swap the wheel or buy airbag sensors. Do a quick search on google for specs

I think I've still got all the airbag sensors and wiring I pulled off my car. Just attach and route it in the factory spots, who cars if its all plugged in together at least it will look the part. Also, you should be able to find an orange and blue connectors sitting either on your passenger side near the firewall either under the fender or. Dangling in the bay, or inside the drivers footwell near the fuse box

Find a JDM factory wheel that has no airbag
Install that

Voila - proof that the car was available from the factory in Japan with no airbag

^Then they'll argue that it's not an OEM wheel I'll bet.

I remember reading that the cop cannot give you a ticket for no airbag. Its not illegal to remove it or not have it. Just go and dispute the ticket and get yourself a steering wheel with airbag. Save your life.

First, know your laws in your area. In the USA, it's legal to remove an airbag on a car which was manufactured prior to airbags being required. You need to know what's legal in your area. It's possible you may have a similar requirement as the USA in which you could get that ticket dismissed.

Next, if you plan to go down proving that an airbag was not OEM equipment for your car, you are going to need something other than an internet forum for proof. I would recommend looking for sales brochures or maybe even contacting Mazda to see what they can provide. You'll have to prove two things:

* There was one or more models produced which did not come with an airbag
* The model you have is one of those models which did not have an airbag as standard

93 efini wheel has no airbag. i have one.

also at least here.. its up to the owners digression if they disable the airbag or not; especially first gen airbags that did more harm than good. might want to look in to either option. plenty of research material online showing the factory efini wheel sans airbag.

this is what the parts catalog is telling me also

I have a 1993 JDM import here in sweden and it didnt come with an airbag. however i did put in a OEM nardi wheel with an airbag but didnt plug it in.

so i can guarantee that the JDM were available without an airbag.

1993 Japanese Domestic Market RX-7s did not come equipped with the airbag. They used an Efini type steering wheel which did not include the airbag incorporated in the centre.

My 1992 Japanese Right Hand Drive car did not come equipped with driver's airbag either.

Let the authorities know that, and get some hard evidence to back it up, print it out and show them. Have a Mazda dealership sign/stamp and date the printed evidence.

I did it this way when I got pulled over for having "tinted dark aftermarket tail lights" and the cop tried to defect me for them. I scanned the description of them out of the service manual, took it to the Mazda dealership and had them sign it as correct information. The police then dropped the issue. I keep the paperwork in the glovebox for any future hassles :)

You might consider contacting an attorney to find out exactly what the law is. It could be that the burden of proof is on them to prove the car came with an airbag. They may be overstepping their authority, and you don't know it.

BC is really bad about RHD cars,

AB isn't as bad (though finding insurance is another story). I've only been pulled over by a cop once in my RX7 and he wanted to know what it was, had a hard time believing that it was a mazda from 97.

Mine never had one, passed out of province inspection with the aftermarket wheel in it.

No airbag harnesses, sensors, ecu, nothing of the sort in the car.

They are harsh on RHD cars because it hurts their used car market.

you need to know the year of your FD... mine was built in 92, (its a type R) it never had a airbag... or Supplemental restraint system (SRS)

get your vin number, find an online decoder, find its build date and that will tell you if if should have one or not..


or move to Alberta, less bull shit with some small minded power tripping bc cop...


.

FYI in any traffic law. the burden of proof is always on the owner of the car. You have to prove to them you are in compliance.
Show the justice of the peace or police officer a brochure from the year of your car. I have a JDM brochure that shows the FD didn't come with an airbag and it was an option.

From what i remember as a kid growing up there.....most cops in BC can be troublesome. I came across one of the many roadblocks in place in vancouver after they reduced the drinking limit to .005.

At that stop the cop bragged to me that he didn't need a warrant nor probable cause to search my vehicle which was my daughters Turbo II. I didnt have a problem with him searching my car but he took issue with an american driving a canadian tagged car. I assume he was trying to show off to the unsuspecting american!