Mazda Repair: 1992 Miata Air Bag Diagnostic Unit, static electricity, diagnostic unit

Question
I have the 10 blinks of the air bag unit. When I quizzed the dealer about labor costs to replace the airbag diagnostice unit they said some 1992 Miatas had the unit above the steering wheel requiring removal of the dash ($816.48 labor) and some had the unit behind some panels ($196.48 labor) ... have you run into this before and what panels ...

Thanks Much,

John

Answer
No, all 90-94 models had the Air Bag Diagnostic Modules under the dash above the column.  New models switched to a solid state one part unit which is under the dash (center dash) and those require dash removal to access.

Look under your dash at the column.  You'll see two light blue boxes, those are the ADM parts.  The smaller one is the battery back up the larger is the actual ADM.

Mazda part number NA01677F0A $183.33

The battery back up is no longer available thought the system works without it.

Use caution, accidental deployment is possible.  The battery backup and the cars battery must be disconnected.  Use of a grounding strap is required to control static electricity.