I have a 1999 Miata, purchased used. Other than activating them, is there a way to insure that the airbags are in fact in their storage units, and that they work properly?

 

do you have an airbag light? are there any tears in the steering wheel? are there any codes at all? those are the only ways to tell without taking anything apart or popping them.

 

Light functions properly (or at least what I think is proper), no codes, no tears in steering wheel. My youngest daughter drives this so I want to be sure. Would a dealer be able to tell the next time I bring it in for service? Thanks.

 

yeah, but they will do about the same checks that i just told you. as long the ecu is functioning properly, it will give you an airbag light if something is wrong. when the airbag is deployed, it tears the steering wheel at breaking points where they won't go back together. if the bag has been removed, it will leave an open circuit that will cause a warning light.

 

Thanks for the info.