How To: 2004-2009 Shock Sensor Upgrade

[cwp_sedan]

Shock Sensor Upgrade
You must have the factory Anti-theft system to be able to add the shock sensor (GT models only)

Approximate time required for installation:
- 45 min or less

Tools needed:
- pliers
- shock sensor install kit from Mazda (part # 0000-8F-K01A or 0000-8F-K01A-CA)
(In kit but missing from picture - 2 zip ties)




1. Remove the passenger side door sill by carefully pulling upward.



2. Remove the pushpin on the passenger side kick panel.



3. To remove the passenger side kick panel, carefully pull it towards the rear of the vehicle.



4. Remove the electrical tape on the main harness to expose the bundle of wires.
Separate the bundle of wires to access the appropriate wires for installation.



5. Locate the Black and Red wire for the diode jumper installation.
Be aware that there is also a BROWN & RED wire that looks very similar. DO NOT USE CONFUSE THE TWO.



6. Cut the Black/Red wire approximately 2 inches down from the main harness wrapping.



7. Pre-assemble the diode jumper as shown. For ease of installation make sure the Brown Diode wire
is in the pass through side of the connector, and the molded stops are used on the brown wires.



8. Install the Brown Diode wire (side w/o label) to the lower cut end of the Black/Red wire.
Next install the label end to the top side of the cut Black/Red wire.



9. Locate the following 3 wires in the OEM harness.

Red


Orange with Yellow stripe - Make sure it is a yellow stripe. In some cases the yellow has faded and almost looked white.


Black



10. Attach a red T-Tap to each as shown.



11. Attach a red T-Tap to the Black/Red wire, just above the connector from the Brown diode wire (with the label).



12. Attach the shock sensor harness to the T-Taps.

Shock Sensor Vehicle Wire
Red ............................... Red
Orange ........................... Orange/Yellow stripe
Brown ............................ Brown diode wire
Black ............................. Black




13. Use one tie wrap to secure the shock sensor to the OEM harness above the blue connector.
Note the LED should be facing the harness with the white knob facing rearward, to allow adjustment.
The unit will be upside down, but this will not effect performance.



14. Use the second tie wrap or electrical tape to neatly capture all the loose wires from the shock sensor harness and the OEM harness. Adjust the sensitivity before reassembling the kick panel. (SEE: SETTING SENSITIVITY BELOW)


15. Reinstall the kick panel and door sill.


__________________________________________________ ______________________________________


SETTING SENSITIVITY (AS PER MAZDA)

Shock sensor is factory pre-set to be at minimum sensitivity. In order for the sensor to be effective sensitivity level MUST be checked after installation. To adjust sensitivity, use the following procedure:



A. Verify that the shock sensor’s adjustment knob is turned completely to the clockwise position (Maximum sensitivity).

B. Close all doors, hood and trunk. Arm security system using the keyless entry transmitter by pressing LOCK.
NOTE: A KEY MUST NOT BE IN THE IGNITION OR THE SECURITY SYSTEM WILL NOT ARM.

C. Strike the windshield and/or side glass firmly with the palm of your hand. The horn should sound as follows:

LIGHT IMPACT........HORN SHOULD NOT SOUND (! VERY IMPORTANT !)
HEAVY IMPACT.......SECURITY SYSTEM WILL BE TRIGGERED AND HORN WILL SOUND
DISARM BY PRESSING UNLOCK ON KEYLESS ENTRY TRANSMITTER.

NOTE: IF THE SECURITY SYSTEM IS TRIGGERED BY A GENTLE STRIKE OR THE HORN DOES NOT SOUND AT ALL. PROCEED TO STEP D.

D. Adjust sensitivity by turning the small knob on the side of the shock sensor.
REPEAT STEPS B & C UNTIL DESIRED LEVEL OF SENSITIVITY IS ACHIEVED.
If the horn sounds but does not sound after 2nd or 3rd test, then the diode is backwards or the wire tap connected to the diode assembly (from the shock sensor) is on the wrong side of the diode. IF THIS OCCURS THE SHOCK SENSOR MUST BE REPLACED AFTER CORRECTING THE CONNECTION(S).

E. To avoid any false triggers, a final test of the shock sensor should be performed by the following test while the system is armed. A light impact should NOT trigger the alarm system. If this happens, a false trigger will occur in the field and the system should be re-adjusted.

*Drop a tennis ball from 1 meter above the windshield.
*If the system triggers, it must be turned down and retested.

Just a comment from me...
A tennis ball never touched my car during this whole process and I wouldn't recommend it either. The palm of your hand works just fine.

[M3!]

Great write up, were you able to just pick up the parts from the dealership? They allowed you to install it yourself? I'm surprised.

[yearoftherat]

Great write up !!! Moderators should sticky this walk-through

[cwp_sedan]

Great write up, were you able to just pick up the parts from the dealership? They allowed you to install it yourself? I'm surprised.

Well I had to pay for the sensor and yes you can just buy it at the dealers. I was not going to pay them $100+ for something so easy to install. If it was covered under the recall then I would have had them do it.

[Gizzmo_jr]

Nicely done, good to see a colour version

[Noisy Crow]

Great write-up! Sticky, sticky, sticky!

Great write up, were you able to just pick up the parts from the dealership? They allowed you to install it yourself? I'm surprised.

Another option for buying a sensor: cwp sedan found what appears to be the same unit on eBay:
http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/sh...&postcount=308

I have ordered one of them, and will share the results. The install will be slightly more complicated as I will need to fabricate the diode jumper myself and buy the connectors separately.

[M3!]

Well I had to pay for the sensor and yes you can just buy it at the dealers. I was not going to pay them $100+ for something so easy to install. If it was covered under the recall then I would have had them do it.

I thought it was covered by the recall. From my understanding they would either reimburse you $100 if you had an aftermarket upgrade, or they would just do it for you for free.

[cwp_sedan]

I thought it was covered by the recall. From my understanding they would either reimburse you $100 if you had an aftermarket upgrade, or they would just do it for you for free.

Only those who are eligible. My 2007 is not because it already had the recall done at the factory.

[yearoftherat]

Question: Since we're dealing with electrical stuff....do you have to disconnect the battery BEFORE you do the install ??

[cwp_sedan]

Question: Since we're dealing with electrical stuff....do you have to disconnect the battery BEFORE you do the install ??

I would agree with you that it would be a good idea. No where in the install manual does it say to disconnect the battery. There is almost no chance of you ever messing the electrical up though since you are just using t-taps.

I would suggest anyone who feels they should disconnect the battery to do so. I didn't and would continue not to.

[MattC]

If you don't disconnect the battery, and your wire touches metal, you can pop a fuse or something, or atleast throw some sparks, so it is always safest to disconnect the battery when cutting/splicing wires.

[cwp_sedan]

If you don't disconnect the battery, and your wire touches metal, you can pop a fuse or something, or atleast throw some sparks, so it is always safest to disconnect the battery when cutting/splicing wires.

Again +1 on the suggestion to whoever wants to go this route. The great thing about this install is that there are never any bare wires. The t-taps make this so painless a child could do it.

[Jeff-TheBiz]

I thought it was covered by the recall. From my understanding they would either reimburse you $100 if you had an aftermarket upgrade, or they would just do it for you for free.

Any discussion on the recall can be found here.

Please keep on topic in the right thread.

for a great DIY writeup.

[WeatherB]

How do I know if I have the factory anti-theft system? Mine only have the keyless.

[Skarbro]

Nice write-up!

[cwp_sedan]

How do I know if I have the factory anti-theft system? Mine only have the keyless.

You must have a GT model

Nice write-up!

Thanks. I appreciate your help with the clarification of the install.

[Skarbro]

Incidentally, you might want to add that on my car the yellow on the orange and yellow wire looks closer to white. I'm sure that might confuse some people who have the same weird wire.

[cwp_sedan]

Incidentally, you might want to add that on my car the yellow on the orange and yellow wire looks closer to white. I'm sure that might confuse some people who have the same weird wire.

Fixed!

[cwp_sedan]

For testing the sensitivity, I would suggest pulling the wiper up off the windshield and then letting it go. I accidentally set off the alarm this morning when I was lifting the wipers up for the day (snow storm). I let one go and it hit the windshield and the impact was enough to set off the alarm.

I'm going to have to start alarming it after I am away from the car lol.

[x_o_k_x]

For testing the sensitivity, I would suggest pulling the wiper up off the windshield and then letting it go. I accidentally set off the alarm this morning when I was lifting the wipers up for the day (snow storm). I let one go and it hit the windshield and the impact was enough to set off the alarm.

I'm going to have to start alarming it after I am away from the car lol.

I called the Mazda dealer with the $100 rebate on shock sensor. And The guy told me that you dont need it, that reinforcment works well and that shock censor is very sensitive to winds. Is that true?

[Skarbro]

I called the Mazda dealer with the $100 rebate on shock sensor. And The guy told me that you dont need it, that reinforcment works well and that shock censor is very sensitive to winds. Is that true?

Sounds like that dealer is trying to weasel out of installing it for you.

The sensor is adjustable. So if it is too "sensitive to winds" then you can turn the sensitivity down.

Get it. The reinforcement (countermeasure) does not trigger your alarm when someone attempts to break your glass.

[cwp_sedan]

Sounds like that dealer is trying to weasel out of installing it for you.

The sensor is adjustable. So if it is too "sensitive to winds" then you can turn the sensitivity down.

Get it. The reinforcement (countermeasure) does not trigger your alarm when someone attempts to break your glass.

+1000

[ramboh]

Thanks for a great writeup. I followed it and it was a breeze to install the shock sensor. One thing I did have trouble with was my mazdaspeed 3's front step plate seems to be very difficult to remove. I ended up just pulling the harness plate cover out with the step plate still in place.

Thanks again for a great writeup, it definitely helped me!

[ramboh]

Oh, also, thanks to Joe at MoT for the shock sensor. I also had MoT take a look at some squeeks and creeks on my car and I think they took care of the cowl shake. I highly recommend Jeff, Joe and Vincent at MoT. They are great guys to deal with.

[WeatherB]

Got my sensor from Joe and followed the instructions in this thread, worked like a charm.

Only thing, make sure the wires are really tucked in there. I had a hard time getting the panel clip back in because of the t-taps.