What is airbag fault code 01 ??

Recently bought a durametric to diagnose and turn off my airbag warning light. I expected it to be something like seat belt terminal corrosion or under the seat cables, but the fault code is "01". What the heck does that mean?? Do you guys think it would help to unplug then reattach the airbag module? Here is what it says from the manual:

The problem is: which airbag? What the fault code is telling you is to check the bulb. Since it is on, why not just clear the fault code and see if it comes back?

I already cleared the code and it came right back on.

Update: I am STILL trying to troubleshoot my airbag light which is triggering fault code 01. First, I checked the fuse as specified and replaced it with the spare even though it looked okay. Then I disconnected the airbag module in front of the shifter and sprayed the connections with electrical contact cleaner. Airbag light and fault code was still coming back on every time I reset it with my durametric. So then I bought an inexpensive used airbag module from the same year & model (2002 C2 Cab) thinking that the original module might have an internal defect. Swapped the module and the light/fault code still won't go away. My latest effort was to remove the cluster and spray all of the connections with electrical cleaner. During this process, I also inspected the harness as best as possible, looking for shorts or crimped wires. Although it's pretty tough to see anything as the wiring is bundled in a cloth loom except for the last little section where it enters the plugs. Light/code is still on. Help!! I am totally at wits end with this! Is it possible that the short/defect is actually inside the instrument cluster itself?? Seems like I have tried everything else. Unlike the Mk1 cars, the Mk2's have sealed clusters with LED (I think?) warning lights so there is no airbag bulb/socket available to inspect. I would be beyond appreciative for any suggestions. Thanks!

Did you do #3 yet? Also did you check the continuity from the harness under the passenger seat?

I have had the Airbag fault light on twice in the 996 and once in the Boxster. Replacing/cleaning the seat belt receivers has solved it each time.

^^ Those items have their own fault codes. Fault code 01 is specifically for the idiot light on the dash. System is not throwing any other codes.

Unplug the bulb

Have you checked continuity of the red/yellow wire from the airbag unit (in front of the shifter) to the cluster?

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10-4. My mistake.

I would ask: With the ignition on, does the airbag light come on in the dash? I bet the answer is: No If so, then you have to check the bulb, if that's good, then using the wiring diagrams, check continuity from the control module to the bulb and from positive to the bulb. You'll find the problem in there, shouldn't be hard.

The 3 steps in the repair manual are pretty clear what needs to be done. Until you do all 3 of them and the light still stays on, THEN it's time to ask for additional help.

I did step #1. There is no step #2 in my case as the "bulb" is a permanent LED on MK2 cars. Bulb is lit all the time, both with key turned on & engine running. Regarding step #3, I did visually inspect the wiring leading from the module to cluster but there isn't much to see as it's all loomed. Thanks to Ahsai, I learned that pin #7 is the red/yellow wire so I will check that with a continuity tester as soon as time permits.

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Reply edited: Once you disconnect the connectors of the red/yellow wire from *both* the cluster and airbag control module to isolate it. You can then check for continuity.

^^ Is this safe to do with the battery connected/key on?? Thought you weren't supposed to disconnect anything airbag related with the battery connected?

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I've edited my reply after I checked the wiring diagram again. Before you do anything, you need to disconnect the battery and wait fro 10min. There's something special about this pin 7. If you look at the diagram there's a mechanical bridge inside the plug to connect pin 7 to pin 6 (pin 6 is ground) whenever the airbag module is unplugged (probably a safety feature to avoid airbag deployment if the control module is unplugged). This is also explained in the factory service manual. So with the control module and the cluster side unplugged, you can at best test for continuity of that cable. If everything is working as designed, pin 7 should be already shorted to ground once you unplug the module. airbag.jpg

I can't believe it... CAR IS FIXED! LIGHT IS OFF!! Bought a used cluster on ebay and swapped it in yesterday morning. Cleared the fault code with my durametric and the light/warning has stayed off so the problem was definitely inside the cluster itself. Bad news is that this was an expensive repair. The used cluster was almost $400 and it's going to cost another $150 or so to have the odometer corrected to match my car's mileage. But having the airbag light on was annoying. Besides the round light itself, the center digital display would beep & show "airbag warning" in big red letters every time I started the car, which I had to pull the computer stalk forward to return the display to normal. Oh well... at least the "new" cluster has white (aluminum?) gauges which look awesome.

Glad to hear it's fixed. I might be able to repair your cluster if you want to send it to me. I diagnose and troubleshoot electronics modules pretty often with fair amount of success. The fault you're seeing on this car is a result of a failed POST(power on self test) from the airbag controller. The controller will set the warning lamp on, and then test that there is a specific current flow(very low for LED lamps), or resistance on the indicator circuit before proceeding to the next test in line. In your case, the airbag controller is sensing that the lamp is not lit, or the resistance is out of range and then the big red warning comes on once the POST test has failed that step. More than likely, the airbag system is working fine, but if it can't set the fault indicator, then the controller considers that a failure. If you want to look at it, check the traces on the board, and look at any of the contacts where the lamp module twist-locks into the circuit board. If you take the offending lamp module out, replace the lamp, clean the contacts with a finger nail file you may find it's all better. This is a similar failure mode to those who find that cleaning the seat belt connector fixes their airbag warning issues, because the resistance or current sensed by the airbag circuit changes over time, and eventually goes out of spec. The airbag is a finicky system, and even minor electrical faults will cause it to fail the POST test. That's why one of the posters had you turn the key on and not start the engine, to see if it would pass the POST test(it doesn't). PM me if you want me to work on it, and then you can test in your car and resell or use it and resell the one you bought.

docmirror, did you get any cluster repaired with the issue of the air bag light on, i seem to be having the same issue as some one here had, and swap their cluster and clear the code. I have a 2002 porsche C4S, recently i took the cluster out to work on it, I did not disconnect the battery when i took it out. I fixed the odometer **** that was broken. I recconected the cluster and i can hear a click near the cluster, not sure if it came from the cluster or the radio console. When i turned the car on, i m getting an airbag light on. I connected the durametric to reset the air bag fault code. The code is 1: Airbag warning light. Part number 996.618.219.01, that is the air bag module. I changed it, and the air bag light is still on. I can't seem to reset it. Not sure if the cluster went bad on me, or is there another solution for anyone that has gone thru this already. thanks for you help.

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docmirror, did you get any cluster repaired with the issue of the air bag light on, i seem to be having the same issue as some one here had, and swap their cluster and clear the code. I have a 2002 porsche C4S, recently i took the cluster out to work on it, I did not disconnect the battery when i took it out. I fixed the odometer **** that was broken. I recconected the cluster and i can hear a click near the cluster, not sure if it came from the cluster or the radio console. When i turned the car on, i m getting an airbag light on. I connected the durametric to reset the air bag fault code. The code is 1: Airbag warning light. Part number 996.618.219.01, that is the air bag module. I changed it, and the air bag light is still on. I can't seem to reset it. Not sure if the cluster went bad on me, or is there another solution for anyone that has gone thru this already. thanks for you help.

@Alxme you probably don"t realize it but you revived an 8 year old thread. docmirror is a great dude but has not been on here in a long while..

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sorry, hope all is well with him, I was trying my luck and see any guidance on my issue.

I’m having the same issue. Fault does not clear and only code is "Fault 01 - airbag warning light". I’ve done step #1, but I haven’t pulled the connectors from the module and cluster to test continuity yet - this weekend was spent getting the ABS, brake pad and seat belt warning lights sorted... Airbag is last one left! I plan to test continuity next weekend and really hope I can find a fix instead of just replacing the airbag module or the whole cluster. It sounds like @cable 's problem must have been inside the cluster. If anyone else has any insights on where the issue was for them, how it was fixed, or if it turned out to be something else eg. clockspring - I'd love to hear your input!