2003 Passsenger airbag activation

I thought I would try the second best reference to answer my concerns, but it wasn't clear from reading my 2003 owner's manual. So, I now defer to the best reference for answering my Porsche questions, you all. Does my Porsche have a switch that activates the passenger airbag at predetermined passenger weights? My 2005 Acura TL has this and, although I don't make it a habit to have my son ride here, he could because the passenger airbag only works for passengers weighing over 100 pounds and he is not there yet. This is a really nice feature and I am hoping that my Porsche has it also, so my 68 pound son could ride in the front at times. I am still learning my car and am enjoying every minute of it. You all at Rennlist have been a large part of it. Thanks again.

No, there is no automatic activate/deactivate. You need a special deactivation kit and dealer programming to odeactivate the airbag.

^ WHAT HE SAID

Is the kit something only available through Porsche dealerships or are there other shops that could do it? And, if other shops could dp this, is it wise straying away from the dealership? Thanks for the info...

\ its only an air bag....................and its well worth it to save a few bucks its only your kids life

Sorry to not be clearer Brad. I am not sure what you meant by your message, as price was never mentioned and smaller kids can be seriously hurt with deployed airbags. Dealerships did not do this for other convertibles that I had considered, yet there were aftermarket locations that did. I would hesitate having a small shop do this and would want someone with a developed positive reputation. Again my concern is for my son and not the airbag, as you suggested. Thanks for the help.

Brad, I just checked and saw that you are a lead tech for Porsche. This tells me that Porsche will add this switch. Am I right in saying this? Thanks.

the dealer can install the deactivation kit that is made by porsche for porsche including the porsche designed child seat . sorry if my post came off harsh i see so many people driving 100K cars trying to save a buck on saftey items tire brakes even airbag problems

I haven't seen any non-Porsche kits but if there are any out there, I'd stay away from them. If you hang around here for a while, you might find someone selling the deativation bar and buckle used. Then you would just need the dealer to program it for you.

Here's a pic of the kit that is installed in my 03 C2 Cab. Bar attaches to front bolts of passenger seat with special longer bolts. Wire plugs into harness under seat. Buckle and receptacle serve as airbag on/off switch. The buckle is normally attached to an official Porsche child seat but I cut it off when my kids outgrew the Porsche seat. Again, you need dealer to re-program car's computer to recognize the bar for it to work properly.

Macho Belly, thanks for the pictures. This is what I will need if I go this route. 99firehawk, I want it done properly and would make sure to do that at whatever it cost. My comments weren't intended to display cheapness, but rather safety. Thanks to all.