19 captured repliesDiscussion pagination complete · Source accounts, not a confirmed diagnosis
THIS DISCUSSION / SOURCE-DERIVED OVERVIEW
Discussion summary
YOUR RESEARCHAir bag light---
Reported repair
Replace seat belt latch mechanism
Reported resolution
1
Reported fixes
0
Unsuccessful attempts
1
Discussions
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Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that report a fix
1
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0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Reported fix
It recurred after the first reset so I replaced the seat belt latch mechanism which solved the problem.
Leading evidence: 'Replace seat belt latch mechanism' (1 discussions report resolution; 0 report an unsuccessful attempt). Across 1 matching discussions, the most frequently mentioned possible cause is 'known seatbelt latch (drivers side in my case)' (1 discussions; 1 report identifying it and 0 suggest it). The most frequently discussed action is 'Replace seat belt latch mechanism' (1 discussions). For that action, 1 discussions report a resolution and 0 report an unsuccessful attempt. The most frequently reported fix is 'Replace seat belt latch mechanism', supported by resolution reports in 1 discussions. These are forum reports and suggestions, not a confirmed diagnosis.
Source reports, not a diagnosis or a success probability. Counts refer to discussions and can overlap.
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
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1
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Reported cause
It was the known seatbelt latch (drivers side in my case).
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that performed work without a confirmed outcome
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Performed · outcome unconfirmed
When the technician checked the PST2, it again showed fault #45, but this time, the passenger side receptacle was changed.
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that performed work without a confirmed outcome
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Performed · outcome unconfirmed
2) Take the car to an authorized Porsche dealer and have the car checked with the PST2 for faults.
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that performed work without a confirmed outcome
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0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
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Performed · outcome unconfirmed
Instead of getting a new belt I just cleaned all the connections with Dexoit--great tip from a fellow member on renntech--and that was a couple of months ago and no light no problem.
Discussions that performed work without a confirmed outcome
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Performed · outcome unconfirmed
Instead of getting a new belt I just cleaned all the connections with Dexoit--great tip from a fellow member on renntech--and that was a couple of months ago and no light no problem.
Counts describe captured discussions, not unique people or a diagnosis. Author identities are not reliably stored. Exact duplicate evidence is counted once across matching discussions; one discussion counts at most once per action/state. Multiple repairs reported together remain a combination. Suggestions and failed attempts do not establish a fix. Matches cover whole discussions and can include related faults, model variants and incomplete threads.
19 eligible posts · 0 unverified posts · 1 discussions match the subject in their title or opening post.
Rennlist: 1 discussions
0 evidence records excluded for query context · 0 excluded by outcome qualification · 0 adjusted by outcome qualification.
2 acknowledgements have no verified action link; they do not establish a repair result.
Outcome without a verified action link
When I finally spoke with the district service rep, he informed me of a few similar instances where this problem was resolved by enhancing the contact point between the seatbelt receptacles and the frame of the car.
---just came on and I was wondering if anyone has come up with a way to reset it without taking it to a dealer. The nearest one is nearly 200 miles away. They said it may be a short problem in the seat belt buckle/s but has no affect on the operation of the air bags so there isn't a safety issue. My car is a '02 C2.
Thanks-Roger B.
Faced this issue on my Boxster and had to take it into the mechanic (indy) to reset. He said that it cannot be reset on its own. It recurred after the first reset so I replaced the seat belt latch mechanism which solved the problem.
I had a similar problem with my Boxster. I bought the software (and hardware) from Durametric and turned off the light with it. Software is useful to pull the codes when the check engine light comes on as well. I think it costs ~$250.
I just had mine in the dealer last week for a CEL and AIRBAG light. They said the airbag was more than likely a seatbelt issue as they told you. They reset for FREE and so far the light has stayed off.
Rog,
My light came on about 6 months ago. Rode with it for 3 or 4 months after dealer told me it likely is not affecting the actual deployment of the airbag.
Got tired of seeing it and had dealer fix it. It was the known seatbelt latch (drivers side in my case). I think my fix ran about $250+/- which was replacing the seat belt latch with a new one and I guess resetting the light.
RB
There is a TSB for this to replace the connectors for the airbag which are located in your seat belt....I had mine done under warranty and a couple of years later the airbag light comes on. Durametric code reader tells me it's the driver's side seat belt that is faulty. Instead of getting a new belt I just cleaned all the connections with Dexoit--great tip from a fellow member on renntech--and that was a couple of months ago and no light no problem.
Depending on year/model, read the info at this page. I wrote it up many years ago when my (since gone) '99 went through one of the first US problems with this.
The AIRBAG LIGHT saga...
Many Porsche owners have experienced the Airbag Light problem - the airbag light comes on when one starts the vehicle, but instead of vanishing like the other warning lights, it remains on until the car is turned off.
This happened to me, and the story is worth reading by any Porsche owner. It is not intended to reflect negatively on Porsche in any way. I took delivery of my '99 996 Cab in November '98. On day three, the airbag light came on and stayed on. Apparently, this has happened to other owners.
When I took the car to the dealer's service manager, they were aware of a problem with the airbag light, but only had one bulletin on the "fix" for it - change the seatbelt receptacles.
The PST2 (Porsche System Tester) indicated fault #45 - driver's side seatbelt. The service technician carefully replaced the driver's side seatbelt receptacle, reset the fault, and I left without the airbag light remaining on.
About one week later, the light returned. When the technician checked the PST2, it again showed fault #45, but this time, the passenger side receptacle was changed.
A few weeks later, it happened again. By this time I was getting a little angry, and I asked if the dealer "tech line" had any resolution ideas. The only information coming from Porsche was a change in the seatbelt receptacles, and the new ones should be on their way soon. The new parts have a "C" in their part #.
Once the new ones arrived, my dealer replaced both front receptacles with the new ones. About two weeks later, the airbag light came on again. When I finally spoke with the district service rep, he informed me of a few similar instances where this problem was resolved by enhancing the contact point between the seatbelt receptacles and the frame of the car.
On this fourth fix, I had the solder enhancement added. About two days later, the light came back on. In frustration, I posted numerous questions to the various Porsche chat boards. I also began my own effort at contacting other dealers.
In my quest for an answer, another dealer told me that on early VIN# Boxsters there was a bulletin for changing the wiring harness under the seats. I asked my dealer and district service rep about this, and they agreed that it was worth a try.
So, on the fifth try, the dealer pulled both front seats and replaced the wiring harness, soldering in new sections as per the '98 bulletin. To date, there has been no reference to any other failures of this magnitude.
I am glad to report that since the repair, I have put well over 1000 miles on the car and it is still airbag-light-free. It seems like mine was an isolated case, but I know this has happened to others.
If your 1999 Porsche continues to show the airbag light there are some steps you should follow:
1) First be aware that the airbag module is STILL active, even with the light on
2) Take the car to an authorized Porsche dealer and have the car checked with the PST2 for faults.
3) If you get fault #45, ask the dealer to change out both seatbelt receptacles
4) If the problem comes back after seatbelt receptacle replacement, inquire about the wiring harness. Dealer should be aware of the early VIN# Boxster bulletin, but check to be sure. If not, have dealer contact their district service rep or PCNA.
5) Get the wiring harnesses replaced - takes about 30 minutes
6) Replace the Airbag Control Module
You should be fine after these fixes. I post this not to hammer Porsche - they really did work wonders - I had PAG and PCNA involved on this, and they were more than willing to do whatever it took to get it resolved - but I post this only in hopes that it may help other owners.
A huge thanks to Steve Riley (PCNA) and Hendrick Porsche (dealer - Charlotte) for their efforts to get this problem corrected! The TSB in case your dealer can find it, is #692450102.80TU.
UPDATE 2003:
New buckles come as part of an update kit that involves replacement of both buckles and a wire harness modification to individualize the ground signal to both buckles. The new buckles must have a "D" or greater in the part number. The repair takes about two hours and is normally covered by Porsche on all vehicles in or out of warranty
Thanks for the great information. MC_Renn-What disassembly/cleaning process did you go thru to correct your problem? I think I'll try that first.
Thanks again-Roger B.
or you can try electrical contact cleaning first, before spending big $$ at the dealer.
...Then I had an idea. I didn't recall reading any thread here about cleaning the contacts. So, I sprayed both belt buckle recepticles liberally with DeoxIT D5 (using the small red tube to direct the spray), and I elevated only the passenger seat and sprayed all the electrical junctions I could find where wires from the seat belt connected. I'm used to being fussy about electrical contact cleaning for improved sound in my stereo and home theater system (yes it really does make a difference, and yes sometimes you can hear a difference, particularly in the high frequency sounds)....
http://www.renntech.org/forums/index...airbag+contact
Hi Roger:
Just follow the link that PL just posted. You can find Dexoit at stores that sell musical instruments. I just gave a quick spary to the driver's side seat belt and if you look underneath the driver's side seat the airbag module and seat belt connectors are there and I just did a quick spray of the connectors. Let it sit and dry out, clear the code, and start your car and enjoy. Good luck!
Eric, when you mentioned "covered by Porsche" do you mean the dealer does that service for free? I've got a '99 996 and just got the airbag light yesterday; started reading all about this since then.
Can't believe how much annoyance a single light can cause ...
Any luck guys? I was hoping to hear back from you'll before I head out to the dealership this weekend ... would very much appreciate! Wouldn't want to shell out $$$ for a TSB covered by Porsche for free.
There is no way they are going to cover an almost 9 year old car under warranty.
You can try and maybe get a discount on parts or labor but I don't think any dealer is going to pay out of their pocket on a car that old.
My airbag light was due to something in the steering wheel (switch in/near the clockspring?). I wasn't lucky enough to get a seatbelt latch fault
BTW, new seatbelt connectors are $50 each from Sunset.
-td
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