Airbag dash light on

Hi everyone, around Mudgee we are spoilt for roads to travel down. I drive  a 996 3.4 manual coupe. Unfortunately, last week we were on a particularly bumpy dirt road when my airbag dash light came on. Concerned the (2) airbags are now faulty, I have rung Porsche in Parramatta, Willoughby and Melbourne all who recommend come in and we'll check it out...which equals $$$ Any advice before I go down the dealer plughole?

One approach: Buy one of those cheap code scanner tools that can read and clear air-bag codes. First scan to determine if there is anything else untoward and if it's just the air-bag, clear it and see if it comes back.

Hi P-Kay, thanks for responding. I have a OBD 2reader, but it doesn't 'see' airbag faults. No faults were indicated in the whole car, so I couldn't 'erase' them because they weren't there. Dave

In that case and provided memory serves....disconnecting the battery for at least 40 minutes may and I stress may resolve it Good luck!

I'll give it a go!

No joy I'm afraid. The airbag light stayed on from startup. I'll have to drive to the coast and get it read methinks... Thank you for taking the trouble P-Kay Dave

Just out of interest. If it was a terminal come loose, is it advisable to fiddle with it to see? For some reason I have in my head it has to be a correct procedure to pull these plugs.

Have you tried Pelican Parts Technical forum or Rennlist forum? Paul M

If you have to get it "read", why don't you try ringing one of the bigger Porsche independents BWA, Autohaus, Autowerks etc and see if they can do it for you, is there a Euro mob out your way that can maybe help? I will be talking to a Porsche mech tomorrow, I will be happy to ask if you like.

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Yes that was what I was about to suggest... OBD isn't constrained to Porsche - try any of the more local Euro specialists first.

I had a similar issue and bought the iCarSoft OBDII tool first and then the Durametic Porsche code reader for it and found the error code was P1265 Airbag signal. Trying to track it down was more of a pain and it ended up being the Air Bag Control Module Part No: 966.618.219.01 and got a 2nd hand one from eBay for $199. The fault can be in the airbags units, the control module or the gauge cluster (apparently according to the Bentley manual). First was the airbag in the steering wheel, clean and re-connect, not the issue. The next was module under the center dash and this was unplugged, connections cleaned and refitted. The light went off for a very short time and then came back on first time the car moved. Replaced and no further issues. Lucky I didn;t have to pull the gauge cluster as that can be a full replacement if its the issue. If you like we can work a way out to get the iCarSoft to you read the codes or if you are on the Central Coast of NSW happy to read the car for you here with the Durametic

thanks Guys...I've just read all this advice and appreciate it big time. I've rung Autohaus and the Sydney dealers and all say to bring the car in. Re euro dealers out west they're quite thin on the ground. Orange has a BMW and Audi franchise, so has Bathurst. I'll ring to enquire tomorrow. Thanks for the offer tingy996...yes please and let me know what he suggests. Thanks Paul I'll do some research on those two sites.... If I still haven't solved the problem, and will have to travel east, I will take up your offer 911CSR and head to the central coast. Thanks everyone! Dave

No problem Dave....Just let me know.. Glenn

Might be worth getting yourself a Durametric Porsche code scanner. It can read and clear airbag lights.

Update on my airbag issue. With no help forthcoming from country dealers of euro brands, I decided to bite the bullet and try the Sydney dealers. The closest was Parramatta Porsche but my experience was quite disheartening. The service manager said it would take 4 hours to diagnose the issue and cost between $1000 and $1200 just for that! I would hate to think what the repair would have cost. I then took the car to Autohaus Hamilton. The car has had regular work done there and they know Porsches. Chris their service manager arranged for a diagnosis mentioning it would be either the steering wheel unit or the one behind the dash or the one in the front. As it turned out, the clock spring unit (airbag in steering wheel) was kaput. With no new replacement in Australia, the nearest one was in Germany. Fortunately, they had access to a 2nd hand unit that was fine. Within 2 hours, the whole procedure was done. The part cost $240 with 2 months warranty, and the labour $325. I feel as if I dodged a bullet. I understand mechanical things but not electrics...and those associated with airbags are well beyond my comfort zone. This was one of those times I felt completely comfortable paying for their expertise. I also saved on the hotel in Sydney and could drive back to Mudgee on the same day...eight hours in the saddle with some great roads to boot. Once again, many thanks for your collective advice Dave

good outcome!

Good result!

Well done.  At times it can be the driver's side seat belt reel that causes the code.  See this thread and a story about the dangers of using an ohmmeter on an airbag .... http://911uk.com/viewtopic.php?t=136136&highlight=airbag+light

mate great result...I actually have a brand new spare clock spring down in the garage so if the 2nd hand unit dies let me know...Cheers mate

Same thing recently happened on my 996, telltale that it was the clock spring was the horn stopped working at the same time. I found a good 2nd hand unit on eBay and replaced it myself. As jobs on the 996 go it’s a pretty straightforward one. Unbelievable that you were quoted 4 hours and 1-2k just to diagnose it. Glad you got it sorted for a fraction of that.

Thank you 911CSR for that offer....let's see how my replacement clock spring goes. I viewed the video Merv...very sobering!...glad I didn't try to mess with it unsupervised. Enjoy the long weekend all, but watch the double demerit mania. We drove the 991 through the megalong valley and loved the new lookout on Mt Blackheath (alongside the brilliant Hang-glider launch site)

911CSR can you please share your review of your icarsoft. OBD2 Porsche scanner. Thinking of buying one to do service light resets and check for fault codes. thoughts?

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They are a good basic tool. I bought it when I had my airbag light problem, which it woudl read but not clear even after the module replacement.Thats why I bought the Durametric. If you're looking for a good reader that will cover the majority of what you might need, then its very easy to use and does what is says on the box. If you want something with more functionality, then maybe consider the Durametric.

Thanks, just looking to read fault codes and reset service interval. Trying to avoid things that need laptops. appreciate the advice

Then perfrect for that...