Dan Brock

Hey guys,

I have a 928 GT that was in an accident a couple years ago that deployed the airbags.

I recently was able to get replacement parts including:

- new 928 steering wheel with airbag
- passenger airbag and airbag cover
- 2 impact sensors ( I think they go in the footwells )

I talked to Porsche and they quoted me at $2500 to get it all re-installed. I think I want to do it myself instead.

The question is, where do I start?

If the car was in a crash before, do I also need to get a new airbag system computer (or just get it re-programmed)? Are there any other parts that I might need that aren't listed
above? Any good guides you can recommend me to start with?

I really appreciate anything you can tell me.

Thanks a lot!

Dan

Imo000

Most cars from that era had to have the air bag module/computer replaced once an airbag was deployed. Shouldn't be too difficult to find one used. I had to replace it on a '91 Miata that had a popped airbag.

danglerb

If the bags deployed did insurance total the car?

I would leave them out or have a pro do the work. If they fail at some point in the future the liability could be huge.

17prospective buyer

Who trusts airbag systems that old to begin with? Take the damn things out. Who cares?

Mrmerlin

there is usually a warning on the airbag system that the bags should be replaced at 15 Years Old

Dan Brock

So would you guys agree that getting the airbag system restored isn't really worth the $2500 Porsche wants to do it?

kmascotto

Wow! I'm glad mine never had them!

soontobered84

There is a company in Allen, Texas that does nothing but rebuild/repair/fix airbag computers. Mine was $50 plus return postage to repair. You can Google it. They supply a postage label that can be printed and affixed to your package to be repaired.

No affiliation except a previous happy customer that did not have to buy a new airbag controller for $2800

SeanR

Personally, if it were my car, I'd just put a good steering wheel and air bag cover on and not worry about the airbags or the system. But that is just me.

jeff spahn

I'll chime in FWIW in the airbag arena. I'd most likely be dead or at least terminally sleepy if it weren't for the airbags in my 90 Honda Civic Si. Was going 55 when someone hit me head on. Walked away with a small bruise on shoulder and slight scuff on nose plus some minor glass cuts on arm. Just my .02

docmirror

I used to work on the design of the gen I airbag, which is what we have in the 928. Actually, to pick a nit it is a gen I-a airbag system. They are dead reliable, and very good at saving lives. If your car came with an airbag, it should have an airbag, that's the bottom line.

Airbags have been test fired from > 20 years old and no loss of charge. The issue with older bags is the ignition pill, not the propellant. The propellant is very, very stable. The ignition pills are not as robust. If you get a fault on the airbag system, it will be one of four typical error codes. First two codes are for the sensor resistance left, or right. These are trivial and they can be repaired by cleaning the contacts on the sensors, as well as the connector on the airbag module mounted in front of the glove box.

The next error codes are for the ignition pill firing voltage out of spec. If you get those, that's about it, you'll need to replace the ignition pill(s).

As for installing a replacement setup, it can be done by a modestly skilled DIY person. You will need to remove the controller(send it to the shop in Allen TX for testing to be sure), by grinding out the anti-tamper nuts in the chassis that hold the controller. You can then install the new airbag controller, and connect the three connectors with the safety bails. Next, move on to the sensors. They are up in the footwells, below the A pillar, mounted to the side wall. They are small cylinders with a pigtail 3 prong cable with rubber boot around them. Replace both of those after cleaning the contacts inside. Be very careful when handling the sensors. It doesn't take a lot to set them off. If they've been mishandled during removal or storage, it's possible they may already be used, and cannot be reused.

Finally, the airbag modules in the wheel along with the ignition pill(firing circuit) cable. Have the batt disconnected, and wait for 30 minutes. The bags come out pretty easy by following the book procedure. Replacement is straightforward, but make sure you ground the airbag module to the chassis before connecting the ignition pill wire just to be extra safe.

Now you're done with all the mech bits, and you'll almost certainly need the Bosch hammer to reset the airbag system and run the tests. Once you run the POST test and it passes you are good to go.

Tazzieman

I once took a Landcruiser in after 10 years , the stated time to have it checked according to the label. The visual response was "guppy fish at feeding time"; they said no-one had ever asked about this and they would ring head office. Head office could not offer any further advice. I was told if the car hadn't been frontally damaged at any stage in the past I'd "be good to go mate".

So that's from the horse's ,er guppy fish's , mouth , FWIW