Argeo

Hi,
Just bought 2000 boxster s and am working out the bugs. Trying to get airbag light turned off at dealership and told control module is junk. 1200 to fix. Anyone know the part number. I am thinking I can swap in myself and have my friend turn off the light (if that's all it is). Any suggestions?
Thanks, David

Macster

Often times the part number is on the unit.

The local dealer parts department can look up the part number. You need to supply your car's VIN.

The latter method might (might) complicate things. For instance the part number could be different and the new unit might not be a drop in replacement for the OE unit.

For instance, for the early Boxsters the MAF part number changed. The new MAF bolts in but requires a DME program upgrade so the new MAF will work.

In another case I bought a set of new windshield washer nozzles. They are "electric" and require a $75 wiring harness extension (each washer) in order to work.

mikefocke

What diagnostic equipment does your friend have? Just a code reader won't do. Durametric or PST2 or PIWIS will.

And I wonder at the diagnosis as it is one I've never seen in reading many years on many Boxster forums. Seat Belt latch, grounds more likely.

Argeo

The dealership said they could not even communicate with box and supposedly took out and tested. I just bought a durametric tool and a used box. Hopefully it works.

Argeo

I hope the replacement fits, it came out of a 2000 box s.

Macster

Seat belt latches come in for a lot of blame, and rightly so. IIRC there was TSB on these that applied to the earlier models.

But the blame can be on something else.

I don't have my 2002 Boxster back yet but the diagnosis went from a dead short in the wiring behind/inside the dash/instrument cluster to a bad airbag trigger unit. The new unit is on order, should be here Monday. (The thing is coming all the way from Atlanta.)

I get the old one back and will have a tech at the office see if he can pinpoint the problem. (He id'd a problem with my old home DVD player unit the other day, though unfortunately the unit is not repairable.)

Argeo

Swapped in 40 module yesterday, errors all clear, light off. Seems good for the moment. Thanks

Macster

Good for you. The new airbag module (control/trigger unit) did not make the airbag light go out on my car.

This is turning into a bit of a tough problem. There are no error codes, but the light comes back on almost as soon as it is cleared.

The driver side seat belt buckle/latch was found sticking open when the belt was released, and the tech replaced this but the light remains.

The suspicion now is the problem is a short in the instrument cluster wiring. A new cluster unit is (est.) $2500. These can be "rebuilt" for $400.

The tech will remove this Monday but I want to see it before I send it out. If it is just short I think a guy at the office can fix it. All it will cost me is a lunch and he can't eat $400 worth of Happy Meals no matter how hungry he is.

Argeo

40 happy meals would be tough. Best of luck. Wish I had advice for you but I am a newbie again. The only thing I did learn was that durametric tool is worth the $.
David

PelicanParts.com

Glad you fixed the issue! If you need any future DIY help you can check out our Tech Articles and our Tech Forums.

-Luccia

Argeo

Thanks, I used your site on Saturday. Thanks

Argeo

Thanks, I used your site on Saturday. Thanks

PelicanParts.com

Great! Glad we could be of assistance.