H2

Does anyone know of one of the later model 968s/944s having an airbag deploy in a crash? That is, I'm just wondering if mine is still functional (without actually whacking something to find out). Anyone know how the airbag activation sensor works or where it's located? Is this a replaceable part of should I just "hope" that the airbag in my '95 968 still works?

Harvey

Steve PH

There is only one way to find out for certain.....

sillbeer

they usually dont stop working. its a simple circuit. unless there is a fuse thats blown...and actually, i think the air bag ecu has a capacitor that stores enough energy in case the battery is cut off during the impact...

Royalty

I'm wiht you. lets see if he posts pics of his results LOL

Porsche-O-Phile

Well, if he doesn't, we know the answer, don't we?

jmporsche944

J Berk

Had a fraternity brother in college who's dad was an Elect. Engineer working in management for the company that developed the first airbag systems ( clients at that time were ford and jaguar...before they were one and the same!) I remember him bringing one of their current ( circa 1986) sensor/inflator systems to show us ( we were all engineering majors)...and I think I remember it being a very simple system. I guess my question would really be about the life of the bag itself and the tiny cylinder of compressed gas that actually blows it up. I think the sensor would be fine.

RI Fast Eddie

Well I have had two different 89 S2s that the air bag computer crapped out on. Each time the warning light came on and several mechanics I took the car too could not diagnois the problem (charged me enough though for all there guesses). I don't know if it is just coincidence or if there are problems with the 89 air bag systems but on both my cars I had the bag disconnected.

Dal Heger

It's not compressed gas that inflates the airbag, it's an explosive chemical reaction. The airbag computer does a self test each time you start your car. If it doesn't keep the airbag light on after the initial self test, then your system is fine. The airbag material won't degrade, the chemicals that fill the airbag are inert until they are triggered. The important contacts are gold, they don't corrode. The system does a self test each time the car is started.

Dal.

Royalty

and what does it do if the bag isnt functioning correctly?
I have an 84, porsche thought my model was too cool for airbags, LOL

J Berk

Dal

You're correct...I assume what I remember must be whatever held this little chemical reaction and ignitor...anyway this is the guy my buddy's dad worked for:

http://web.mit.edu/invent/iow/breed.html

And here's more detail for anyone interested on how an airbag works:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Airbag#Airbag_design

Matt H

It triggers the dash light if any part of the system is not functioning, it also turns the system off (if my memory serves).
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Legoland951

One of my friends in the past (Steve R. who makes the chips) drove his highly modified 951 on the track and the airbag went off under hard braking without any kind of collision.

944J

I read that the 86' cars were safer because of aluminim engine parts so they didn't have airbags to save weight. (faster too)

Legoland951

aluminum engine comes with all 944 951 and 968s