Hi ,
I've got the infamous ABS/Seatbelt warning lamps in the clock. Does anybody know the replacement part no. or a source for repaired clocks? Thanks, Harpreet

 

Dear Harpreet,
How about doing some troubleshooting first. You are going to need a Bosch hammer to reset the warn lights. How did you come to the conclusion that it was the clock? That is one possibility, but corrosion in the gold contacts on the crash sensors loom is much more common.
Ciao,
Adrian
964C4

 

I had it tested when I bought the car and they scanned it and advised me that it was a clock problem. Since I posted this I went ahead and disassembled the clock as per David Ream's instructions. The solder joints looked good and checked out with the ohm meter. Nevertheless I went ahead and resoldered all of the pins since it was apart. The only bad connection was the single wire that plugs into the clock alongside the multipin connector. I repaired this.

I took the car in two days ago to get a diagnostic and to clear the codes(airbag and seatbelt warning). This morning I disconnected the battery in order to charge it. When I reconnected it the two warnings came back on. When I start the car both lights are illuminated,after 1-2 seconds the airbag light flickers off and then lights back up.
Adrian, I would be open to looking into the possible corroded connectors. Where do I find them and what else would you do . Remember you are dealing with a surgeon and we like to follow an orderly sequence. As always thankyou. Harpreet

PS : My wife is getting me a copy of your book next month as a present---perhaps I won't have to ask so many questions after getting it.

 

HSB:

I have the exact same problem. The PO has several receipts from the dealer for resetting the lights, so this is a long-time problem. I plan to do the clock fix and clean the contacts on the crash sensors. Adrian's book has pictures to show where they are. Behind the trunk carpet on or near the shock towers.

Please update when you get the fix done. I am attempting to locate a KTS 300 or other code reader so that I can read and reset the codes myself. Maybe that is my excuse for not fixing this sooner.

Good luck.

 

Hi Springer3

I recently got the records from the prev. owner and it looks like my light situation has been going on for about a year and a half. I guess I will look for the air bag sensors. Any chance you can take a picture of these( I have not received any of my workshop manals) and put it on a post? Also I thought the only way to clear the codes was with a hammer or pst2 analyzer-- is there a way to do it wthout paying the shop? Thanks Harpreet

 

Adrian,
I think I might have figured out what might have set off my ABS code. As mentioned above the clock was repaired;however, as I was repairing the passenger side blower motor I had disconnected the connectors to the ABS sensors( I had to disconnect in order to remove the firewall) . I temporarily energized the ignition to test the blower motor without recnnecting the ABS sensors. I'll bet that's why the codes were set this time. What do you think? By the way the gold connectors look good. Thanks Harpreet

 

Dear Harpreet,
It gets difficult when we start mixing faults into the same text.

No matter what repairs you do to the airbag system or the clock you need the Hammer to reset each time.

To reset ABS control unit codes you just remove the connector. However if you had fixed the fault it will reset the fault codes itself the next time it tested the system and found no fault.

You have to understand that each of the control units in this story are different and for good reason. One (the airbag) is a safety system and the other (PDAS/ABS) nice to have and they operate to different requirements.

Ciao,
Adrian
964C4

 

Harpreet:

Sorry I did not get to post the pics of the crash sensors, but it appears you found the problem in any case. I have not yet checked mine or done the clock repair yet. I am driving with the ABS lamp burning, and that is both annoying and embarassing.

A real problem with the 964 is the obsolete and not particularly effective diagnostic system. I see no way out but to own the Hammer/KTS 300. One sold on eBay about a year ago for $1300. I thought that was too much, but I wish I had bought it. There has not been one for sale since on eBay or anwhere else.

Baum tools just came out with a code reader that includes the 964 and newer Porsches. Its cost is $3500 by the time you get the cables and software. There is a chap in England working on a Hammer knock off (pun intended). He is talking about selling it for less than $1000. I am not holding my breath.

The Hammer is not something you need for emergency repairs, but it would be extremely useful to fault read codes and reset warning lamps During the major services (every 20,000 - 30,0000 miles) it would be nice to use the diagnostic functions to check injectors, operate the resonance flap, bleed the PDAS and the ABS. I have the factory manuals, but most procedures start with "connect the Bosch ....".

I have been tempted to post a proposal for a group purchase of the Baum code reader, which is a good one except for the price. If we could find 3 or 4 east coast USA participants, we could jointly own the unit and ship to the person in need. I am not sure how to motivate the holder to ship it promptly, but I would certainly agree to ship promptly when requested. Any interest out there?

 

That sounds like an interesting idea;however, it might be hard to ensure it gets shipped promptly when needed, who keeps it, repairs etc.... I once knew a couple of guys who owned a boat together-- they had a hard time coordinating it's use and they were close friends. I hope I don't need to use the scanner that often or I fear I will be forced back to the corvette world. Talk to you later , Harpreet