Airbag check recommended by Porsche - 4 years???
10-26-2007, 01:39 AM
#17
The purpose of the airbag maintenance is to test the self diagnostics of the airbag control unit. You induce a fault and then check and make sure the airbag control unit sees the problem. A very worth while check no doubt, but its a bit steep at 105 bucks.
10-26-2007, 10:10 AM
#18
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I think they are also running a Fall special on the Air Replacement Service. For $89.99 they will remove the hot Summer air from your tires and replace it with fresh, cool Fall air. That will help your tires maintain their proper pressure since the air inside the tires and the outside air temps will be similar.
10-26-2007, 01:57 PM
#19
Racer
Thread Starter
So this check would be to make sure the fault indicator works? That doesn't prove that the airbags are in proper working order, just that the system would be able to detect the fault they trigger. As mentioned previously, it doesn't seem that you can induce every type of fault that the airbag system could encounter without triggering the airbags. For instance, how will I ever know the impact sensor in the bumper is really working or not, unless I crash into something?
10-26-2007, 02:27 PM
#20
Three Wheelin'
From a liability stand-point, the last thing manufacturer needs is some dumb-*** mechanic trying to simulate a faulty system, and in the process actually creating a faulty one.
But if you insist that there is a air bag maintenance test, I will reveal the secret DIY test that can save you the $105 that a dealer charges to do the exact same test.
1. Turn car on.
2. Observe if air bag light is on.
3. If light is not on, then air bag system is OK.
4. Turn car off.
10-28-2007, 02:41 AM
#22
So this check would be to make sure the fault indicator works? That doesn't prove that the airbags are in proper working order, just that the system would be able to detect the fault they trigger. As mentioned previously, it doesn't seem that you can induce every type of fault that the airbag system could encounter without triggering the airbags. For instance, how will I ever know the impact sensor in the bumper is really working or not, unless I crash into something?
10-28-2007, 03:05 AM
#23
The air bag monitoring circuitry self-tests itself every time the car is turned on. If you check the workshop manuals, you will see that there are no procedures for "inducing" a fault, only to diagnose a detected fault. These systems are completely closed ones, with all diagnostics performed automatically and continuously.
From a liability stand-point, the last thing manufacturer needs is some dumb-*** mechanic trying to simulate a faulty system, and in the process actually creating a faulty one.
But if you insist that there is a air bag maintenance test, I will reveal the secret DIY test that can save you the $105 that a dealer charges to do the exact same test.
1. Turn car on.
2. Observe if air bag light is on.
3. If light is not on, then air bag system is OK.
4. Turn car off.
From a liability stand-point, the last thing manufacturer needs is some dumb-*** mechanic trying to simulate a faulty system, and in the process actually creating a faulty one.
But if you insist that there is a air bag maintenance test, I will reveal the secret DIY test that can save you the $105 that a dealer charges to do the exact same test.
1. Turn car on.
2. Observe if air bag light is on.
3. If light is not on, then air bag system is OK.
4. Turn car off.
Again, you're correct. There is no procedure in the manual for "inducing" a fault. If you need a shop manual to tell you how to safely induce a fault into the airbag system you may need some help with your objective thinking. How about pulling the plug connection under the seat? I think you could trust a "dumb *** mechanic" to unplug a connection. Hell you could probably even trust a PCA member to do that.
10-28-2007, 12:35 PM
#24
Three Wheelin'
All airbag firing circuits are tested at every vehicle startup. If the airbag controller or any other fails, then the DME controller would see the fault at startup when it polls all of the subsystem controllers for their health. If any controller is unable to report its condition or a fault, then the CEL will light, and then it will be up to a human (or a DAM module 
) to find the sick controller. While it is possible that a warning bulb may be burt out, it is a very low probability.
) to find the sick controller. While it is possible that a warning bulb may be burt out, it is a very low probability.
