Airbag check recommended by Porsche - 4 years???
10-25-2007, 11:18 AM
#1
Racer
Thread Starter
Airbag check recommended by Porsche - 4 years???
So I am scheduling a service for an oil pressure failure code that just came on today. I'm also having a brake fluid flush and tech inspection for an upcoming DE.
As part of the service, my dealer service tech is recommending that I have a $105 "Air Bag Check". He says they send a false air bag deployment signal to the unit after disabling the airbags themselves to make sure the system works. He claims that Porsche recommends this every four years.
I call BS on this as I believe it is every 10 years, but figured I'd check with the experts here on Rennlist for confirmation.
As part of the service, my dealer service tech is recommending that I have a $105 "Air Bag Check". He says they send a false air bag deployment signal to the unit after disabling the airbags themselves to make sure the system works. He claims that Porsche recommends this every four years.
I call BS on this as I believe it is every 10 years, but figured I'd check with the experts here on Rennlist for confirmation.
10-25-2007, 11:37 AM
#2
Burning Brakes
So I am scheduling a service for an oil pressure failure code that just came on today. I'm also having a brake fluid flush and tech inspection for an upcoming DE.
As part of the service, my dealer service tech is recommending that I have a $105 "Air Bag Check". He says they send a false air bag deployment signal to the unit after disabling the airbags themselves to make sure the system works. He claims that Porsche recommends this every four years.
I call BS on this as I believe it is every 10 years, but figured I'd check with the experts here on Rennlist for confirmation.
As part of the service, my dealer service tech is recommending that I have a $105 "Air Bag Check". He says they send a false air bag deployment signal to the unit after disabling the airbags themselves to make sure the system works. He claims that Porsche recommends this every four years.
I call BS on this as I believe it is every 10 years, but figured I'd check with the experts here on Rennlist for confirmation.
From my MY03 Owners Manual:
Airbag maintenance
In order to ensure long-term functioning, the airbag
system must be inspected by an authorized
Porsche dealer after 4, 8 and 10 years from the
date of manufacture shown on the safety compliance
sticker, and every 2 years thereafter.
10-25-2007, 11:49 AM
#3
Racer
Thread Starter
Thanks for checking this! I'll be darned - I thought this was a creative service that they just made up, unless Porsche is doing this to help the dealers make money on 4, 8 and 10 year old cars.
Or maybe I'm just too cynical.
Or maybe I'm just too cynical.
10-25-2007, 12:47 PM
#4
I'm not sure what kind of signal they can send to an airbag system to test it. The sensors can not be tested without sending a long duration pulse of energy to them. Airbag igniters can not be tested, well I suppose you could look for an open in there, but they don't do that for fear they will ignite. You could test the electronics but that still leaves two other items unkown, the impact sensor and the ignitors in the airbag module.
I guess it is some sense of security to have the system tested.
I guess it is some sense of security to have the system tested.
10-25-2007, 03:47 PM
#6
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10-25-2007, 04:10 PM
#8
Burning Brakes
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Hendrick Porsche I guess... they seem to always push this. I posted the same msg a while ago, when they were suggesting this to me. At that time the experts on the board decided this service was not necessary
Following my post:
https://rennlist.com/forums/996-forum/366445-need-some-quick-advice.html
Following my post:
https://rennlist.com/forums/996-forum/366445-need-some-quick-advice.html
10-25-2007, 04:26 PM
#9
Three Wheelin'
So to add to the discussion
I am looking at the 996 workshop manual in the Diagnostics/troubleshooting section 0 (69-01)
And it looks like the only time that one would actually test the airbag firing circuits is if the airbag fault warning light is on, or if the bags were deployed, and new bags are installed.
It sounds to me that you are paying $105 for someone to hook up a system tester to verify that there are no faults in the airbag subsystem. Of course you could do that yourself by verifying that the airbag fault light is not on.
The 4, 8, 10 yr. inspection is primarily a physical one to make sure the wiring is in good shape, and the bag and its enclosures are not compromised.
I would advise that if the airbag warning light has never been on, that you are just fine, and can save the $105, unless your dealer also tests your muffler bearings for the same price.
And it looks like the only time that one would actually test the airbag firing circuits is if the airbag fault warning light is on, or if the bags were deployed, and new bags are installed.
It sounds to me that you are paying $105 for someone to hook up a system tester to verify that there are no faults in the airbag subsystem. Of course you could do that yourself by verifying that the airbag fault light is not on.
The 4, 8, 10 yr. inspection is primarily a physical one to make sure the wiring is in good shape, and the bag and its enclosures are not compromised.
I would advise that if the airbag warning light has never been on, that you are just fine, and can save the $105, unless your dealer also tests your muffler bearings for the same price.
10-25-2007, 05:19 PM
#10
Race Car
I am looking at the 996 workshop manual in the Diagnostics/troubleshooting section 0 (69-01)
And it looks like the only time that one would actually test the airbag firing circuits is if the airbag fault warning light is on, or if the bags were deployed, and new bags are installed.
It sounds to me that you are paying $105 for someone to hook up a system tester to verify that there are no faults in the airbag subsystem. Of course you could do that yourself by verifying that the airbag fault light is not on.
The 4, 8, 10 yr. inspection is primarily a physical one to make sure the wiring is in good shape, and the bag and its enclosures are not compromised.
I would advise that if the airbag warning light has never been on, that you are just fine, and can save the $105, unless your dealer also tests your muffler bearings for the same price.
And it looks like the only time that one would actually test the airbag firing circuits is if the airbag fault warning light is on, or if the bags were deployed, and new bags are installed.
It sounds to me that you are paying $105 for someone to hook up a system tester to verify that there are no faults in the airbag subsystem. Of course you could do that yourself by verifying that the airbag fault light is not on.
The 4, 8, 10 yr. inspection is primarily a physical one to make sure the wiring is in good shape, and the bag and its enclosures are not compromised.
I would advise that if the airbag warning light has never been on, that you are just fine, and can save the $105, unless your dealer also tests your muffler bearings for the same price.
10-25-2007, 09:26 PM
#11
Three Wheelin'
That is easy, all you need is either a Porsche System Tester or the Durametric diagnostic SW. Select the airbag module, read fault codes, clear fault codes. If the code will not clear, then you have a problem.
10-25-2007, 09:45 PM
#12
Race Car
Thats funny, the service advisor at the dealer near my house didnt know how it would be turned off.
10-26-2007, 12:49 AM
#14
Racer
Thread Starter
10-26-2007, 12:52 AM
#15
Racer
Thread Starter
Hendrick Porsche I guess... they seem to always push this. I posted the same msg a while ago, when they were suggesting this to me. At that time the experts on the board decided this service was not necessary
Following my post:
https://rennlist.com/forums/showthread.php?t=366445
Following my post:
https://rennlist.com/forums/showthread.php?t=366445
