STRSHP

So, the persistent airbag warning light came on 4 weeks ago or so. I drove with my fingers crossed hoping the little gremlin might get tired and just quit, but no luck. So off to Sonnen who, for no charge, hooked it up to the OBD unit and reported an open circuit in the seat belt unit. This is my third, counting the original equipment, seat belt buckle. Dealership says the only true way to fix this is to replace both seat belt buckles and their associated wiring harness. Seems a bit extreme. They turned of the light and through sheer force of will, it has not come back on.

Anyone experience this? Car is a 99 with just shy of 60k miles. Well maintained through the dealer. Seems like this is a Porsche manufacturing issue they should step up to, but given the age of the car, I have serious doubts they will.

I am looking for that magic fix.

JDSStudios

This is very common.
Every time I get in my POS mini-van and don't see any problems with reliability,
it makes me think about how over rated sometimes Porsche is.

I agree with pay to play... but pay only ONCE- when you buy the vehicle.

Barn996

I have refused to do anything about my airbag light...it's been on for almost 3 years. I covered mine with black tape.

LJpete

I had this same issue on my first 996. Replaced both buckles and never had a problem after that.

Last Car

Hi,
I had the light show up about a month after I bought my 1999 996 (this being Feb of last year). I live a long ways from a dealer so I bought the Durametric basic reader to check and clear code/light. As of now the light has come on four (4) times and all I do is clear it using the Durametric as I really don't want to replace all the belts.
Just wanted to share this with you.

STRSHP

If the airbag light is on, apparently the airbag will not work, this according to Sonnen in Mill Valley, CA

aron in toronto

This is a common problem that Porsche should, but isn't picking up the tab on.

I have the light on also. It came on the first time I adjusted my passenger seat and had a passenger in the car, after the dealer installed an airbag deactivation bar. This, after paying $255 for the bar, dealer says it’s not a related issue and wants $900 it replace receptacles (for the second time).

I have the seatbelt receptacle repair kit that includes updated wiring, but haven’t gotten around to installing them yet.

Any other auto maker would have taken care of this recurring safety issue, especially on as proud of their product as Porsche.

By the way my dealer (that I don’t trust anymore) told me the opposite as your dealer, and that the air bag is still functional with the light on.

Regards,
Aron

Loren

Not true.
If the air bag light is on then there will be fault code(s) that point to exactly where the fault is. If the seat belt buckle (and grounds) update has not been done then this might be a good time to do it.

ivangene

someone post a part number, price and DIY link for the repair



PLEASE

chsu74

Ed,

PM me your email.

Chao

Marc Gelefsky

Picked up the kit to repair this at Hershey, 5 bucks...

Now i just need to find the time.. to..
Fix the Airbag Light
Install my Short shifter
Clean my wheels
Detail the 86
Change the T Belt on my newly acquired 944 and clean the car up....

AND ACTUALLY DRIVE MY CARS!

maybe I will take a few days off during the week

ivangene

dont we have a "middle finger" smiley??

hahahha
just kidding, nice score

PM Sent Chao

racesx

Not to hi-jack the thread but I just replaced my seats with like kind in my '99 this weekend and now I have the air-bag light on. Could this be the same situation or something else possibly? TIA for any help and sorry to the OP!

AudiOn19s

Yes, you should have disconnected the battery before changing the seats. Likely just need the light shut off and you'll be fine.

racesx

Correct, was in a hurry to get them in and didn't follow "standard operating procedure" and disconnect the battery, my bad. I'll try getting the light re-set, thanks!