Air Bag Light
08-10-2009, 09:03 PM
#1
Racer
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2001
Posts: 304
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Air Bag Light
Air bag light was on and the dealer, Sonnen in the bay area, kindly turned it off for free. That lasted, oh 3 days, and back on it came. Back to the dealer to have them say, $1800 to fix the light.
Needs new wiring harness, meaning remove the seats (both), part of the dash apparently, run new harness, etc, etc. etc.
Anyone have PCNA step up and fix what is clearly their issue? Mine a 99 C2 with 58k miles. Well maintained. 2 previous buckle replacements for the air bag light issue.
Help, hints??
Needs new wiring harness, meaning remove the seats (both), part of the dash apparently, run new harness, etc, etc. etc.Anyone have PCNA step up and fix what is clearly their issue? Mine a 99 C2 with 58k miles. Well maintained. 2 previous buckle replacements for the air bag light issue.
Help, hints??
08-10-2009, 11:38 PM
#3
I copied this from my post in Jan. 05, no problems since the airbag control unit replaced
---------------------------------------------------
This is my story but may be good reference when the time comes- I have '99 C4, 2nd owner, 75K miles, last year (9/05) the airbag warning light came on, a trip the the dealer and $529 later it's fixed. The dealer replaced the seatbelt sensors on the driver and passanger sides. In July 06 the airbag warning light comes back on. I try the 'ol black tape over the light trick which works OK but kind of grinds on me since it's a reminder that I do not have active airbags, at least not for sure.
In Sept 06 I go back to the dealer and after checking the fault codes and service history they advise me that I need an airbag control unit. Here is the pisser- the TSB says (roughly) that the airbag warning fix is as follows: replace the seatbelt sensors, if the airbag light comes on again, replace the seatbelt sensors, if the airbag light comes on again replace the airbag control unit. It turns out the first owner had replaced the sensors, so when I had it done it was the second time.
The airbag control unit was about $450 and $120 for labor and now the problem should be solved. (Be sure to ask if there is discount for PCA members, mine was 15%) Oddly enough, the new part # 996-618-219-02 is made in Mexico and replaced the orginal made in Germany- Viva Porsche!
It just kind of frosts me that I ended up paying an extra $500 to solve this. The fix it twice and move on method may be great for the dealer but not for me.
There, I feel better now.
---------------------------------------------------
This is my story but may be good reference when the time comes- I have '99 C4, 2nd owner, 75K miles, last year (9/05) the airbag warning light came on, a trip the the dealer and $529 later it's fixed. The dealer replaced the seatbelt sensors on the driver and passanger sides. In July 06 the airbag warning light comes back on. I try the 'ol black tape over the light trick which works OK but kind of grinds on me since it's a reminder that I do not have active airbags, at least not for sure.
In Sept 06 I go back to the dealer and after checking the fault codes and service history they advise me that I need an airbag control unit. Here is the pisser- the TSB says (roughly) that the airbag warning fix is as follows: replace the seatbelt sensors, if the airbag light comes on again, replace the seatbelt sensors, if the airbag light comes on again replace the airbag control unit. It turns out the first owner had replaced the sensors, so when I had it done it was the second time.
The airbag control unit was about $450 and $120 for labor and now the problem should be solved. (Be sure to ask if there is discount for PCA members, mine was 15%) Oddly enough, the new part # 996-618-219-02 is made in Mexico and replaced the orginal made in Germany- Viva Porsche!
It just kind of frosts me that I ended up paying an extra $500 to solve this. The fix it twice and move on method may be great for the dealer but not for me.
There, I feel better now.
08-10-2009, 11:56 PM
#4
Parts Specialist
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
yea... I still vote for the little piece of tape for all that headache!! - relax, and have a glass of wine on the deck of some nice place with your wife with the money you saved 
08-11-2009, 11:51 AM
#7
Rennlist Member
I copied this from my post in Jan. 05, no problems since the airbag control unit replaced
---------------------------------------------------
This is my story but may be good reference when the time comes- I have '99 C4, 2nd owner, 75K miles, last year (9/05) the airbag warning light came on, a trip the the dealer and $529 later it's fixed. The dealer replaced the seatbelt sensors on the driver and passanger sides. In July 06 the airbag warning light comes back on. I try the 'ol black tape over the light trick which works OK but kind of grinds on me since it's a reminder that I do not have active airbags, at least not for sure.
In Sept 06 I go back to the dealer and after checking the fault codes and service history they advise me that I need an airbag control unit. Here is the pisser- the TSB says (roughly) that the airbag warning fix is as follows: replace the seatbelt sensors, if the airbag light comes on again, replace the seatbelt sensors, if the airbag light comes on again replace the airbag control unit. It turns out the first owner had replaced the sensors, so when I had it done it was the second time.
The airbag control unit was about $450 and $120 for labor and now the problem should be solved. (Be sure to ask if there is discount for PCA members, mine was 15%) Oddly enough, the new part # 996-618-219-02 is made in Mexico and replaced the orginal made in Germany- Viva Porsche!
It just kind of frosts me that I ended up paying an extra $500 to solve this. The fix it twice and move on method may be great for the dealer but not for me.
There, I feel better now.
---------------------------------------------------
This is my story but may be good reference when the time comes- I have '99 C4, 2nd owner, 75K miles, last year (9/05) the airbag warning light came on, a trip the the dealer and $529 later it's fixed. The dealer replaced the seatbelt sensors on the driver and passanger sides. In July 06 the airbag warning light comes back on. I try the 'ol black tape over the light trick which works OK but kind of grinds on me since it's a reminder that I do not have active airbags, at least not for sure.
In Sept 06 I go back to the dealer and after checking the fault codes and service history they advise me that I need an airbag control unit. Here is the pisser- the TSB says (roughly) that the airbag warning fix is as follows: replace the seatbelt sensors, if the airbag light comes on again, replace the seatbelt sensors, if the airbag light comes on again replace the airbag control unit. It turns out the first owner had replaced the sensors, so when I had it done it was the second time.
The airbag control unit was about $450 and $120 for labor and now the problem should be solved. (Be sure to ask if there is discount for PCA members, mine was 15%) Oddly enough, the new part # 996-618-219-02 is made in Mexico and replaced the orginal made in Germany- Viva Porsche!
It just kind of frosts me that I ended up paying an extra $500 to solve this. The fix it twice and move on method may be great for the dealer but not for me.
There, I feel better now.
Trending Topics
08-11-2009, 12:09 PM
#8
Nordschleife Master
Find out EXACTLY what you need. I just totally gutted a car for racing and have probably everything you need. I'll make sure and get it too you VERY cheaply. No sense in paying the dealer $1800 when most of this stuff you can do yourself.
08-11-2009, 04:18 PM
#9
Three Wheelin'
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Mission Viejo, CA
Posts: 1,726
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hey Dell, I'm just getting my 60k service done and had the light checked out.
They're saying the sensor is about $75, but then almost 2 hours of labor to replace it, does that sound right?
Maybe I could take you up on the offer if you have a driver's side seatbelt sensor.....
They're saying the sensor is about $75, but then almost 2 hours of labor to replace it, does that sound right?
Maybe I could take you up on the offer if you have a driver's side seatbelt sensor.....
08-11-2009, 04:19 PM
#10
Nordschleife Master
I'd need a bit more info on which part exactly you would need. Do you have a pic and/or part number? I'm sure we could make this an easy DIY for you as well.
08-11-2009, 09:15 PM
#12
Super Moderator
Lifetime Rennlist
Member
Lifetime Rennlist
Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Northern New Jersey
Posts: 16,142
Likes: 0
Received 22 Likes
on
18 Posts
Black tape may work in a Mk 1 but in a Mk II if the Airbag light is on than EVERY time you start the car the computer tells you it's on and you have to clear the message. That would drive me even more insane than I already am.
08-12-2009, 08:07 AM
#15
Drifting
Wonder why the sensor replacement the first time was not recorded nor known by the dealer when you went in for it???
I copied this from my post in Jan. 05, no problems since the airbag control unit replaced
---------------------------------------------------
This is my story but may be good reference when the time comes- I have '99 C4, 2nd owner, 75K miles, last year (9/05) the airbag warning light came on, a trip the the dealer and $529 later it's fixed. The dealer replaced the seatbelt sensors on the driver and passanger sides. In July 06 the airbag warning light comes back on. I try the 'ol black tape over the light trick which works OK but kind of grinds on me since it's a reminder that I do not have active airbags, at least not for sure.
In Sept 06 I go back to the dealer and after checking the fault codes and service history they advise me that I need an airbag control unit. Here is the pisser- the TSB says (roughly) that the airbag warning fix is as follows: replace the seatbelt sensors, if the airbag light comes on again, replace the seatbelt sensors, if the airbag light comes on again replace the airbag control unit. It turns out the first owner had replaced the sensors, so when I had it done it was the second time.
The airbag control unit was about $450 and $120 for labor and now the problem should be solved. (Be sure to ask if there is discount for PCA members, mine was 15%) Oddly enough, the new part # 996-618-219-02 is made in Mexico and replaced the orginal made in Germany- Viva Porsche!
It just kind of frosts me that I ended up paying an extra $500 to solve this. The fix it twice and move on method may be great for the dealer but not for me.
There, I feel better now.
---------------------------------------------------
This is my story but may be good reference when the time comes- I have '99 C4, 2nd owner, 75K miles, last year (9/05) the airbag warning light came on, a trip the the dealer and $529 later it's fixed. The dealer replaced the seatbelt sensors on the driver and passanger sides. In July 06 the airbag warning light comes back on. I try the 'ol black tape over the light trick which works OK but kind of grinds on me since it's a reminder that I do not have active airbags, at least not for sure.
In Sept 06 I go back to the dealer and after checking the fault codes and service history they advise me that I need an airbag control unit. Here is the pisser- the TSB says (roughly) that the airbag warning fix is as follows: replace the seatbelt sensors, if the airbag light comes on again, replace the seatbelt sensors, if the airbag light comes on again replace the airbag control unit. It turns out the first owner had replaced the sensors, so when I had it done it was the second time.
The airbag control unit was about $450 and $120 for labor and now the problem should be solved. (Be sure to ask if there is discount for PCA members, mine was 15%) Oddly enough, the new part # 996-618-219-02 is made in Mexico and replaced the orginal made in Germany- Viva Porsche!
It just kind of frosts me that I ended up paying an extra $500 to solve this. The fix it twice and move on method may be great for the dealer but not for me.
There, I feel better now.