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Old Oct 6, 2009 | 10:34 PM
  #1  
Marc Gelefsky's Avatar
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Default Airbag light issues

My Airbag light was on, so I scanned with Durametric and turned it off.
Code is: 21 Ignition Circuit driver

Possible cause of fault: (Thanks to Loran on Renntech)

- Short circuit to B+/ground or open circuit in the wiring between the driver's airbag unit and the airbag triggering unit
- Driver's airbag unit faulty
- Triggering unit for airbag faulty

The light stayed off for a day or so and than came back on, I reset and it came back again a little later.
I think I hear a slight grinding when I turn the steering wheel.

Could it be wiring or something called a clock-spring trigger, whatever that is?

Thanks!
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Old Oct 7, 2009 | 12:17 AM
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I think they should just replace the electronics with a "rip cord"


"Pull in case of accident"
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Old Oct 7, 2009 | 09:48 AM
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Originally Posted by ivangene
I think they should just replace the electronics with a "rip cord"


"Pull in case of accident"
No kidding, pain in the ***...

so what the hell is a CLOCK SPRING!
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Old Oct 7, 2009 | 10:09 AM
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IIRC its slang for the piece behind the airbag (have not taken mine apart, so not sure where) where the electronings pass thru from the stationary column to the rotation area of the steering wheel (shown here) - I think

Last edited by ivangene; Nov 7, 2010 at 11:37 AM.
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Old Oct 7, 2009 | 10:40 AM
  #5  
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My airbag light came on again when I was moving the seat around. Kinda annoying but good news is that I have 1 1/2 years before addressing it for inspection again.
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Old Oct 15, 2009 | 12:29 PM
  #6  
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Anyone have any idea what I should be looking at when I pull the wheel this weekend?

Cause I dont!
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Old Oct 15, 2009 | 12:39 PM
  #7  
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Marc,
Be certain you disconnect the battery before you go in there. 996 Companion makes a big deal about that specific first step. They also recommend that the dealer be the one to remove the airbag assembly so you don't get a facefull. Last year when I changed out my steering wheel from a 4-spoke to a 3-spoke (and thus an airbag assembly to match), I looked everywhere for directions and the only directions I got were to the dealership.
That being said, it is actually a simple task. You might want to go ahead and get the horn ring collar that wears out and replace that while you are in there (kind of like doing the IMS anyway when doing a clutch job).
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Old Oct 15, 2009 | 12:45 PM
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efin german electronics...... isnt the seabelts related to the airbag lights. Clock spring... wtf is it searched.

Originally Posted by an02boxster
It carries voltage/current to the airbag and steering wheel mounted switches (horn, shift controls...etc) through the rotating axis. It used to be easy when it was just a horn, then they had just a set of spring loaded contacts touching a contact ring.
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Old Oct 15, 2009 | 01:58 PM
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Originally Posted by redridge
efin german electronics...... isnt the seabelts related to the airbag lights. Clock spring... wtf is it searched.

Ohh... this is gonna ba a fun job... maybe I better order some parts so I dont have to do this twice.

Not my week for cars, also have to pull the console out of the Saab because it looks like the ignition switch is crapping out.
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Old Oct 17, 2009 | 02:12 AM
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Marc,
Are you sure it is not the seat belt switch? The clock spring is not a spring. Depending on how many Accessory controls are on your wheel it is a coil of flat wires/wire that winds up or unwinds to allow the wheel to turn without tearing the wire(s). The whole thing will probably be in a plastic holder that has external connections on both sides. One side turns with the wheel the other side stays put. If you disconnect the battery for about twenty minutes the air bag should be discharged so that it does not activate. Don't wear your wool skirt with nylons while you work on it or the static generated could set it off. Not to mention the static you will get from the forum if anyone sees you it that getup.
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Old Oct 17, 2009 | 04:20 AM
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Originally Posted by redridge
efin german electronics...... isnt the seabelts related to the airbag lights. Clock spring... wtf is it searched.
Possible seat belt latch "sensor thingy". My 98 Boxster airbag light came on back when I had it a few years back. My Indy said it could be some sensor inside the seat belt housing. It was. Can't even remember how much. The parts were maybe like...$30 I guess? Worth a try...
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Old Oct 17, 2009 | 10:43 AM
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Marc, you car is trying to tell you that it wants a short shifter installed in it. It is calling you an "air bag" for buying one and not installing it!

Seriously, the most common issue seems to be the seat belt sensor that Jugger911 mentioned ^.
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Old Oct 17, 2009 | 11:19 AM
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Frank & Evil Tim,

The Durametric tells me the issue is in the drivers airbag.
I thought it would be the seat belts as well, I even have all the parts to fix the belts but Durametric tells me otherwise.
I also hear a little scraping noise when I turn the wheel so that leads me to believe the clock spring is at fault.
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Old Oct 17, 2009 | 11:25 AM
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When you put the new clock spring in make sure to set it to daylight savings time.
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Old Oct 17, 2009 | 11:31 AM
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Originally Posted by Marc Gelefsky
Frank & Evil Tim,

The Durametric tells me the issue is in the drivers airbag.
I thought it would be the seat belts as well, I even have all the parts to fix the belts but Durametric tells me otherwise.
I also hear a little scraping noise when I turn the wheel so that leads me to believe the clock spring is at fault.
when you put the clock spring back in make SURE you seat it properly and and follow the instructions regarding the little clip on the face of it. After swapping steering wheels, i neglected to do that and busted up the spring (car was drivable but steering wheel was tight and it made weird noises of a worrying nature lol).

Replacement cost of the clock spring assembly up here was 220$ and was kept instock by the dealer (so probably around 120-140$ us) so it's good to avoid an easily avoidable mistake.
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