wingit

Hi, My 996 C2 has 44,000 miles and is lightly driven. The air bag warning light comes on and is then reset. No problems are found. Then 4-5 months later the warning light reappears. I've read on this forum this is not an uncommon problem, some mentioning seat belts (we always wear them).

Appreciate any ideas to solve this issue?

Thanks,
Bill
McLean, Virginia

frisbee91

It's a common issue, often attributed to the switch in the seat belt buckle that determines if the belt is clicked into place.

Here's what I do:
1. Wait for light to come on
2. Spray some contact cleaner into each belt buckle. (protect seats, center console, and carpet with rags)
3. Reset the light with the Durametric. (buy a Durmametric or similar unit first)
4. Wait about a year. Go back to step 1.

Peter_S03

I have the same problem on my 2001 996, Dealer said I needed a buckle and an upgraded wire harness under the seat.
Its a 2 -3 h job , they have to take the seat out, mostly labor, 700.00 plus they want for these light to turn off !!

wingit

Peter and Frisbee,
I appreciate your reply and info. So the takeaway is that it's just something to live with? I'm guessing from your reply Peter that you didn't take the $700 jump with a new under seat wire harness. Is a durametric difficult to use?

frisbee91

Durametric is easy to use. It's a cable that connects between your laptop USB and connects to the OBC connector on the car. (under the dash, just under the ignition switch)

You download & run the Durametric software, connect to the car, then navigate to the airbag menu and reset the light.

You can buy the cable directly from durametric, or pick up a used one on Ebay. Beware that some Durametric cables can only be used with three different cars (unique VIN numbers).

You could also go the route of taking it to a shop and have them diagnose and replace the worn parts. That would work, but could be expensive. There is no guarantee that the problem wouldn't return in a year anyway. That's my 2 cents.


I wouldn't recommend just driving around with the airbag light on; If an another issue came up with the airbag, you wouldn't know about it.

roadsession

Here you go. here's the fix.

http://www.renntech.org/forums/tutor...-airbag-light/

frisbee91

Nice! I hadn't seen that DIY. If I ever get to the point where my airbag light won't stay reset, I'll tackle the full DIY replacement. For now, it takes me about 2 minutes per year to deal with the reset.

Peter_S03

NO , I did not ( dealer price in Tampa.)
I was very lucky, while on a road trip in the Smokeys , with 33 other Porsches and an Aston Martin Vantage, last w/e (in my new to me 996 C4 30 days old) I had assistance from a VERY helpful young man (Nathan) who drove from Brumos in Jckville, as tech support, during the road trip. He cleared it for me, lubed the contact under the seats. A very nice and helpful person !! I am very great full.
Brumos congrats. you could have NOT sent a better man !! I hope you send him on the next road trip next year.

fpb111

Note: If you are taking the seat out. Unbolt the rear seat bracket bolts first then the fronts. That way the track will be tucked under the seat not sticking out of the back of the seat like hungry razor blades with a hankering for trim and paint.
BTW The lower leather cover on the console cost ~ $50 from Sunset.

Sneaky Pete

I switch my seats out for track days. Last year I inadvertently installed one of the rails on top of the seat belt cable.....and I forgot to put the car key at least 15' away from the car. I ended up with a airbag light. I bought a new receptacle off of eBay for $80, installed it and cleared the code with my Durametric.

alpine003

I had mine permanently turned off through reprogramming so I don't have to worry about it and also I'm able to swap in my Sport seats at any time.

SWK6Cup

a small piece of black electrical tape hides the light nicely, with my track seats!

wingit

I appreciate all the info and suggestions. If the air bag light is 'on' does that mean the air bag does not function if in an accident?

wingit

The Tech that diagnosed my air bag light issue said the following: "diagnosed fault #26 igniter circuit-passenger. airbag to control unit is OK. connector on passenger air bag is loose. electrical connector is only available from Porsche as a complete wiring harness. Secured connector with a fixative (note - fixative solution did not work and lasted less than 24 hours.) Recommend to drive and observe. May still need an actual repair."
Another factor in this equation is the car was in a front end accident several years ago (before my purchase). The air bag was replaced at that time. Thanks for all your advice and suggestions.
Roadsession's DIY was very thorough and well explained and illustrated. Wish I were handy enough to take this on.

Hurdigurdiman

When I am finding my buckle for the seat belt, a ding sound is heard from the dash when ever my seat buckle gets close. I presume that sound it to tell me I am there and to push down into the receiving part of the fastener. Does any other 99 996 do that?