mostolf

(Tried searching the forum and the manual in vain....)

I am really concerned about the status of my passenger airbag. Often, the little "passenger airbag off" light on the center console is lit, but only dimly. Is this something that is always lit in this dim way, or does this mean the airbag is off?! I thought maybe it would be lit brightly if the airbag is off.

I have the manual and a quart of oil living behind the passenger seat (which is pretty far back). I have read some posts that these may be the culprit, but that seems odd.

Any suggestions/help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks much!

Leader

Unless the passenger's seat is occupied by someone weighing more than 60 (I think) pounds the "Passenger Airbag Off" light should be illuminated. Meaning...it will not deploy in an accident since there is no one there to protect.
It won't fire off if you have a child (or child seat) in the passenger's seat...since the airbag could injure them, thus, the weight restriction.
As far as the "brightness" of the indicator light, mine seems to be fairly visible (not exactly dim) all the time, maybe just a bit too bright at night...if that helps. When you're driving solo, the light should be on all the time.
I don't think having a quart of oil behind the passenger's seat should mess anything up...that is until it starts leaking .

rfedele

I think if there is nothing in the seat the light stays off. If you have anything more than a few pounds upto the designated weight (60-80 Lbs ?) the light should be on and noticeably. Mine is very bright.

Soulteacher

In my current and in my last 997, the light was always completely off, unless I had groceries or a really skinny girlfriend in the passenger seat.

mostolf

To clarify, my above situation is with someone over 100lbs in passenger seat. Need to check when the passenger seat is empty. This is a 2007 997S if that matters. Very concerning.

Thanks again for the comments. I'll keep a look out for more.

GSIRM3

This is correct.

Leader

I stand (or sit, actually) corrected.
My 2K6 C2S "passenger airbag off" light does not shine when the seat is empty.
It lights briefly upon starting the car, then goes off.
But, it flashes on and off and back on again when my 62 lb. dog rides shotgun.
His weight must be right on the edge of the "sensitivity" level.

geof

Just to throw one other possibility at you- I once had a problem with that light coming on, and took it to the dealer because it was annoying me. It turns out that I had a pair of hiking boots behind the passenger seat, and these were pressing some sensor in the seat which disabled the airbag and caused that light to come on. So- is there anything behind the passenger seat?

gota911

In his initial post he said his car manual and a quart of oil were behind the seat. That could be the problem.

printemps2001

I have found that it comes on when there is something light weight on the seat. It comes on when I stuff my golf clubs on the passenger compartment. It also came on last week when I was bring a box labeled 25lbs. home. Must be some sort of smart airbag system.

geof

I am embarrassed. How did I miss that line?

Yes this could be the problem.

JW911

Maybe you should pull that stuff out from under the seat and see what happens????? Probably easier to try that than post here...

mostolf

Thanks. Tried it once, but not for an extended period and not through a start/top cycle of the engine. Will try again a bit more carefully to see exactly what causes what light status.

What initially prompted me to post is that I have 3 stages of light status and I want to know what the difference is between dimly lit and brightly lit. I thought I only saw the brightly lit on start-up, but will double check. If dimly lit does not equal airbag off, then I'm fine leaving the manual/oil back there. So I was asking what the deal is between dimly and brightly lit.