Air Bag Light - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

jerry430 · 04-03-2012, 02:51 PM

I'm replacing a faulty window regulator. I disconnected the battery before pulling the door panel off because I read somewhere that when I unplug the side airbag, if the battery is connected the computer will read a problem and the light will come on. When I put the regulator in and have to operate the window to adjust it, do I have to put the air bag back in and plug it in to prevent the aforementioned problem?

jerry430 · 04-19-2012, 07:06 AM

Bump.
Could someone help me here? I need to know if I have to reinstall and connect the air bag before I connect the battery. I'll need to operate the power window to adjust it before I replace the door panel, so I'll have to connect the battery. If I do so without connecting the airbag, will it cause the light to come on (and stay on)?
It seems rather dangerous to be working in that area with the air bag connected, but I want to avoid a problem with the warning light.

Jaxonalden · 04-19-2012, 07:42 AM

I would assume that disconnecting the battery prior to unplugging the airbag harness will prevent the light. Go with that. If you plug the airbag back in and then the battery and you still get the light...o' well. I know unplugging the bag before the battery WILL give you the light...my experience.

particlewave · 04-19-2012, 08:41 AM

I would hook the airbag up before connecting the battery for window testing. I don't know for sure, but it seems that connecting the battery without the airbag would cause a light.

I agree that it is not the safest way to go. Just be cautious and always assume that the airbag is going to deploy so that you can take proper precautions.

thstone · 04-19-2012, 12:56 PM

Yes, if the battery is re-connected witht the air bag unplugged, the ECU will illuminate the air bag light to indicate a fault within the air bag system.

What most of us would probably do is to leave the air bag disconected, re-connect the battery, and finish working on the window regulator. This will result in an air bag light. Then we'd clear the air bag light in 2 mins using our Durametric. Simple, easy, and most important, safe.

jerry430 · 04-19-2012, 05:35 PM

Thanks to all for the guidance. I don't have a Durametric, so I'll have to connect the air bag before I reconnect the battery.

thstone · 04-19-2012, 07:10 PM

Since it sounds like you're a pretty good mechanic, I'd suggest that investing in a Durametric will pay off many times over.