Airbag light

[deanpearch]

With the airbag dash light on, how do I check the trouble codes and erase the light? The service manual seems to imply that it has to be checked with a Porsche scan tool. The OBD2 scan tool I have can check engine codes but does not have access to the air bag controller. I tried pulling bthe E1 fuse for the airbag controller but the codes must be stored on flash memory because they did not erase. The air bag light came on about the time I had the passenger seat out of the car for engine access but it has since been put back in. Any advise would be helpful on retriving and erasing these codes.

2000 Boxter S w/o side airbags

[AUDIOGUY]

You may need to take it to the dealer...
When you had the seat out, you probably disconnected the harness to the seat or seatbelt. This will normally throw the SRS code. In the future, disconnect the battery and wait 15 minutes or so. The normal "check engine" scan tool wont turn the SRS light out. The dealer will probably charge 1 hr labor or so to clear the code. Just explain what you did so they know it is probably just a false code and not an actual problem.

Best of luck!

[MNBoxster]

Originally Posted by deanpearch

With the airbag dash light on, how do I check the trouble codes and erase the light? The service manual seems to imply that it has to be checked with a Porsche scan tool. The OBD2 scan tool I have can check engine codes but does not have access to the air bag controller. I tried pulling bthe E1 fuse for the airbag controller but the codes must be stored on flash memory because they did not erase. The air bag light came on about the time I had the passenger seat out of the car for engine access but it has since been put back in. Any advise would be helpful on retriving and erasing these codes.

2000 Boxter S w/o side airbags

Hi,

Not having the Passenger Seat in place will trigger an AirBag Fault.

The Car uses a SMART technology which can sense when there is an occupant in the Passenger Seat and not and will disable the AirBag if no weight is detected on the Seat. It relies on a Sensor in the Seat which is plugged into the AirBag Harness. If this circuit is Open, such as when removing the Seat with the Battery connected (which you should never do), you'll trigger a Fault and the Light will come on.

This may reset once the Seat is reinstalled and the the electical connection is re-made. If not, you're in for a trip to the Dealer. The AirBag uses a proprietary Code which only the PST2 can reset. Hope this helps...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

[deliriousga]

You'll be at the dealer. I did the same thing and my local Porsche specialist has a PST2, but his will not clear the airbag light. He said it's a liability thing so that function is turned off unless you're a dealer under the Porsche umbrella.

[deanpearch]

Thanks for the info. At least you confirmed that I caused the light to trip and not something more serious. Looks like I'll be going to the dealer.