FabianS

I'm having an out of province inspection, and they called to say my airbag light won't go off which is a fail. It was working fine before I took the battery out to charge it. Anyone know what this might be? I need help quick!

CorrdoBrit

Can't offer a suggestion regarding the airbag light but I got to ask.... why did you remove the battery to charge it? When you remove the battery all the codes in the DME computer have to be reset, which can be a real PITA.

FabianS

I took the battery out to charge as the owners manual suggested it, and this is what the previous owner used to do as well. Local Porsche specialist thinks that the alternator might be done. I had the car shipped here and it was very cold, and the car had to be jumped at pickup. Specialist said if the battery was frozen it would fry the alternator, which really sucks! I just got the car and only drove it for 15 minutes, and it's already costing me

hoggel

After my car was jumped with one of those battery packs I had to replace the airbag control unit. It is VERY sensitive to overvoltage.

JeffDC

My air bag control unit went when I ran down the battery and then tried to start the car. The car was new to me at the time, as well. I know how you feel...

JeffDC

I should add that, if you search the problem here, you will find that some that have had the air bag light come on after low voltage situations have not lost the air bag control module and have been able to clear the OBD I codes to resolve the issue. You will need someone that can read the codes. I had to go to a dealer to diagnose the failed module.

Hope some of this helps

FabianS

Hopefully it's not something major. The airbag light goes off after about 30 seconds to a minute, and the previous owner said it had been that way for the 11 years he'd owned it, so I dunno. Mechanic doing the inspection said he was only picking up 12.5V at the posts, which one of the guys on here has told me is too low. I suspect it's the alternator unfortunately.

EMBPilot

Lots of ppl w 95's pull the batteries to charge them or over winter. It's no big deal w OBDI, as there is no extensive readiness cycle to set the system. correct me if I'm wrong, I've always thought this was the case w the older 993's... I have to agree Jeff here. Prob just a low voltage situation that tripped it, surely ur shop can simply reset the light. If they cant find someone locally w a DuraMetric tool or similar tool that has the capability, just reset it, and I'm sure you'll be fine.

Now ur alternator and battery on the other hand

pp000830

No biggie, Use the Durametric software to clear the code. You may need to use the 964 airbag menu as this is the one I am able to use to clear the code on my 993. The 993 menu works for the other OBDC sections, engine, ABS etc.
Andy

David in LA

Sorry for my ignorance but where to get the Durametric software and how do I connect to the OBD port? What is the "airbag code" number?

Thanks!

pp000830

Durametric software is used with a dedicated cord with a USB on one end and the USA OBDC connector on the other. The connector plugs into a socket behind a little plastic door on the driver side of the center console up forward next to where your legs go. Durametric offers free downloads to use with the cable on their web site. I suspect that is where you will find how to purchase the cable. I use a Windows laptop. The software will display a code and an abbreviated description of what it is. There is probably more than one code related to the air-bag system. I found that while using the software I had to use the 964's airbag menu for my 1996 993 to get a reliable code read on the airbag.
It may take several tries to get the software to talk to the car's electronics. Also it only works if the ignition is on and the ignition immobilizer is not activated.
Andy

Rinty

Fabian: If your specialist can't get it figured out, take it to Marc at Alpine. And he can complete your out of province at the same time.

His shop is right next to the LRT, too.

FabianS

Marc is my specialist he's looking at the car on Friday.

Rinty

Good. Let us know how it works out.

If you need to flatbed it down there, ask Marc for the name of the guy he uses. The guy owns several Porsches.

FabianS

Done and done. He's gonna check it all out for me after I drop it off on Friday morning. He'll see if the battery/ alternator is alright...if not then replace them, and the belts while he's at it, and do the inspection. If it's all kosher, then we'll do the inspection, and possibly discuss a couple things I want addressed.