turbo187

so maybe someone can help me figure out whats wrong with my car.


first the other day the engine wouldn't start. i would turn the key and the pcm would turn on, but the engine wouldnt start!

also, recently the passenger airbag has been turning itself off while people are in the seat!

I'm going to take it to the dealer on Monday, but i figured i'd ask you guys so that i know what i'm facing.

thanks!

mjw930

Sounds like a low voltage situation. Check your battery connections and the battery itself. Electronics get very flaky when the voltage drops. If it's happening while the motor is running it could be the charging system or a loose connection to the battery.

skl

Larry, oh Larry, attention Larry,

ltc

Just when I was nice and comfortable, lying there in my casket.......fine, time to go to work.....again.

turbo187, welcome to the Cayenne forum.
I am 'Larry', a computer program written by 'ltc' (not really sure who/what he is anyways) while he was locked away in the 'vacation villa'.

Could you please provide any additional details?

Size/weight of the passenger? The 'smart' airbag will disable the passenger side airbag based on the size of the occupant, however, there is hysteresis built in so it should NOT toggle on/off while the person is seated.
The most likely cause is the seat sensor/airbag control module, or simply perhaps a loose connector under the seat (it happens)

What was the last voltmeter indication while driving/parked?
Any previous warning "!" messages on the dash MFC?
Do the headlights still work in the current condition, interior lights?
Were you able to step on the brake and get the transmission out of 'P', do you hear a 'click' when you step on the brake pedal?
When the PCM turned on, was there audio coming out of the speakers?
(the nodes on the MOST infotainment ring monitor voltage and in a low voltage condition will either mute or simply not turn on, in accordance with MOST specifications)
Are you allergic to shellfish?

Based on limited data, I would guess an issue with the immobilizer, but it's just a guess without answers to the above questions.

I'm quite certain that your dealer can resolve these simple issues fairly quickly.
If not, you know where to find us.

Best of luck

turbo187

i knew you would have some answers ltc, thanks!

the person probably weighed 150lbs.


not too sure about everything witht he battery... the car finally started after i tried 5 times. when the pcm turned on, music started playing. I wasn't all too observant when this all happened because I was so pissed!

Anyway... thanks for shedding some light onto my situation!

ltc

150lbs is WAY over the limit for passenger airbag detection, so you have an issue, likely as I previously described.

Bring the car into the dealer at your next opportunity and ask them to check for any stored codes (accessed via PIWIS)..

Based on what you have said to date, I'm not thinking battery.

ltc

Hmmmn, only 7 posts and you knew I'd have some answers.......

Yikes "!"

turbo187

i've been a lurker for awhile and it seemed like you always knew what you were talking about!

99firehawk

what years is the vechile?
im guesing 06 if it has aws

ltc

Now look what you've done.....you made me blush!

Remember:
"A one eyed man is a leader in the valley of the blind"

Always willing to help, even with "semi-self inflicted" Cayenne ownership wounds.
At this rate, I may as well buy another one.......no, never mind.

EnigmaWmn

If you keep this up you'll end up being VERY disappointed :-D

ltc

Thanks, but as I said, if I don't come in last, then somebody tampered with the voting box.

356driver

The airbag detection system can be fairly complex and the problem may not be the control module. The module takes sensor inputs from a pressure bladder in the seat to determine the weight of the passenger. Depending on design it may also take input from accelerometers and other sensors that measure the car's motion. Motion is calculated in real time to compensate for fluxuations in the bladder pressure as the passenger bounces up and down in the seat. So the problem may be in the module, it may be in a faulty pressure bladder sensor, or it may be a faulty sensor of another kind.

As ltc stated it may also be a loose connector interrupting the readings from any of the above sensors. In fact that might be the first place to look because cables tend to be the weak link in these kinds of systems.

turbo187

thanks for everyone's help. i'm going to take it to the dealership this week.

VinnyC

LTC....Who is that guy...