Air-bag light/Seat belt receptacle

[sactorandy]

I have the typical air-bag light on due to a bad seat belt receptacle. Has anyone tried to repair their existing receptacle and wiring harness ground instead of buying a repalcement? What happens to these? Is there a way to trick the system into thinking the receptacle is ok? It seems a waste to replace it when it is functioning properly.

[Loren]

Please do a search here - this has been covered dozens of times.

You need to read the faults code(s) to see what is reporting the fault. Everything else is just a guess.

[sactorandy]

Please do a search here - this has been covered dozens of times.

You need to read the faults code(s) to see what is reporting the fault. Everything else is just a guess.

Thanks Loren. My independent determined the fault to be the passenger seat belt. He said to just replace it and the wiring harness but I think there should be a way to make it work since the fault isn't a moving part. Call me cheap. I'm just resisting spending the $100 to turn off the light.

[Loren]

There is a TSB that says replace the faulting belt buckle and re-solder the ground connections under the drivers seat.

I personally would not be cheap when it comes to airbags, seat belts and brakes - they all work to save your life.

[Tool Pants]

Some time ago in the 996 section a guy cleaned the electrical contacts in the buckles with a spray. From my faiding memory the older cars had tin plated contacts, then for model year 2000 Porsche switchet to gold plated contacts. The light comes on when the control unit does not see the correct resistance.

[sactorandy]

Some time ago in the 996 section a guy cleaned the electrical contacts in the buckles with a spray. From my faiding memory the older cars had tin plated contacts, then for model year 2000 Porsche switchet to gold plated contacts. The light comes on when the control unit does not see the correct resistance.

Thanks Tool Pants and Loren. I ordered a new buckle and wiring harness from Sunset yesterday. I'm going to experiment with the spray before I install the new buckle. If it works, will the light reset automatically? I'll post the results.

[Loren]

Some time ago in the 996 section a guy cleaned the electrical contacts in the buckles with a spray. From my faiding memory the older cars had tin plated contacts, then for model year 2000 Porsche switchet to gold plated contacts. The light comes on when the control unit does not see the correct resistance.

Thanks Tool Pants and Loren. I ordered a new buckle and wiring harness from Sunset yesterday. I'm going to experiment with the spray before I install the new buckle. If it works, will the light reset automatically? I'll post the results.

Sorry, but you will need Durametic, PST2, or PIWIS tester to reset the airbag light.

[1schoir]

Some time ago in the 996 section a guy cleaned the electrical contacts in the buckles with a spray. From my faiding memory the older cars had tin plated contacts, then for model year 2000 Porsche switchet to gold plated contacts. The light comes on when the control unit does not see the correct resistance.

Your memory is not fading...

The poster used a spray that is available at Radio Shack (now "The Shack", I guess they're going upscale! LOL!!!) called "De-Oxit". It comes as a kit also, one to clean the contacts and one to "protect them". Expensive for a little tiny spray. Must be available elsewhere in a more useful size.

Regards, Maurice.

[sactorandy]

:D I finally got around to installing the new receptacle and wiring kit and discovered that the wiring kit had been previously updated and just the receptacle needed replacement. Replacing the seat belt receptacle was easy except for connecting the plug. Porsche sure could have designed a more positive fitting plug. After struggling with it and being unsure if it was connected correctly without bending those vary small wires, I took it to my independent's shop to have the light reset. All is well so far. Thanks for the advice.