Child Seat installation

[Kim]

Lessons learned today with the installation of the Porsche child seat air bag deactivation device:

1. there is no reason to remove the pax seat, which is the first step in the TSB. Just run it all the way back.

2. After you install the underseat bar, if you choose to make the electrical connection while you're under there, be aware that your airbag warning light will then remain on until programming is complete, even if the male portion of the connection (from the child seat) is not inserted in the device buckle.

3. Even though the TSB states that the seat rail covers cannot be reinstalled with this device in place, it can be done easily with a little trimming of the plastic covers to fit around the device's bar. This looks neater than the bare rails.

Went to my independent shop for programming, since he was willing to walk out to the parking lot and do it right away .... as opposed to an appointment with the dealer. Learned the last lesson here.

4. The TSB says that following programming, and with the child seat installed, the airbag light will flash for 10 seconds to indicate that the airbag is deactivated successfully. My tech and I watched it flash on and on, well past the 10 seconds. So, we used the tester to undo the programming, then start over. Same result. Finally, I vaguely recalled reading somewhere that, in some cars, the flashing may be for 60 seconds, vice 10. We turned the key once more and waited. Sure enough, light out at the minute mark.

Once home, I discovered it was in my Owners' Manual that the 60 second figure is found.