Airbag fault 1217 fixed!

[working4it]

I had a new gremlin pop its head. Airbag fault message on my '04 S. Pulled the code with Durametric and code 1217 came up. Checked Renntech and wouldnt you know it this is a common issue with a TSB 9/04 6963. So I went to work following the TSB and its now gone.

Steps

Disconnect Negative battery cable

Discounnect wiring harness connectors to seat (includes airbag yellow connectors)

Unbolt/remove seatbelt harness

Unbolt seat and remove

Turn seat upside down

Follow tsb and find the two wire connector black and blue wires

Clip wires

Solder blue to blue and Solder Black to black

Shrinkwrap and zip tie back together

Reverse and put seat back in Cayenne

Link to TSB

http://www.renntech.org/forums/index.php?app=downloads&module=display&section=download&do=confirm_download&id=839

I forgot to take a picture

so i attached the one I used for reference from a post at Pelican

Edited January 9, 2014 by working4it

[PTEC]

Nice job. This was definitely a common issue! I probably redid about 100 of those connectors. Don't be surprised if your light comes again at some point and you pull code 1218 for the passenger side!

[balsingh]

I will be taking the Cayenne to a specialist tomorrow to check the fault codes (I don't have the software or cables, although I could remove the seats and solder the wires myself). How long would the whole job take? I'm thinking no more than an hour....

[Loren]

I will be taking the Cayenne to a specialist tomorrow to check the fault codes (I don't have the software or cables, although I could remove the seats and solder the wires myself). How long would the whole job take? I'm thinking no more than an hour....

That estimate seems a little optimistic.

They will need to:

- hook up the tester to verify the fault(s)

- removing and installing side airbag

- removing and installing front seat

- removing and installing front backrest frame

- hook up the tester to verify the fault(s) have been cured

I think more like a two hours.

If your VIN is covered in the TSB they should give you a cost consideration discount.

[balsingh]

Thanks for the reply Loren. Although this is an independent specialist, would I need to check with Porsche if the VIN is covered in TSB?

[Alexander Tobiasson]

Hey. I'm new to this forum and am the owner of a Cayenne S V8 2004., I have had error code 1217 and remedied this by soldering the cables. everything worked fine for 1 month. Now I have received error code 1738 sensor for airbag (driver), and seat occupancy, passanger - too big and Resistance battery open circuit. Are there more connections under the driver's seat that can cause a short circuit? I can not delete the error code ... it comes back right away?

All the best Alex, Sweden

[Loren]

Thanks for the reply Loren. Although this is an independent specialist, would I need to check with Porsche if the VIN is covered in TSB?

Your OPC may (or may not) do a TSB required repair for free - or a reduced fee.

[balsingh]

I called them and they said there was nothing on their systems about any TSBs or even any Recalls...

The porsche specialist I used charged me 2 hours labour as you said, did a fantastic job and highly recommend him - if any one is looking for one around London.

[Loren]

I called them and they said there was nothing on their systems about any TSBs or even any Recalls...

The porsche specialist I used charged me 2 hours labour as you said, did a fantastic job and highly recommend him - if any one is looking for one around London.

Time to find a new OPC I think...

[gchu]

My 2005 Cayenne VIN isn't on the list of TSB but I had the same problem few years ago. After remove the connector and soldered the wire under the driver seat, the Check Air Bag light never came back. I used the Durametric to read and cleared the code.

[gllever]

Got the 1217 error code on one of my 04s. Took the seat out and found the connector had been by passed, took the shrink fit off the fix and found a crimp joint repair. Cut it out and soldered the wires. No more error code. NO CRIMPS - SOLDER IT

[voodoocat]

Thank you for the information. I also got 1217, lifted the seat and found it already had the recall work done. The crimp looked pretty solid, but I soldered the wires anyway, and the problem went away after resetting with Durametric.

It is possible to make the repair without removing the seat entirely; remove front 2 bolts, remove plastic cover on rear rails, and lift up the seat. It's a narrow reach to the black and blue wires but doable. 

Be careful when removing the aluminum triple square bolts. If you strip them, it'll be a bad day.

[TJrob2000]

Does this fix apply to the '06 CS as well?  I've been having intermittent problems with the passenger seat airbag not being on with  someone in the seat and recently the airbag fault light comes on everytime.  I don't have a durametric, but do have an OBDII reader yet no codes come up.