Airbag Light - Code 28

[IslaTurbine]

So I had an airbag light pop up recently. The tech who read the code wrote down “drivers airbag circuit." The light won’t clear so it’s obviously an active fault. I recently replaced the entire ignition switch and steering lock assembly. The light came on a few days after the repair so I’m not sure if it could be possibly related. The car is a 1999 996. The only thing I can seem to find via searching is that a code 28 is related to the driver's door airbag?

 

Any insight is appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Loren]

Fault codes 12, 13, 28, 29, 40 - Ignition circuit, driver's side airbag

 

Possible cause of fault:
- Short circuit to B+/grouncl or open circuit in the wiring between the driver's side airbag unit and the airbag triggering unit
- Driver's side airbag faulty

[IslaTurbine]

Thanks Loren. Any tips on how to test the wiring in order to determine if it or the airbag is at fault?

[Loren]

You need a special Porsche airbag test fixture to test airbags - I wouldn't go there.

You can check the wire going to the airbag to make sure they are not pinched or broken in the door panel fitting. Do this with the key out of the ignition and the battery disconnected.

[IslaTurbine]

Btw, “drivers side airbag” refers to the airbag in the driver side door? Or the airbag in the driver steering wheel? 

[judgejon]

Could this be a seat belt connector fault?

change over to buckles with gold connectors?

consider clearing with a Durametric. Many own them just for this recurring issue. 

Good luck. . 

[judgejon]

Ps:  are you on Isla, or really like the whiskys?  Caol Ila?  Lagavulin?  Etc?

[IslaTurbine]

35 minutes ago, judgejon said:

Could this be a seat belt connector fault?

change over to buckles with gold connectors?

consider clearing with a Durametric. Many own them just for this recurring issue. 

Good luck. . 

 

The passenger seatbelt was my initial thought and the tech was familiar with that common issue. My front passenger seat sometimes triggers the light and I figured it would be the culprit in this instance. But I don’t think the 28 code is related to that. 

 

 

33 minutes ago, judgejon said:

Ps:  are you on Isla, or really like the whiskys?  Caol Ila?  Lagavulin?  Etc?

 

I used to live on an island and flew turbine aircraft, hence IslaTurbine. Not very original I guess. ?

[Loren]

The seat belt and grounding issues were fault codes 45, 46, 48 and 49 - per the TSB.

This fault 28 which is the drivers side (door) airbag.

[IslaTurbine]

Update:

 

I pulled the driver side door panel off to return the crappy aftermarket speakers back to stock. When doing so I noticed that the door airbag wire harness had  detached due to a cracked connector. I was able to repair and reattach it. A local shop cleared the light with a scan tool and it has stayed off!

[Loren]