'02 996 Airbag light on with Belt Tensioner Error Code 23

[obin robinson]

The Airbag light came on in my 2002 996 while I was on a long drive. I used my Durametric scanner and found that the fault says:

 

Airbag B05

Current Fault Codes

23

Belt tensioner, drivers

 

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I've checked the archives and could not find this exact issue. I've cleaned the contacts with spray contact cleaner but the code did not clear. Do I need to replace the belt buckles? What is my next course of action?

 

Thanks in advance for any help you can offer.

[Loren]

Fault 23 

 

Possible cause of fault:
- Incorrect coding
- Short circuit to B+/ground or open circuit in the wiring between the driver's seat belt tensioner and the control module
- Driver's seat belt tensioner faulty
- Triggering unit for airbag faulty

 

 

[obin robinson]

Thank you. Would you recommend I just clean the connections up or is this something I have to bring to a dealership? I have a lot of mechanical and electronic experience. Where is the tensioner located? Where is the triggering unit located?

 

Thanks again.

[DBJoe996]

I believe the seat belt tensioner is located in the B pillar....where the seat belt rolls back into the pillar.

Here is what I would do, pull the seat belt out all the way several times and see if it rolls back up correctly.

Then clear the code and see if it comes back.  It might just be an anomaly.

My seat belt light came on unexpectedly last evening.  Never before.  Once I hook up my  Durametric this morning, I am curious to find out what triggered it.

It was the passenger seat buckle. Cleared code, light is out. Shot some electrical contact cleaner in the buckle.  We shall see.

Edited August 22, 2019 by DBJoe996

[obin robinson]

I pulled the seat belt out several times and let it reel back in. It rolls back up correctly. The code keeps popping up. Can I just take that trim off and check the wiring? I don't want to set the airbag off.

[judgejon]

can you just clear the code using the durametric?

Its possible that the code just shows up as a "mysterious Porsche thing."

Just clearing it is possibly ok.  It might very well show up again in a few weeks, months, years.  

Check out this issue on the forum.  some people have a durametric just to be able to clear the air bag light.

[obin robinson]

I have cleared it with the Durametric scanner and it just pops up again a moment later. I am wondering if it's a loose wire. I just don't want to set the airbag off by mistake.

[judgejon]

Right.  Totally right.  

My light came on at weird moments, but always stayed off for long times.  On longer road trips I had a partitioned MacBookAir with me just to clear the air bag just in case.  Never had it happen though.  My car had the gold contacts in the seat belts.  If you do go to a dealership, bring your credit card.  

Good luck. 

[DuaneVanDuuren]

Using the Durametric tool I have code B05 Drivers Circuit calling for part 996 618 219 01.  Does this indicate I need to change the sensor or should I be looking at something else?  The car is an 02 C2. 

[obin robinson]

How did you get Durametric to specify that part? I have the exact same B05 code in my '02 C2. I think we have the exact same error here and hopefully the same solution.

[DuaneVanDuuren]

The log report shows code 21 Airbag B05 and lists that part number.  I am unsure if that means the sensor is simply reading a fault from an unidentified input or if it is that part.  I can’t much much information on code 21. The local shop told me I needed a new airbag, but how can they tell?  I had the signal stock changed a while ago and the the car back in for the steering squeaking.  I am wondering if it is possibly a loose or damaged connection, the clock spring, control sensor or the actual bag. I don’t want to randomly start changing parts. I cleared the fault once and it didn’t come back for about 1k miles.  

[obin robinson]

That part is over $1,000. If I knew it needed to be replaced I'd be okay with that. I don't want to buy it to find out I don't need it. Does anyone else have any ideas? Thanks in advance.

[JFP in PA]

You need more information before replacing the airbag control unit, it may have just lost its connection to the system.  You would be better off having the car scanned with a PIWIS to see if it is a coding issue or a real device problem.

 

[DBJoe996]

Since they had to take the steering wheel off along with the airbag, could it be they simply forgot to connect it back up?

[B3-CPO]

On 8/22/2019 at 5:42 PM, obin robinson said:

I pulled the seat belt out several times and let it reel back in. It rolls back up correctly. The code keeps popping up. Can I just take that trim off and check the wiring? I don't want to set the airbag off.

 

OP, have you tried replacing the tensioner? I had this exact problem. Tried everything. Bit the bullet and replaced the seat belt tensioner. Problem solved. 

[obin robinson]

On ‎9‎/‎10‎/‎2019 at 8:42 AM, b3freak said:

 

OP, have you tried replacing the tensioner? I had this exact problem. Tried everything. Bit the bullet and replaced the seat belt tensioner. Problem solved. 

Not yet. I've been busy with other projects. How tough was it to replace the tensioner? Where did you get the parts from.

[B3-CPO]

On 2/10/2020 at 10:25 AM, obin robinson said:

Not yet. I've been busy with other projects. How tough was it to replace the tensioner? Where did you get the parts from.

 

To clarify, I meant the seat belt receptacle. It's pretty much plug and play. Remove the negative terminal on the battery. Remove the seat in question. Unbolt and unplug the old seat belt receptacle. Install new part and plug it up. Reinstall the seat and connect battery. Reset the airbag code with a scanner. Start the car to test.

[obin robinson]

2 hours ago, b3freak said:

 

To clarify, I meant the seat belt receptacle. It's pretty much plug and play. Remove the negative terminal on the battery. Remove the seat in question. Unbolt and unplug the old seat belt receptacle. Install new part and plug it up. Reinstall the seat and connect battery. Reset the airbag code with a scanner. Start the car to test.

Oh so it's not the tensioner but just the belt receptacle that fixed it in your car? Part # 99680318309? That's a much easier fix! I'll order the parts tonight thank you!

[judgejon]

Forget it.  Use the friendly search engine.  Lots of stuff on this. Is this mostly a random unknown cause Issue?  Bottom line , imho, is to get a Durametric and a nice laptop to take on road trips.  When you get a random airbag light just clear it.  If light does not clear, or immediately returns, then check it all out as you mentioned.  I’m sure I read somewhere on the forum that the seatbelt light issue is a known quantity.  Good luck. 
 

[obin robinson]

Okay I'm revisiting this error because it is driving me nuts. I am also a little confused as to what I am looking at. Here is what I have done:

1) Replaced the airbag control module part # 996.621.219.02 with another module. Reset using Durametric. The error still pops up.

2) Replaced the driver's side seat belt receptacle part # 996.803.183.10. Reset using Durametric. The error still pops up.

3) Cleaned the grounds thoroughly and put Stabilant 22 on the electrical contacts under the seat that go into the seat belt receptacle electrical connectors. Reset using Durametric. The error still pops up.

 

I am now convinced that it is the Belt Tensioner as originally specified. I have tried looking for troubleshooting directions on how to figure if this is indeed where the fault lies. I have heard that there is a trick using a 2.7 ohm resistor but I am not sure where to hook the resistor up to. How do I remove the belt tensioner and if I just replace it with a new one? Before I throw another $325 bucks at this problem to buy part # 997.803.033.05.A23 I want to make sure that this will fix it.

Thanks again!

[Loren]

The error says seat belt tensioner - not receptacle. You could always scan with a PIWIS to confirm the error.

Chances are a bad connection or a bad tensioner - that is where I would put my money.

[judgejon]

Did you ever check the wiring in the steering wheel assembly?

[judgejon]

Or as Loren and Jeff suggest, time for a piwis at your local stealership. 
good luck. 

[obin robinson]

I didn't check the wiring inside the steering wheel. I am thinking about taking out the tensioner and sending it in to be rebuilt. These guys guarantee that they can reset modules and fix the tensioners as well. I think it's worth a shot.

safetyrestore on eBay

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[obin robinson]

Update: I replaced the belt tensioner on the driver's side with the most updated version and the error is still there. I have reset the fault code countless times using Durametric. What wires should I check in the steering wheel? I am now wondering where the bad connection could be? What wires specifically should I test? I have plenty of electronic test gear and I have the Bentley manual. I just need to be pointed in the right direction.

 

Thanks again for all your help.