Airbag light help

[rockhopper]

Signed my paper work for my new 06 c4, started the car and the airbag light lit up. It's been back and forth to the dealer now 3 times always with same result. They have replaced a passenger seat air bag and the airbag control unit and tested all the wiring. The mechanic has no idea where to go next. Has anyone else experienced this. He stated something to the effect of replacing the entire wiring harness in the vehicle. Help, the service department has more miles on the vehicle than I do.

[Loren]

When an airbag light goes on there is also a fault code(s) as to what triggered it (just like the DME). Easily read with a or PIWIS tester that code(s) should point to the triggering problem area. Then they should follow the troubleshooting based on the fault code. He didn't say what he fault code was did he?

If the code is 8033 and/or 8034 then there is a TSB for a know problem with the air bag light. Have him review TSB 3/04 9766 Airbag Warning Light Activated: Seal in the Plug Connection of Triggering Unit Faulty -- dated 10-04-2004.

[rockhopper]

Thank you very much for the reply Loren, I took your reply to the dealership this morning. Unfortunately the tech already has replaced the suspect connectors to no avail. He stated that he has ohmed all the wires and they all passed. From what I can tell gather, they fix the fault codes, it passes with no warnings and after the vehicle has set overnight it rears its head again at startup. He is now going to investigate the possibillity of a partially frayed wire in the passenger seat. According to the mechanic PCNA has no idea what is causing this problem.

[Loren]

Ask him for the codes next time.

I never clear codes until I am pretty sure I have checked everything and no other codes show up.

Sorry, but blaming PCNA is lame. Your mechanic should have been to the 997 training school and should know how to troubleshoot these sorts of problems. As far as I know PCNA does not fix cars - they are just a liaison with the factory for unusual or stubborn problems.

Where are you located? are there other dealers?

[rockhopper]

Hey Loren, once again thanks for the reply. The Mechanic told me the code was 8034 as you expected. He says all the standard fixes have not remedied the problem. A odd thing occured testerday, The airbag code cleared itself and showed no instance of it in the dealer's computer interface. I picked the car up temporarily and drove it around that afternoon and cycled the ignition a number of times, the only odd occurance was that the TPMS needed to relearn the sensors when I parked it at a store, 3 minuets latter it found all the sensors again but no sign of airbag warnings. This morning after it got cold again the airbag light came back on when I started the vehicle. I always seems to occur when the vehicle gets cold outside at night. I'm located in Charlottesville VA and have been dealing with Crown porsche, there is another larger dealership in Richmond VA but I wanted the dealership that sold me the car to fix the issue since I've only managed to put 80 out of 230 total miles on the vehicle. I have told both PCNA and The dealership that I want a new vehicle if they cannot resolve this issue without a major teardown or time consuming procedure, doesn't seem like it should be my problem with a brand new vehicle. However I have no idea how PCNA will handle it.

[Loren]

8034 as described in the TSB is the passenger side thorax airbag. You car is new enough it should have the new connector for the airbag controller. But if it is still getting the 8034 with a "Below limit value" error then it could still be a bad connector or connectors. I guess it could be a bad airbag controller too. There is not much else to go wrong. IMHO not worth replacing the car for. This can and should be fixed. Perhaps they should loan you a car while the other dealership gives it a try?

[rockhopper]

Thanks Loren, I appreciate the advice. I'll let these guys stab at it for another day or so. Would there be any chance of the body control module interfering with the airbag system?

[Loren]

Not likely (IMHO) as the airbag is a separate "safety" circuit.

If you had the control module problem you would most likely see all sorts of weird electrical problems - not just this one.

[rockhopper]

Well Good news The regional rep flew in to examine and rectify the situation, not a bad response time. 2nd day after my phone call to PCNA. Once again, thanks for the help Loren.