[toolmaker]

Hello I have just purchased a 95 968 and the emergancy light and air bag lights are on constantly. The dealership which I purchased the car at said that it was because they had to replace the battery and that a porsche dealership would have to reset the code. I had them write into the contract that they would fix the problem. If it is more than just resetting the code. Is this really true? Can an individual reset codes something like vag-com. Does this car have an ODBII connector? Does the emergancy light come on if the battery is disconnected?



Thanks

Frank

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[Greimann]

Normally, disconnecting the battery does not set the air bag light. I think your dealer is speculating on the cause for the light being on and it is a good move that you have required that they resolve the issue.



There is a diagnostic connector, but the car is not OBDII. Only a Porsche dealer with a diagnostic computer can reset the light. There is no home-mechanic device or trick that can reset the light.

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[Jim Child]

I've disconnected the batteries on both my 968's a number of times and I've never had this problem. You definitely have something else going on.

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[edsteve]

I have also disconnected the battery several times with no problems. But jumping it will trip the warning lights. Being at a car lot I'm sure they would jump it before they buy a new battery. A reset at a Porsche dealer will run around 50.

Best of luck,

Ed

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[toolmaker]

[quote name='edsteve' date='Mar 14 2005, 07:51 AM']I have also disconnected the battery several times with no problems. But jumping it will trip the warning lights. Being at a car lot I'm sure they would jump it before they buy a new battery. A reset at a Porsche dealer will run around 50.

Best of luck,

Ed

[right][post="1832"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post][/right][/quote]





Ed,



Got the light reset today $60. It must have been from jumping it. Can I put a battery charger on the car or will that trip it as well. They basically had a heavy duty battery charger on it.



Thanks

Frank

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[Anchorman]

I've used jumper cables several times, disconnected the battery numerous times, and never triggered the light. Watch out, there might be something else going on. You should be able to use the battery charger.

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[apex]

Like Anchor, my light has never been triggered through normal repair or maintenance. However, I've been running with the light on for about four months now (amazing how lazy I get) after it came on for apparently no reason. A mechanic who knows Audi/Porsche thinks it's a defective clock spring in the steering wheel but I haven't taken the time to investigate yet. Maybe when the weather's warmer! <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/cool.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />

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[Anchorman]

When my airbag light came on, and stayed on (coming back on after a reset), it was diagnosed by my OPC as a defective clockspring mechanism. I replaced the clockspring, had the light reset, and it's been off ever since.

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[james taylor]

Added FYI also - My Cab was that way when I purchased it.



On mine it turned out to be the main switch failure Eric posted repair on. When cranked the main switch would not immediately turn on DC load devices (radio, heater, etc) unless I rotated the switch back approx 1 degree - contact issue.



The tech explained that this allowed certain time parameter to pass without the warning light going out - thus, fault was set.



Good luck with her! Mine never resurfaced after being reset. Glad to have the airbag light off - understand with it illumiated the system is off line.

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[NothFL968]

All I know so far is what I read . . . from page 68 - 23 of the 968 workshop manual:



Erasing Fault Memory



1. Turn off ignition



2. Apply locally made tool on test plug.



3. Press switch button.



4. Turn on ignition. Switch remains pressed 5 seconds, is released 5 seconds and pressed again 5 seconds.



Note: The precision of a clock with a seconds needle is sufficient.



5. Turn off ignition.



6. Check whether fault memory is erased. Turn on ignition for this purpose. Airbag sign light must go out after 5 seconds.



Has anyone ever tried this?

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[Greimann]

[quote name='NothFL968' date='Apr 15 2005, 11:50 AM']All I know so far is what I read . . . from page 68 - 23 of the 968 workshop manual:

[right][post="3302"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post][/right][/quote]



Hey! I don't have those pages! Do you have a hardcopy manual?

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[Anchorman]

The challenge is the "locally made tool". AFAIK, that's the Bosch hammer.

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[apex]

[quote name='Anchorman' date='Apr 15 2005, 03:49 PM']The challenge is the "locally made tool".  AFAIK, that's the Bosch hammer.

[right][post="3306"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post][/right][/quote]



we should start a "tool club" and pass the hammer around!

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[SANDOVAL]

I think that is a great Idea... I will keep my eyes open for one on ebay I have seen them a few times over the years. I think it would be a great investment for the forum.



Eric

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[Greimann]

Well I think there is some important information in Mr. NorthFL968's comment because those pages are not in my CD version nor in any of the posted supplements.



If this "tool" is a simple lash up of wires and a switch, them you can bet I'll have the soldering iron out.



Mr. NorthFL968 - anyd details on the tool? Can you scan or output the relevent pages?

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[Greimann]

OK, found the pages in the 944 manual. Sadly I believe this won't work for the 968, however, if I ever get an airbag light, you can believe I am going to try it!

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[apex]

[quote name='Greimann' date='Apr 15 2005, 09:47 PM']OK, found the pages in the 944 manual. Sadly I believe this won't work for the 968, however, if I ever get an airbag light, you can believe I  am going to try it!

[right][post="3314"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post][/right][/quote]



Yeah my tech also has said a while ago that the 944 jumper-between-coupla-pins-of-the-diagnostic-receptacle won't work for a 968. But Greimann you should verify that if you get the chance! <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/tongue.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />

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[NothFL968]

The "locally made tool" is a piece of wire. Porsche would have you put a terminal lug on one end, a momentary-contact switch in the middle, and a grounding clamp on the far end.



As for 944 v. 968, I'm feeling my way through this, too. Heck, I'm having trouble finding my original citation -- so many volumes and supplements. More to come.

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[apex]

Bump! I've got a new clockspring on order for my wheel - hoping this is where my trouble lies. However, as I understand it, even if this is a fix, I'll still need to have the circuit re-set. Trouble is, my local dealer does NOT have the Bosch tool... I'd like to avoid driving 200 miles just to re-set the light <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/wacko.gif" class="smilie" alt="" /> so Todd? anyone? <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/biggrin.gif" class="smilie" alt="" /> if you're making any progress on a home-brew reset tool I'd love to resurrect this thread...

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[Greimann]

[quote name='apex' date='Jul 18 2005, 10:39 AM']..Trouble is, my local dealer does NOT have the Bosch tool...

[right][post="7508"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post][/right][/quote]

What they probably do have is a more sophisticated diagnostic computer that can do the same thing. If they are a Porsche service center, they will have the capability to reset the light.

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