Initial Inspection and Diagnostic Overview

General Information

NOTE: As of model year 2002, the front three-point belt will be fitted with a belt tensioner as standard.

The following points must be observed during vehicle diagnosis:
- After the battery is connected, volatile memories must be reprogrammed. In the case of radio coding and tuning, the customer must be informed of decoding and the deleted tuner memory.
- After troubleshooting or repairs, erase the fault memory with the Porsche System Tester II 9588 and carry out a test drive.
- After the test drive, read out the fault memory with the Porsche System Tester II 9588 again.

General information on the fault memory

NOTE:
- A period of 10 seconds is required to enable the triggering unit to identify all faults in the system. In order to guarantee that every possible fault source is checked during the vehicle test, the ignition must be switched on for at least 10 seconds.
- The fault memory must be cleared following a fault in the airbag system and after it has been remedied.
- The replacement of a component must be noted in the Guarantee and Maintenance booklet: To do this, attach the documentation number in a free panel intended for that purpose. The documentation number is attached to the replacement part as a tear-off sticker.

NOTE: If the fault memory is cleared, the ignition must be switched off, the ignition key removed and the ignition switched on again in order to check the fault path. Only in this way is another self-test carried out.

The following components must be removed and replaced following an accident in which the airbag system was triggered:
- Contact unit
- Triggered airbag unit(s)

The triggering unit must be replaced after the airbag is triggered for the third time.

Fault code setting conditions
Fault codes can be set in several circumstances, e.g.:
- Battery disconnected
- Plug connections disconnected
- Faulty coding
- Power failure
- etc.

In these circumstances, no fault is present in the system and the fault memory must be erased.

Fault memory Info key F8
In order to be able to assess the fault exactly, the fault memory Info key F8 must be pressed. This information should be saved using the Save key F4 and printed out. If a fault code is stored with a "not present" status and no other problems are present, then the fault memory must be erased.

Fault type/Fault occurrence
Open circuit/short circuit to ground There is (present) or was (not present) a short circuit to ground or an open circuit in the circuit to the control module terminal.

Short circuit to B+ There is (present) or was (not present) a short circuit to voltage.

Below limit value Resistance too low.
Wiring leak e.g. short circuit to ground, faulty component.

Above limit value Resistance too high e.g. open circuit, component faulty.

Start Shows the time elapsed since the fault first occurred (present). If the fault occurs again, the clock continues.

Stop Shows the time elapsed since the fault was first remedied (not present). If the fault occurs again, the clock continues.

Fault occurrence
The fault occurs in the following way:
- Statically (i.e. once)
- Sporadically (i.e. more than once)

Fault status
The following status types are possible:
- Present (at the time of the last diagnostic routine)
- Not present (at the time of the last diagnostic routine)