Me and my friend are here having a discussion about this

We bought a crashed 987, that we deemed easy to repair, but it had the airbags deployed. We changed all airbags and seat tensioners.
Do you need a new airbag module (ECU) or you can just reset the existing one to reset the light and have a fully functional airbag system?


Thanks in advance

 

The best source would be Porsche. From my Turbo factory repair manual -- which I suspect may be what Porsche calls for regarding the 987.

Airbag on driver side: The contact unit and the airbag (of course) should be replaced.

Airbag deployed on passenger side: Airbag unit passenger side and triggering unit after the 3rd time the airbag is triggered.

Side airbag: The side airbag unit and the sensor for the side airbag unit after teh 3rd time the side airbag is triggered.

Belt tensioner: both sides, after triggering one or more airbag units, all belt tensioner units should be replaced. Becauses it is difficult to visually determine if one or both belt tensioners have triggered (?), check the following points: Read out the airbag fault memory with the PST. Check plug connection on the belt tensioner for damage. Pull out the belt strap as far as possible and check for wear. Perform a function test on the automatic belt device.

There are pages of instructions/cautions regarding proper handling of airbags which have not deployed and if they must be disposed of how to do this right. They are pyrotechnical devices and can't be just dumped in the trash can.

There is concern about all the wiring from the trigger sensor the airbag control module and the airbag trigger unit.

I dare say properly repairing a car with triggered airbags is not a trivial task and one that must be done correctly to ensure these critical safety devices work when they are supposed to.

My Cayman S was struck just ahead of the driver side a pillar and both the steering wheel airbag and the passenger air bag deployed. Also both seat belt pre tensioners. It was an amazing experience to see a car looming from out of nowhere -- I was stopped to make a right hand turn -- and to experience the impact but to feel the belts tighten up and to find one's face pressed against a nice soft warm pillow. And to get out the car (which was totaled) with no injuries to my passenger or myself.