997 Airbag de-activation - Options?

[Ed T]

Hi all - my 05 C2S did not come with the switch - found the OEM kit online. Been quoted 3-4 hrs labor to install - so all in all the addition of this will be c.£600. I will use this once / twice a month in the summer only for my 4-year-old. Let's say 10 times a year max.

1. Has anyone done this? Is it an easier install than suggested?
2. Is the alternative of pulling the fuse for these instances likely to require an airbag reset to get them all working when it's just me - Therefore not a recommended workaround

Thanks

Ed

[noneedtolift]

Hi Ed,

it is a very easy job - the switch alone is the easy bit, it is the "airbag off warning light" that takes the longest as the center console needs to come out for that.

In case you just like to be able to switch the passenger airbag off - when asking for quotes, make sure that the garage knows that you DONT want the isofix bar for the passenger job (unless you do of course :-)) as this takes by far the longest and hence costs most (seat needs taking out and taking apart).

Hope this helps. Kind regards, Felix

[RiccardoG]

Some good ideas above. Why would you switch off the airbag for a 4yr old though? I thought it was only recommended on 0-3 yrs?

[Ed T]

Thanks Felix very helpful

Door Sticker says 0-12 must de-activate or they might die!

Done some research and actually advised to push seat back and keep on with a forward facing seat. I assume no airbag is also not safe.

I will ponder it

[noneedtolift]

Ed T said:

Thanks Felix very helpful

Door Sticker says 0-12 must de-activate or they might die!

Done some research and actually advised to push seat back and keep on with a forward facing seat. I assume no airbag is also not safe.

I will ponder it

997 has no out of position sensing airbags, so it will always fire for an adult being in the correct position.... So i wouldn't mess with that and play it safe. If they say to switch off for 0-12 year olds I wouldn't take the risk!

You can always just install the switch and leave the warning lamp (illegal and you need to remember to switch it back on but I imagine a post it on the glove box would do as a reminder). Literally a five minute job then, but think I remember it needed coding in OPC (or someone with a PIWS) so not sure if they will do it without the lamp....

In case you do trackdays - if you hit something this will also safe you about 3k as you won't need a new dash and airbag with it switched off :-)