Pelican Technical Article: Porsche Child Seat Installation Wayne R. Dempsey
Time: 1 hr
Tab: $250
Talent:
Tools:
Torx socket set
Applicable Models:
986 Boxster (1997-04) 987 Boxster (2005-08)
Parts Required:
Air bag deactivation bar
Hot Tip:
If you're planning on installing the on-board computer, have the dealer activate that at the same time
Performance Gain:
Ability to take your driver-in-training along
Complementary Modification:
Add on-board computer
This article is one in a series that have been released in conjunction with Wayne's new book, 101 Performance Projects for Your Porsche Boxster. The book contains 312 pages of full color projects detailing everything from performance mods to changing your brake pads. With more than 950+ full-color glossy photos accompanying extensive step-by-step procedures, this book is required reading in any Boxster owner's collection. The book is currently available and in stock now. See The Official Book Website for more details.
Check out some other sample projects from the book:
One of the first projects I performed on my Boxster was the installation of the Porsche factory airbag deactivation bar, so that I could take my 3-year old son along for rides. If you're not familiar with the process of preparing the car so that you can disable the airbag, it can be very confusing. In reality, it's very easy to do, as I explain here.
The deactivation bar is nothing more than a metal bar that holds a buckle attached to the bottom of the passenger seat (PN: 996-803-083-02). The kit from Porsche comes complete with the bar/buckle assembly, and two longer bolts that replace the existing bolts which fasten the passenger seat to the chassis. This new buckle contains an electrical switch that connects to a plug under the passenger seat. All of the Porsche factory child seats have a seat belt receptacle that plugs into this buckle. When this belt is plugged in, the electrical switch is activated, and it tells the airbag computer to shut off the air bag in the car.
Installation is a snap. Simply remove the two Torx bolts that hold the seat to the chassis, slide in the bar, and then install the new bolts to reattach the bar and seat assembly. Refer to Photo 2 for the proper orientation of the buckle (it is possible to install it upside down). Plug in the connector to the empty connection under the seat. The last step is that you need to have the Child seat occupancy turned on by using the factory Porsche System Tester 2 (PST2), which you can typically only find at the Porsche dealers. Some dealers will charge for performing this task, others will do it for free. It takes about five minutes total to set.
The problem with this airbag deactivation system is that it only works with Porsche factory child seats, as they are the only ones that come with the special buckle attached. For my own application, I did not use a Porsche factory seat, but instead used a different seat, and attached the buckle from a factory seat to the bottom of my seat. I got this buckle from an old factory seat that a friend of mine had that was too big for my 3-year old. In the same manner as the factory seat, I attach and plug in the buckle when I install the child seat into the car. I then confirm that the airbag is disabled by checking the light on the dash (see Figure 1). I have not been able to locate this buckle or receptacle separately, but the TRW part numbers are: 33000311 35 06 / 99680328302 for the buckle, and 56030A (part number on metal) / 7670842 (part number on plastic).
Airbags are life-saving devices, however they can be deadly to small children. Regardless of how you install your child seat into the car, exercise extreme caution and always check that the airbag is disabled (via the blinking lamp on the dash: see Figure 2) prior to driving the car. For more information see also Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) 15/98 6923 Porsche Child Restraint System - Installation (dated 3-7-2000).
For 2005 and later cars, Porsche used a similar, but slightly more complicated system. Dubbed the Child Seat Fastener System, the kit includes fastening loops and lower anchorage points for mounting between the seat surface and backrest, as well as a key switch for deactivation of the passenger side air bag (PN: 997-044-800-15). Starting with 2006, the Boxster seats have a weight sensing system that is supposed to turn off the airbag if there isn't an adult sitting in the seat. But, these can be less-than-reliable when the weight of a car seat is added into the equation: I recommend installing the air bag deactivation key switch. See the 101Projects.com website for more information and installation instructions.
Figure 1
This photo shows the Porsche airbag deactivation bar. This part is simply a metal bar with a seat belt receptacle attached. Porsche branded child seats come with a buckle attached to the front of the seat (upper right inset). This buckle piece (yellow arrow) mates with the receptacle attached to the bar (red arrow) and activates an electrical switch that turns off the airbag. The electrical connector (blue arrow) needs to be mated with an open connector that is located beneath the passenger seat. When the buckle is plugged in, the airbag lamp on the dashboard will blink repeatedly for 10 seconds or 60 seconds (cars manufactured after 03/31/1999) to inform you that the passenger side airbag is properly disabled.
This photo shows the airbag deactivation bar installed in the passenger seat. Note the direction of the plastic clips on the buckle (green arrow). New, longer mounting screws for the seats come with the bar kit, as the bar is attached to the top of the seat mount (blue arrows). The electrical connection for the airbag is located under the seat (lower right photo).
Shown here is the Porsche factory System Tester 2. This computer needs to be plugged into your car to turn on the Child seat occupancy setting in the airbag computer of the Boxster. I'm not sure why this wasn't turned on by default, but most dealers will perform this 5-minute task for free or for a nominal charge.
Comments: There is one on the 986forum.com for sale, also check craiglist in Los Angeles - saw one for sale recently. good luck
September 21, 2011
danrowland
Comments: I need to find a used baby seat for 2 to 6 year olds
August 5, 2011
Followup from the Pelican Staff: Yup, Porsche doesn't make these anymore. I would check eBay, or simply put a WANTED ad in our classifieds section of the Pelican Parts Forums. - Wayne at Pelican Parts
leeclanual
Comments: Can someone give me the part number for the two bolts that are used to hold the deactivation bar in place?
June 16, 2011
Followup from the Pelican Staff: The part number for the 1997-04 Boxster and 98-2005 996 is 999-073-023-08, and it's an M10x35 Torx bolt. - Wayne at Pelican Parts
Check out some other sample projects from the book:
