Removal of steering wheel with airbag?

michael2e · 09-26-2001, 05:35 PM

Do any of you know how to gain access to the instrument cluster on a later model (1988) 951 equipped with a steering wheel airbag? Have to get at an apparent short in the oil level circuit in the left guage that causes the engine oil light(and hence warning light) to stay on all the time. I'm not sure how to get the steering wheel off (assuming this is necessary.)
Yes, there's plenty of oil, the pressure guage reads 5 bar while driving, and the engine otherwise runs perfect. I've tried disconnecting the wire from the oil level sender at the bottom of the pan without any success.Any other thoughts to get around this annoyance to get those warning lights out would be appreciated

Thanks. Glad to see so many other 944/951 enthusiasts!

Allldi · Allldi's Garage

I'm not sure how to get the steering wheel with the airbag off. Actually, I would like to know myself. Anyway, are you sure you have enough oil in the engine? It is possible for the engine to run 5 bars of pressure under load even if the oil level is slightly below the minimum. The pressure gauge and the oil level light are two different things. I'm not trying to insult your intelligence, but you may want to check your oil level with the dipstick before you go taking apart your gauge cluster. If you meant that you have checked your oil level with the dipstick when you said "Yes, there's plenty of oil, the pressure guage reads 5 bar while driving" then disregard this post. Sorry I couldn't help you with the steering wheel.

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Ryan
1991 944S2 coupe

michael2e · 09-26-2001, 06:36 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Allldi:
I'm not sure how to get the steering wheel with the airbag off. Actually, I would like to know myself. Anyway, are you sure you have enough oil in the engine? It is possible for the engine to run 5 bars of pressure under load even if the oil level is slightly below the minimum. The pressure gauge and the oil level light are two different things. I'm not trying to insult your intelligence, but you may want to check your oil level with the dipstick before you go taking apart your gauge cluster. If you meant that you have checked your oil level with the dipstick when you said "Yes, there's plenty of oil, the pressure guage reads 5 bar while driving" then disregard this post. Sorry I couldn't help you with the steering wheel.

thanks for the response. Yes, the oil level (by dipstick) is normal. I've tried changing the oil (5.5 quarts), using 20w/50, and even overfilling a half quart to no avail.

kingjp914 · 10-12-2001, 08:58 AM

I'm looking to remove my airbag steering wheel to fit a new leather wheel covering on it and I can't seem to find anyone who knows how to remove it. This post came up in my search but it didn't answer the problem. Anyone out there know?

PrerYDoG · 10-12-2001, 10:33 AM

WOAH...5.5 Quarts in a 951? I don't think so, check the manual again! 7.5 quarts go in a 951.

As for getting to the instrument cluster, you do not need to remove the steering wheel (done it myself), you can un screw it all and slide the cluster out (takes a little maneuvering) with the steering wheel still on.

FIA-F1 · 10-12-2001, 12:18 PM

Eugene Yu had some instructions on taking off the steering wheel to get at some instrumentation bulbs not long ago. He's got a posting a few pages back - contact him.

944pete · 944pete's Garage

This website has the info on how to remove an airbag steering wheel http://www.944s2.com/

Pete

EugeneYu · 10-12-2001, 12:30 PM

Remove airbag?
1, Take off airbag by loosing two alen bolts (don't remember the size) on the back of airbag (steering wheel)assembly.

2, Remove the airbag carefully. There is a wire behind

3, Unplug the airbag connector.

4, When you put it back on, give two bolts good tightup. Otherwise the bag will make noise on your wheel.

Very easy, takes about 5 minutes.

The circuit behind instrument cluster is printed circuit. I would think it's very hard to fix. You may be able to clean it and check the bulb. That pretty much all you can do. At least I think that it's much harder to fix circuit than take the wheel off.

Eugene

[This message has been edited by EugeneYu (edited 10-12-2001).]

Britwrench · 10-12-2001, 12:40 PM

Hmmmm..

First of you need to disconnect the battery and wait 20 mins first!

EugeneYu · 10-12-2001, 12:45 PM

I've taken airbag off and on at lease 4 times without disconnecting the battery. Nothing happened to me so far. BTW I did take ignition key off.

Britwrench · 10-12-2001, 03:31 PM

Lucky you, Yu..for the moment, air bags and connected batteries have a nasty habit of doing unexpected things at the wrong times.
Always disconnect and wait 20 minutes.