Airbag reset for the S2: Hammer or not?

[tomfree]

The rennlist forums have let me down...I'm getting conflicting info on whether or not my '89 S2 needs the Bosch Hammer to do the airbag light reset. I've searched Rennlist and seen conflicting info. Some say all S2's need the hammer, and others say the 89 and 90 don't, but the 91 does.

I've been standing on my head for the last 2 hours trying to find the mysterious "3 pin molex connector" described in the Clarks-garage how-to. I've found 3 seperate control modules in the passenger footwell, and nary a molex connector hanging off of any of them. I give up.

A. Does anyone know for sure if I need the hammer?
B. Can anyone recommend a shop (or person) that will reset the light for me? I'd strongly prefer Gaithersburg/Rockville/Germantown/Bethesda area.

[jerome951]

I was able to reset my '89 Turbo w/o the Hammer. I can't imagine the factory using a different controlling system on the different cars but I guess it's possible.

On my car, the connector was on top of a thick bundle of wiring under the glovebox. Took me a while to find, too. Yours may be covered w/ factory electical tape so might need to do some digging to find it.

Once you find the connector, the reset procedure is easy while sitting in the passenger seat (assuming the Hammer isn't needed).

[KevinOyler]

I doubt there is any difference between '89 models either. The connector is small, rectangular with 3 female connectors. It is difficult to locate, but it is up there near the top of the wiring bundle. Also be aware that the reset instructions have an error in them at the end. Try doing the opposite of what the directions say to do with the key at the last step. It didn't work for me following the directions exactly. Can you say trial and error?

[tomfree]

Thanks gentlemen...I did not unwrap any of the bundled wiring, so it's probably embedded in there. I love how the directions just say that the connector will be randomly hanging from the DME in plain sight.

I love learning, but I hate being a noob. Ironic, eh?