Hey everyone. The airbag light came on a little while ago. I've had it checked and it is definitely drivers side. I have my MOT soon and was wondering if anyone new any simple problems it could be that i couldd look at myself? I've found second-hand units for a fair price but dont want to replace the lot if it might not be that or something cheaper.

Thanks for any help,

Nick

What was the fault code?? with this you can pin the fault down better

What was the fault code?? with this you can pin the fault down better

I have the fault code at home. I will post this up after i have got home from work in few hours :) Thanks!

Was the code cleared? It could be something that's sorted itself ie voltage, bad connection etc.

Was the code cleared? It could be something that's sorted itself ie voltage, bad connection etc.

I haven't had it cleared, no. I had my recovery company test it a while ago and there write up is as follows. "588 Airbag driver side n95 value of resistance too great." Does this mean much to anyone? I read somewhere that someone had this problem and it was the ground plugs were loose on the airbag and they reseated it? Not entirely sure what this means either sorry to say..

Again any help offered is much appreciated! :)

Thanks.

Remove the lower shroud from the steering column and check the yellow connector #1

If thats OK Remove the airbag and check the connector

Airbag, steering wheel, steering column

Removing and installing driver's airbag unit 10.99 >

Removing

‒ Disconnect battery earth strap.

‒ Release steering column adjustment.

‒ Turn steering wheel -1 - until horizontal steering wheel spokes are vertical. Pull out steering column completely and press down to lowest position.

‒ Insert a screwdriver with approx. 5 mm wide blade and angled to give a length of 55 mm, from the back side into hole in steering wheel hub.

‒ Turn screwdriver through 90°, thereby pushing securing ring -2- off locking lugs in steering wheel hub and thereby releasing airbag unit on this side.

‒ Turn steering wheel back 180° and release second locking lug on opposite side.

If that's OK next the "Slip ring" contacts

Airbag, steering wheel, steering column

Removing and installing coil connector with slip ring 10.99>

Removing

● Driver's airbag, steering wheel and lower steering column switch trim removed.

‒ Separate single connector for horn and connector from coil connector with slip ring.

‒ → Unscrew Phillips screws -1- and pull coil connector with slip ring -2- off the steering wheel.

Note:

◆ When removing and installing the coil connector with slip ring, ensure that the coil connector is in the centre position.

◆ As a new part the coil connector with slip ring is secured in the centre position by a cable tie.

Installing:

Installation is carried out in the reverse sequence, when doing this note the following:

‒ After installing the airbag steering wheel first switch on ignition, then connect battery earth strap.

Warning!

Ensure that no one is in the vehicle when connecting the battery earth strap.

If these are all OK must be the airbag itself

Remove the lower shroud from the steering column and check the yellow connector #1

If thats OK Remove the airbag and check the connector

Airbag, steering wheel, steering column

Removing and installing driver's airbag unit 10.99 >

Removing

‒ Disconnect battery earth strap.

‒ Release steering column adjustment.

‒ Turn steering wheel -1 - until horizontal steering wheel spokes are vertical. Pull out steering column completely and press down to lowest position.

‒ Insert a screwdriver with approx. 5 mm wide blade and angled to give a length of 55 mm, from the back side into hole in steering wheel hub.

‒ Turn screwdriver through 90°, thereby pushing securing ring -2- off locking lugs in steering wheel hub and thereby releasing airbag unit on this side.

‒ Turn steering wheel back 180° and release second locking lug on opposite side.

If that's OK next the "Slip ring" contacts

Airbag, steering wheel, steering column

Removing and installing coil connector with slip ring 10.99>

Removing

● Driver's airbag, steering wheel and lower steering column switch trim removed.

‒ Separate single connector for horn and connector from coil connector with slip ring.

‒ → Unscrew Phillips screws -1- and pull coil connector with slip ring -2- off the steering wheel.

Note:

◆ When removing and installing the coil connector with slip ring, ensure that the coil connector is in the centre position.

◆ As a new part the coil connector with slip ring is secured in the centre position by a cable tie.

Installing:

Installation is carried out in the reverse sequence, when doing this note the following:

‒ After installing the airbag steering wheel first switch on ignition, then connect battery earth strap.

Warning!

Ensure that no one is in the vehicle when connecting the battery earth strap.

If these are all OK must be the airbag itself

Thanks for the brilliant information! I shal get stuck into this soon and let you know how it goes! Thanks again.

Just to add to this, it is often the 'slip-ring' sometimes called the 'clock-ring' in the 6n2 (item labelled 2 above) - it's a bunch of coiled wires in a plastic housing and they break internally with time.

Do note that you will need a fully registered copy of VAG-COM to extinguish the airbag life even after replacement.

It's a real pain in the bum and I would suggest taking to an independent to lessen the headache (and let them carry the risk of airbags exploding).

PoloD.

Edited 15 June, 201313 yr by PoloD