Audi deployed airbag

[steveyruss]

Hi guys.

I had a slight accident last week: I clipped a curb whilst driving home in my A3. The drivers side tyre and alloy I had to replace. The local garage had a look at it underneath and said everything looked normal. However, my drivers side curtain airbag was deployed and the airbag light is now on. I'm wondering what exactly is the cheapest way to fix this. I bought a brand new airbag and had it delivered online. Will I have to buy a new headliner too once I rip it off to put the new one in?

Thanks in advance,
Steve

[Guest 2]

From reading online and quoting my distant memory, you will need to do something with the Airbag ECU, more than likely an Audi job though to get this reset.

I know on a colleagues Pug 307, the airbag ecu had to be reset after blowing the seatbelt pre-tensioners.

NHN, Crasher et all will be able to comment further than me!

[steveyruss]

Hello Chris. Thanks for the reply. From what I understand the crash data will have to be reset at some point to pass the next MOT. I'm trying to cut the costs down by doing much of it myself. The airbag looks to be basically plug in and play, however, I don't want to rip off the headliner and not be able to reattach it. I was wondering if any had any experience with removing the headliner and whether it could be reused or whether I have to buy a new one too.

[NHN]

Airbag ecu will need resetting or replaced, along with possibly an airbag sensor depending what signalled deployment, vcds will advise, however you just need to drop the lining, remove old curtain bag, fit new & test with vcds that it sees this fitted ok, then refit lining, nothing needs ripping as such unless curtains damaged anything, but until ecu etc is sorted, lights will remain, no cheap fix overall.

[steveyruss]

Airbag ecu will need resetting or replaced, along with possibly an airbag sensor depending what signalled deployment, vcds will advise, however you just need to drop the lining, remove old curtain bag, fit new & test with vcds that it sees this fitted ok, then refit lining, nothing needs ripping as such unless curtains damaged anything, but until ecu etc is sorted, lights will remain, no cheap fix overall.

Can I ask you why you think the sensors will need replacing? The last thing I want to do is send to a garage to see a specialist when the airbags are plug in and play. I don't see the point in changing the module when it can be reset with the right software. I'm hoping to fit it back myself and then resetting the module.

[NHN]

I said "possibly" replace airbag sensor, if its not usable again as a sensor detected the impact & maybe this has been damaged in the process, hence why you need to scan with vcds to see what airbag module has detected.

Yes they are pnp, but also belt tensioners may be a issue here, various sensors are involved in impact sensing, the module will maybe need to be removed & sent away, I don't know if they can do in situ over the obd port, hence why I also advised it may need replacing, if it cant be reset.

[steveyruss]

I said "possibly" replace airbag sensor, if its not usable again as a sensor detected the impact & maybe this has been damaged in the process, hence why you need to scan with vcds to see what airbag module has detected.

Yes they are pnp, but also belt tensioners may be a issue here, various sensors are involved in impact sensing, the module will maybe need to be removed & sent away, I don't know if they can do in situ over the obd port, hence why I also advised it may need replacing, if it cant be reset.

Ok, thanks for the warning. I will keep it in mind when I take a better look at it later this week.