Airbag light on

[cp10]

Hi all,
I've seen this problem a few times, so I'm sure regular uses of the site are probably sick of reading another one of these posts! Anyway, basically, the airbag light is staying on, nothing else is effected, but as of this year this year is an MOT failure.. Related to another issue, I know that there is an issue with the osf airbag (the one in the drivers seat). I was told by Audi that it would cost £750 to replace, so at the time I passed up on their offer. Anyway, it now looks like I will have to sort it out. I've seen online guides on how to replace this, it doesn't look too difficult and the parts are a fraction of the cost I was quoted. I'm really wondering if anyone knows of a garage that would be able to sort this out for a more reasonable price? I've got 10 days to get the work done, and I'm based in Coventry.

Cheers.

[NickPicks]

Are you sure it's an issue with the airbag? The common fault is that the plugs under the seat come a bit loose and break the contact.

I'd try unplugging and reconnecting the plugs before parting with £750. Then I'd buy a whole seat off ebay and fit that.

Have you had a fault code read to see that it is that turning the light on?

[mjhamilton]

as above.. mine had the airbag light come on a then go off during a long drive (it has not come on since) - diag shows bad/intermittent signal on passenger seat airbag - it hasn't come back since bit I am confident it is the connecter with some fur in it

There are a lot of posts out there on the interwebs on how to fix, also Audi themselves have a retro fit wiring kit just for this purpose

[cp10]

Thanks for the replies. It certainly seems that replacing the seat would be easier if the airbag is at fault!
I know the connections are a common problem. My understanding is that I'd need to unplug, clean and reconnect these. Then I'd have to clear the error codes using a vag scanner, and then start the car, either the light goes off and all's well, or it stays on, and the airbag does have a fault.
I'm assuming vag scanners are all pretty much the same (the car's a 2003 old model a3 1.9tdi sport), so something like this (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VAG-Scanner-Engine-ABS-Airbag-Diagnostic-Scan-Tool-VW-Seat-Skoda-Audi-COM-Reset-/281205178560?pt=UK_Diagnostic_Tools_Equipment&hash=item41792280c0) would do? I was surprised mjhmilton's light went off though, I thought that once the error was recorded that was it?

As for the error code, basically I had a problem earlier in the year where the alarm kept going off (another common fault apparently...). I had to take it to the Audi garage as no one else would touch it. There they also investigated the airbag fault. All I have in the printout however is "noted airbag light stays on, ran gff, 1 fault stored for front seat airbag. Needs osf airbag and recheck."

Anyway, thanks again for the advice. If the above sounds about right, please do let me know and I'll order a vag scanner and have a go myself.

[mjhamilton]

if this is a one off - you can order an ebay cable for less than a tenner and use VCD-Lite to read and clear the codes - the free version of the app will give you this capability - if you later need to do more advanced stuff then you can consider buying the full VCDS system

Just a thought

[crackpotterpig]

I fixed the airbag light being on, I think mine was down to the working under the passenger seat, I removed the instrument cluster (2 screws, really easy to remove) and took the dial plastic front cover off anf put a nice precission cut piece of electrical tape over the airbag warning lamp.
Re assemble and you cant even see the tape when its back together!!

[NickPicks]

I fixed the airbag light being on, I think mine was down to the working under the passenger seat, I removed the instrument cluster (2 screws, really easy to remove) and took the dial plastic front cover off anf put a nice precission cut piece of electrical tape over the airbag warning lamp.
Re assemble and you cant even see the tape when its back together!!

Hmmm, so when there is a real fault with an airbag, the first you'll know about it is when it fails to inflate during a collision?

Or, more,likely, when it fails the MOT under section5.4. Reason for rejection 2: "A SRS malfunction indicator lamp indicating a system malfunction"

Surely sorting out the plugs would have been easier than dismantling the instrument cluster?

[Sam]

Hmmm, so when there is a real fault with an airbag, the first you'll know about it is when it fails to inflate during a collision?

The 4 rings forehead imprint makes up for that and you'd never have to explain what marque you drove to anyone ever again.

[crackpotterpig]

only reason for failure on the mot is warning light indicates a fault so its not checked for operation ie if the light comes on and goes off, I agree about the collision issue but I dont intend on crashing!! :)

[Sam]

only reason for failure on the mot is warning light indicates a fault so its not checked for operation ie if the light comes on and goes off, I agree about the collision issue but I dont intend on crashing!! :)

Not true I'm afraid. An MOT can be rejected if the SRS malfunction indicator lamp is inoperative. Taping over it renders it inoperative and should be classed as a fail.

As for not intending to crash, other than the brainless scum who crash for cash, I doubt anyone intends to crash - sadly you can't control the driving ability of others.

[crackpotterpig]

not rue the lamp has to indicate a fault the lamp not illuminating is not a fail
please click on the link for further info
MOT testing manuals and guides (http://www.transportoffice.gov.uk/crt/doitonline/bl/mottestingmanualsandguides/mottestingmanualsandguides.htm)

[green A8]

Very true 'crackpotterpig' I was told the same by the MOT tester who recently passed our oldest surviving B5 saloon. However I wasn't happy with not having a functioning airbag light, so I removed the cluster and replaced the bulb, No faults were found on Vag Com it was just a clapped out old style bulb at fault. One new bulb, and all's well again now. I'm sorry to say that blacking out the warning light with tape is simply a bodge, far better to cure the problem than disguise it. You never know when you might need that airbag. As I understand it (and I could be wrong),if the airbag warning light's illuminated then the entire airbag system is inoperative, not what you need in the event of a crash! There must be a breakers yard out there that would sell you a seat with a fault free airbag surely? Replacing the seat could be the best investment you ever make.

[Sam]

From Mr Pig's link;

(http://www.motuk.co.uk/manual_540.htm)http://www.motinfo.gov.uk/htdocs/m4s05000401.htm


Which doesn't agree with;

MOT information - Supplementary Restraint Systems (SRS) (http://www.motuk.co.uk/manual_540.htm)


Reason for rejection

1.An airbag obviously missing or defective.


Note: A passenger airbag that has been switched off is not a Reason for Rejection.




2.
A Supplementary Restraint System (SRS) malfunction indicator lamp:


. inoperative


. indicating a system malfunction.

I'm more inclined to agree with the DVLA though so I'll concede this one - I still think it's foolish to eliminate a lamp and not the issue though.

[crackpotterpig]

never trust a non genuine website such motuk.co.uk
always goto the horses mouth !!
:zx11:

[NickPicks]

never trust a non genuine website such motuk.co.uk
always goto the horses mouth !!
:zx11:
Well, the Motuk one is dated January 2012, the motinfo one is dated April 2013 (which is the one I quoted).

I'd say that they both mean that a non-working light is indicating a malfunction:
A light on shows the system is malfunctioning (a fault exists and is probably stored)
A light which doesn't come on at all indicates a fault with the light, which is part of the system, so it's a system malfunction.

It's not stated as explicitly as the ABS light not illuminating, but it probably should be.

Still, if you don't intend to have an accident, and think you can drive defensively enough to avoid anyone else crashing into you, carry on with the sticky tape. A lot of us know from experience that other drivers aren't as careful as you are.

[crackpotterpig]

I do like a good discussion on the wording of the mot manual!!