audihead

so this is my story... im trying to fix my airbag light for safety inspection issues...

1st i had 2 fault codes: 01222 crash sensor passenger side open circuit ans;
01228 **not sure exactly will have to check the receipt i printed the 1st time i had it scanned** either that or 01218, it said: passenger side igniter resistance too great/high....

so then i do my research online and found this: DIY - Fix that damn airbag warning light once and for all - AudiForums.com

so i change the oem yellow/purple connectors, nd replace them with female/male nylon 14-16 gauge connectors (maybe i shouldnt have done that :S)





then i was able to clear 1 code, the passenger side igniter resistance too high was gone...
so now i only had the crash sensor open circuit that wouldnt go... so only then (stupid as i am, i never searched the actual codes online til then) i figured i needed a new passenger side crash sensor, i managed to locate it under the carpet, and replace it with a good one i found a scrap yard, i crimped both wires with butt connectors, going to the connector on the good sensor, since the old connector's wire was all corroded, couldnt managed to disconnected it form the sensor


didnt take picture of the sensor after it was replaced... so then i scan it, and the 2 codes are still there (the side igniter resistance too high came bck)
so i managed to clear the crash sensor open circuit, but the side igniter resistance too great/high kept coming back the next day (cleared it 3x, in 2 weeks span) i have to wiggle the new nylon connectors under the seat to clear the resistance too high code( if i dnt, itll clear but be right there if i press read codes again), but it keeps coming back after a few times starting the car( thats what the guys at the safety inspection did to make sure, the problem is really fix, nd i havnt just cleared the codes without actually fixing the issue...

so now at this point i just want it to pass safety, ive read that u can insert a 4.7ohm resistor into the wires, nd that will trick the computer and fix the resistance too high code: VWVortex.com - Airbag Fault code #01218
but i dont really understand how id do that with my male/female connectors... i got this formula from there (link below) :r1 x r2 / r1 + r2 = gives you the ability to create lower ohm resistors that usually available.
VWVortex.com - 2 Ohm resistor - airbag light

anyways so now im positive my problem is either the male/female connectors are causing too much resistance due to the friction when u connect them (i think i might have plugged them together to tight) or its the wiring from the crash sensor under the carpet to the the connectors under the bench... im debating on what should i do to pass the safety, either inserting a 4.7ohm resistor into the wires (temporary solution), crimping butt connectors instead of the nylon male/female ones, or soldering and adding heat shrink tubing over the connection points: VWVortex.com - HOW TO: Perform your airbag TSB

i dnt really want to solder, but if its what it takes ill do it....
can some1 please give me some insights, and his 2cents, ty
and whats the best gauge of wire i should use, if i were to change the whole wiring from the sensor under the carpet to under the bench? seems the airbag wires are 22gauge from what ive seen using my ''cheap'' crimping tool, 22, is that correct?

thx again

audihead

update***
problem solved! i temporary installed a 4.7ohm resistor i bought at the source/radioshack onto the wires coming from carpet under the seat, nd it worked out fine



turns out the crimping job i did with the 18-16 gauge male/female nylon connector wasnt good, the gauge was too big, so the wire wouldnt stay in place, it came out as i was unwrapping the electric tape i had wrapped around the connnectors/wires.... i bought some smaller butt connectors instead of the nylon, not sure yet if ill put 20-22 gauge male/female nylon connectors instead of butt connectors, but most likely yes... i dnt really like the fact that u have the cut everything and re-crimp/re-solder, if i want to take out the seat....

anyways its an easy fix, just make sure, u have the right size connectors, so everything is tight, nd will stay secure in place...