Robert

Drazen Stojcic Buntovnik wrote:
> "LeakiestWink" <you.ARE.the.weakest.link@good.bye> wrote in message
> news:toqdnePjXo2fNBXbRVnyhgA@bt.com...
>
>>"Drazen Stojcic Buntovnik" <drazenMAKNI@stojcic.com> wrote in message
>>news:f68h7f$nt9$1@ss408.t-com.hr...
>>
>>>Hello,
>>>
>>>few days ago the Airbag lamp on the dashboard lit up and didn't go off
>>>after few seconds as usually. I'm guessing something is wrong with the
>>>airbag system, but I'm a bit concerned as to what kind of expense I can
>>>expect if I take it to the service? I'm pretty much broke atm, so I can't
>>>really afford some expensive repairs
>>>
>>>On the other hand, I have no idea as to what could've caused the problem.
>>>I didn't have an accident or anything like that, it's been pretty much
>>>just normal driving.
>>>
>>>I'm also wondering could it be it's just a signal to have the airbag
>>>system checked (the car is A4, year 2000.)?
>>
>>Well, the other replies haven't been particularly helpful!
>>
>>If your car has front seat belt tensioners (the bit the buckle clips into,
>>near the transmission tunnel), then these are the usual suspects. Either
>>the pyrotechnic "grabber" has failed (a relatively cheap item), or more
>>usually, the electrical connector under the base of the seat has an open
>>circuit. This can be either general electrical corrosion, or more often,
>>the connector gets disturbed by rear passenger feet, stowing objects under
>>the seat, or over-zealous vacuuming under the seat.
>>
>>Unfortunately, you will need a proper diagnostic check, either main
>>stealer, or a friend with VAG-COM (and your offering of a small case of
>>beer ). A simple clearing of the stored fault codes is often enough
>>to clear the airbag light.
>>
>>Whatever you do, do NOT try to unplug and reconnect the under-seat
>>connector, either with the ignition on, or with the battery connected, as
>>this will throw another DTC error code, store it in the ECU, and still
>>keep your airbag light on.
>>
>>Whilst the airbag light is illuminated, ALL SRS functions will be
>>disabled, irrespective of the "faulty" component, so please do get this
>>checked out and sorted.
>>
>>Rgds, Sean
>
>
>
> Thanks a bunch, this is all very usefull info. I suspect it might be the
> contact under the seat, since I sort of remember doing a very thorough
> cleaning of the car before the lamp went on
>
>
Hi Drazen,

You'll get a lot of postings here about what should be in principle be
true, without a lot of real experience on the part of the authors,
regarding the actual fault itself.

My small contribution: I got the airbag light after thumping the
steering wheel in frustrating heavy traffic one morning. It persisted
even after turning off the ignition and restarting.

Clearing the codes via the Bosch PC program (equal to but not the same
as VAG-COM) at my indy had no effect. In this case, the mechanic removed
the cowling to the steering wheel airbag, exposing the connecting wires,
replaced them, then reset the fault codes via the PC. Seems there was an
intermittent fault which was fixed by this simple action. This indy
workshop is a team of ex-Audi dealer mechanics who started up their own
business so their knowledge appears good. Given the risks for triggering
the system by accident, I was happy for the experts to do this instead
of me.

Conclusion - even if a fault light cannot be reset by software alone,
the hardware fix required to clear the problem may be quite simple, so
I'd always suggest going to a reputable indy (who has sufficient
diagnostic tools and experience) to see if the problem is relatively
simple and cheap to fix; you might be in for a pleasant surprise ...

/Robert (2001 A4 Avant 1,8 TS, 8D chassis)

Robert

Drazen Stojcic Buntovnik wrote:
> "LeakiestWink" <you.ARE.the.weakest.link@good.bye> wrote in message
> news:toqdnePjXo2fNBXbRVnyhgA@bt.com...
>
>>"Drazen Stojcic Buntovnik" <drazenMAKNI@stojcic.com> wrote in message
>>news:f68h7f$nt9$1@ss408.t-com.hr...
>>
>>>Hello,
>>>
>>>few days ago the Airbag lamp on the dashboard lit up and didn't go off
>>>after few seconds as usually. I'm guessing something is wrong with the
>>>airbag system, but I'm a bit concerned as to what kind of expense I can
>>>expect if I take it to the service? I'm pretty much broke atm, so I can't
>>>really afford some expensive repairs
>>>
>>>On the other hand, I have no idea as to what could've caused the problem.
>>>I didn't have an accident or anything like that, it's been pretty much
>>>just normal driving.
>>>
>>>I'm also wondering could it be it's just a signal to have the airbag
>>>system checked (the car is A4, year 2000.)?
>>
>>Well, the other replies haven't been particularly helpful!
>>
>>If your car has front seat belt tensioners (the bit the buckle clips into,
>>near the transmission tunnel), then these are the usual suspects. Either
>>the pyrotechnic "grabber" has failed (a relatively cheap item), or more
>>usually, the electrical connector under the base of the seat has an open
>>circuit. This can be either general electrical corrosion, or more often,
>>the connector gets disturbed by rear passenger feet, stowing objects under
>>the seat, or over-zealous vacuuming under the seat.
>>
>>Unfortunately, you will need a proper diagnostic check, either main
>>stealer, or a friend with VAG-COM (and your offering of a small case of
>>beer ). A simple clearing of the stored fault codes is often enough
>>to clear the airbag light.
>>
>>Whatever you do, do NOT try to unplug and reconnect the under-seat
>>connector, either with the ignition on, or with the battery connected, as
>>this will throw another DTC error code, store it in the ECU, and still
>>keep your airbag light on.
>>
>>Whilst the airbag light is illuminated, ALL SRS functions will be
>>disabled, irrespective of the "faulty" component, so please do get this
>>checked out and sorted.
>>
>>Rgds, Sean
>
>
>
> Thanks a bunch, this is all very usefull info. I suspect it might be the
> contact under the seat, since I sort of remember doing a very thorough
> cleaning of the car before the lamp went on
>
>
Hi Drazen,

You'll get a lot of postings here about what should be in principle be
true, without a lot of real experience on the part of the authors,
regarding the actual fault itself.

My small contribution: I got the airbag light after thumping the
steering wheel in frustrating heavy traffic one morning. It persisted
even after turning off the ignition and restarting.

Clearing the codes via the Bosch PC program (equal to but not the same
as VAG-COM) at my indy had no effect. In this case, the mechanic removed
the cowling to the steering wheel airbag, exposing the connecting wires,
replaced them, then reset the fault codes via the PC. Seems there was an
intermittent fault which was fixed by this simple action. This indy
workshop is a team of ex-Audi dealer mechanics who started up their own
business so their knowledge appears good. Given the risks for triggering
the system by accident, I was happy for the experts to do this instead
of me.

Conclusion - even if a fault light cannot be reset by software alone,
the hardware fix required to clear the problem may be quite simple, so
I'd always suggest going to a reputable indy (who has sufficient
diagnostic tools and experience) to see if the problem is relatively
simple and cheap to fix; you might be in for a pleasant surprise ...

/Robert (2001 A4 Avant 1,8 TS, 8D chassis)

Robert

Drazen Stojcic Buntovnik wrote:
> "LeakiestWink" <you.ARE.the.weakest.link@good.bye> wrote in message
> news:toqdnePjXo2fNBXbRVnyhgA@bt.com...
>
>>"Drazen Stojcic Buntovnik" <drazenMAKNI@stojcic.com> wrote in message
>>news:f68h7f$nt9$1@ss408.t-com.hr...
>>
>>>Hello,
>>>
>>>few days ago the Airbag lamp on the dashboard lit up and didn't go off
>>>after few seconds as usually. I'm guessing something is wrong with the
>>>airbag system, but I'm a bit concerned as to what kind of expense I can
>>>expect if I take it to the service? I'm pretty much broke atm, so I can't
>>>really afford some expensive repairs
>>>
>>>On the other hand, I have no idea as to what could've caused the problem.
>>>I didn't have an accident or anything like that, it's been pretty much
>>>just normal driving.
>>>
>>>I'm also wondering could it be it's just a signal to have the airbag
>>>system checked (the car is A4, year 2000.)?
>>
>>Well, the other replies haven't been particularly helpful!
>>
>>If your car has front seat belt tensioners (the bit the buckle clips into,
>>near the transmission tunnel), then these are the usual suspects. Either
>>the pyrotechnic "grabber" has failed (a relatively cheap item), or more
>>usually, the electrical connector under the base of the seat has an open
>>circuit. This can be either general electrical corrosion, or more often,
>>the connector gets disturbed by rear passenger feet, stowing objects under
>>the seat, or over-zealous vacuuming under the seat.
>>
>>Unfortunately, you will need a proper diagnostic check, either main
>>stealer, or a friend with VAG-COM (and your offering of a small case of
>>beer ). A simple clearing of the stored fault codes is often enough
>>to clear the airbag light.
>>
>>Whatever you do, do NOT try to unplug and reconnect the under-seat
>>connector, either with the ignition on, or with the battery connected, as
>>this will throw another DTC error code, store it in the ECU, and still
>>keep your airbag light on.
>>
>>Whilst the airbag light is illuminated, ALL SRS functions will be
>>disabled, irrespective of the "faulty" component, so please do get this
>>checked out and sorted.
>>
>>Rgds, Sean
>
>
>
> Thanks a bunch, this is all very usefull info. I suspect it might be the
> contact under the seat, since I sort of remember doing a very thorough
> cleaning of the car before the lamp went on
>
>
Hi Drazen,

You'll get a lot of postings here about what should be in principle be
true, without a lot of real experience on the part of the authors,
regarding the actual fault itself.

My small contribution: I got the airbag light after thumping the
steering wheel in frustrating heavy traffic one morning. It persisted
even after turning off the ignition and restarting.

Clearing the codes via the Bosch PC program (equal to but not the same
as VAG-COM) at my indy had no effect. In this case, the mechanic removed
the cowling to the steering wheel airbag, exposing the connecting wires,
replaced them, then reset the fault codes via the PC. Seems there was an
intermittent fault which was fixed by this simple action. This indy
workshop is a team of ex-Audi dealer mechanics who started up their own
business so their knowledge appears good. Given the risks for triggering
the system by accident, I was happy for the experts to do this instead
of me.

Conclusion - even if a fault light cannot be reset by software alone,
the hardware fix required to clear the problem may be quite simple, so
I'd always suggest going to a reputable indy (who has sufficient
diagnostic tools and experience) to see if the problem is relatively
simple and cheap to fix; you might be in for a pleasant surprise ...

/Robert (2001 A4 Avant 1,8 TS, 8D chassis)