Airbag Warning Light On

[steve123]

1900 TDI 1999 year.

 

Warning light has been on for a couple of years

but

now will fail MOT.

 

Any ideas what I can check ?

Fuse etc.

 

If I take to FORD garage any idea on approx price to fix light ?

[dlt1617]

The fault could be with almost any of the air bag system but the most commomn cause on a Mk 1 (I'm assuming yours is!) is the contact scroll for the driver's air bag.

The part shown here ......http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VW-SHARAN-MK1-AIRBAG-WIRING-RING-GALAXY-ALHAMBRA-/251105677250?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item3a77108fc2

The price seems a bit steep for the one on the link but I got caught out because I bought a used one for about £15 and the light stayed on, then I replaced the driver's air bag and the light stayed on, finally I bought another contact scroll and the light stayed off! So you can buy faulty used ones.

 

To replace it is easy, you disconnect the battery and wait at least 5 minutes before removing the air bag. The air bag is removed by undoing two torque screws from the back of the wheel, you the disconnect the air bag (the connector needs to be pulled straight up from the air bag) you then remove the centre bolt on the wheel (normal thread) but an odd size (I think its a 22 or 23 mm). The contact scroll is held on to the centre of the wheel by three screws so a straight forward swop over, the connector for the contact scroll is hidden in some foam on the side of the column.

 

The description is harder to type than the job is to do!

 

Best wishes

 

Dave

[Bigjeeze]

Yep I'll echo that I did mine a while ago.

[steve123]

Thanks for information.

 

Would like to find out about buying VAG cable.

Just looked on ebay not sure if ok from Hong Kong.

Also need to find out about software required.

Will have a search on forum or may post another question.

Once again thanks for your reply.

[SilverBeast]

I got one like this ebay link from a UK seller. It's probaly from Hong Kong anyway! Works fine for me using the free software (linked in listing) from the authors web site. I haven't used it for airbags though. I'm not sure if you need to buy a registered copy to work with the airbags (don't think so but can't remember). Pretty sure it warns you about some air bag systems it isn't compatible with though (think I scanned airbag on mine though) - Just use it with the drivers door open the first time and the laptop out of the firing line of the airbag!

[steve123]

Thanks for advice.

Will have a look on internet tonight.

[sbgremlin]

Steve 123, I was thinking about buying this VAG cable from GSF car parts, Ebay site, UK delivery and Driver & Shareware VAG-COM v409.1 Included on CD & VCDS-Lite via download.

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/280905235590?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649#ht_3084wt_1209

[steve123]

Just ordered cable from ebay.

Let's hope I can clear airbag warning light.

Think I am due a bit of luck, could do with not having to pay to much for car to pass MOT next month.

or

better still, might win the Euro millons tonight, then won't ever have to worry about an MOT again :-)

[steve123]

Just tried cable with VCDS-Lite

Scanned airbag controller and received following code.

 

1 Fault Found:

00588 - Airbag Igniter; Driver Side (N95)

32-10 - Resistance too High – Intermittent

 

Clear code and performed an autoscan and warning light went off.

 

Thought I had cracked it, then the light came back on :-(

 

Looks like a will have to replace contact scroll as suggested by dlt1617.

 

Could have done will some photo's as dlt1617 makes it sound so easy.

Something always goes wrong when I do anything to car.

 

Might have to call garage for estimate price but they all seem to find something else wrong and price goes up.

 

Steve

 

PS

did not win the euro millons last night either :-(

[steve123]

Some pictures people might find useful.

 

Disconnected battery, undone two bolts behind steering wheel and removed airbag.

Undid center bolt (22mm) and three screws, disconnected brown and black wires from connector where horn wires are, removed wheel out of the way.

So far so good.

Could not remove airbag wiring ring (contract scroll) because I did not read fully dlt1617 post where he mentioned that “the contact scroll is hidden in some foam on the side of the column”.

I was trying to disconnect from behind contact scroll and failed.

So I cleaned all parts I could see and reassembled everything.

Cleared fault with VCDS-Lite and surprise surprise that light has stayed off so far.

 

Thought I was on a roll so decided to replace my exhaust rear box silencer which was broken by rear box.

Removed rubber connectors and box was out of the way.

Undid clamp but could not remove old part of pipe on exhaust, so decided to use hacksaw.

Was difficult sawing under car, hacksaw slipped and cut my thumb and I have just returned from minor injury clinic. :(

 

Now looking on internet for rear silencer (ebay £36.49) and also phone numbers of local installers as hand is out of action for a week.

Told you some always goes wrong when I work on my car. ;)

 

Thanks for people help on this forum, much appreciated.

 

Steve

[biturbo.s4]

Exhausts are normally easier as a two man job! One man either side of the joint, and pushing pulling twisting etc.

A bit of Plusgas or Wd40 normally helps too.

 

And regarding the steering wheel airbag, mine has thrown up the exact same code! Will be looking into it when other electrical problems are sorted. ;)

[dlt1617]

Hi I think I noticed my name mention some where ;)

 

The pictures are great, the connector that needs disconnecting is on the end of the flat black and white lead that comes of the main cicular contact piece under the wheel. If you are careful you don't have to take the top cover off above the indicator and wiper switch but as mentioned it is tucked away in some foam so it's just a case of sliding the foam out of the way to get to it.

 

Best wishes

 

Dave/Dlt1617

Edited July 29, 2012 by dlt1617

[steve123]

Not my day again.

Driving to work this morning and airbag warning light came on.

 

Looks like I will have to purchase new contact scroll.

The one mentioned in Dave's post above from ebay is used for neally £48.

 

Anyone know of any other possible places I can purchase one from ?

 

Had quick look on internet but no luck.

 

Rear box silencer best fitted price I could find was £110, what a rip off :)

 

Steve

[dlt1617]

Try the contact seller option on ebay for people avertising "breaking ford galaxy or vw sharan or seat alahambra" as sometimes the prices rthy come back with are no where near as high.

 

Best wishes

 

Dave

[dlt1617]

http://www.gumtree.com/p/cars-vans-motorbikes/galaxy-for-bits-10-for-any-bit/108173824 might be worth a call

 

Best wishes

 

Dave

[rob2012]

hi i had the same problem on my 99 galaxy 2.3 auto got this lead off ebay http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/180916836801?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649 down loaded the software they sent me its for a seat alahambra but it worked on on mine and at only£6.99 cheep as chips i hope this is helpful

[steve123]

Thank for information Dave.

Tried the gumtree one but unfortunately just found out that they broke part taking it off.

Will have to try the eBay one’s during the week.

 

Got the rear silencer from eBay (£36.49) and fitted yesterday.

Has not fallen off yet and I managed to keep all my fingers and thumbs this time.

Steve

[steve123]

Finally got replacement clock spring.

£20 from small local breakers yard.

Installed part tonight.

Was quite difficult to disconnect plug in foam, had to take steering column cover off and disconnect some other wires so that clock spring plug could come out through steering wheel hole.

Reassembled all parts then reset airbag controller with VCDS-Lite and warning light is off.

I hope this has fixed it, will probably find out if ok over the next couple of days.

Will now book MOT and hope it passes.

Would like to once again thank people for advice on this forum, is much appreciated.

Steve

[steve123]

Good news, car passed MOT

 

Strange thing is the guy at the test center said that the airbag warning light on is not part of MOT test yet.

I was sure on internet it said that it came into force around March this year.