As the car's off the road for the moment, I'm using the time to do a few jobs I've not yet got round to. These include a few ICE bits, tweaks here and there - you know the sort :yes:

So the main dash area is larger stripped at the moment, glovebox out etc; one of the things I'm looking at is the MDI retrofit.

However, I've struck on a problem. I disconnected the passenger airbag deactivation switch on Sat, just by removing the plug from the unit. I now see in VCDS that I've got quite a few 'low voltage' warnings on a fair few unconnected areas - rear parking sensors for example. As I've not yet connected the Bolero while I'm doing other stuff, I can't attribute that to a possible battery drain issue against the existing CAN gateway.

So I'm just wondering if the disconnection of the passenger airbag deactivation switch was the cause? It was disconnected for around 24hrs before I thought about it and then removed the actual switch unit from the glovebox and reconnected it to the plug. As the airbag module would expect that deactivation switch to be there, and would be coded appropriately, could this have lead to battery discharge?

Your thoughts please

Cheers,

Steve

Anyone?

Feel free to blow my theory out of the water, if you see fit

Well I've popped it on trickle charge so will leave that going for 24hrs, then clear the errors and see where we are then

Well I've popped it on trickle charge so will leave that going for 24hrs, then clear the errors and see where we are then

I'm interested in what you find out, even if no-one else seems to be

Well, it's not that I'm not interested but it's all a bit technical for me and I haven't got a clue!!

Good luck anyway!

So I'm just wondering if the disconnection of the passenger airbag deactivation switch was the cause? It was disconnected for around 24hrs before I thought about it and then removed the actual switch unit from the glovebox and reconnected it to the plug. As the airbag module would expect that deactivation switch to be there, and would be coded appropriately, could this have lead to battery discharge?

Not sure on this theory - the airbag module is powered down (I think) when the ignition is off.

My reasoning behind this is I did the same as you - glovebox out and disconnected deactivation switch to make it easier. I fitted the Dension and Fiscon kit, and in my haste to see if they were working, turned on the ignition with the airbag switch disconnected.

DOH! - Airbag warning light now permanently on.

Reconnected switch, airbag light doesn't clear by itself.

Cleared with VCDS. Took the glovebox out again (changed my mind and ran the USB and iPod cables to the jumbo box instead of the glovebox), this time I didn't turn the ignition on

Refitted glovebox, and no airbag warning light when turning the ignition on.

So, my conclusion is that the airbag module is either powered down with the ignition off, or it isn't monitoring the airbag deactivation switch when the ignition is off.

Are you sure it has nothing to do with your inability to turn the engine over on the starter since the turbo went bang??

Thanks for the interest

Your logic does flow Andy. And you may well be right. But no odd signs with the battery level playing up, until I was doing other interior jobs on the Sunday. Only thing I'd really done was disconnect the switch, as mentioned. Plus there were none of the VCDS codes logged after the turbo incident - only the manifold pressure one. I re-checked codes in between the last time I tried to start the engine and starting the interior-related jobs. So I'm as sure as I can be that this issue isn't related.

I did happen to flick the ignition on without the switch re-connected, but did the same as you and cleared that code. But all the other errors came back again, related to low voltage to modules.

I don't know - will see what happens when the battery is back to full strength

Cheers,

Steve

Battery condition seems fine Mike. I've had no other power-related issues previous to this and has always fired up without problem. Even over the cold snap when it sat for a week in upto -12. I thought it might struggle then with the first start, but nope

Will see what the situation is later today then, if I have chance to check things over.

Cheers,

Steve

All seems well now. I'll check and clear faults later, then plug the Bolero in and wait a few days - see what happens re battery drain with that

(which was my original plan; I've been side-tracked slightly, but such is life )

Steve, are you using the newer CAN Gateway? IIRC there were several threads on here about battery drain when adding Parrot kits & Dension etc. I seem to think that a few found that upgrading the CAN gateway stopped this happening?

I've just done a quick search and can't find what I was looking for; sorry!

Of course with baltic temperatures of late and not running, it could in dead be as simple as a tired battery!!

Ive got a bolero fitted in my octy vrs on a 57 plate with no battery drain issues and still using the original gateway, you could be lucky like i was but i know earlier octys did have issues. As for your battery drain thoughts with your air bag switch disconected i would say you are barking up the wrong tree, As said your airbag system shuts down/goes to sleep after a period of time, you can actualy see it if you use a good quality multi meter. I tried mine when i fitted my bolero i used our vas 5051 at work and put the amps probe between the batery leads and switched the ign off and shut the doors and after a period of time the amps dropped off and the cars electrical system went asleep untill something re activated it. very clever system. hope this will help.Phil.

Oh yes, don't worry - there's several recent threads running with discussions about CAN gateway revisions. So I'm well aware of the potential pitfalls. This is one of the reasons I'm doing it this way, to work out whether an upgrade's required or not.

Cheers,

Steve

As for your battery drain thoughts with your air bag switch disconected i would say you are barking up the wrong tree, As said your airbag system shuts down/goes to sleep after a period of time, you can actualy see it if you use a good quality multi meter. I tried mine when i fitted my bolero i used our vas 5051 at work and put the amps probe between the batery leads and switched the ign off and shut the doors and after a period of time the amps dropped off and the cars electrical system went asleep untill something re activated it. very clever system. hope this will help.Phil.

Having gone through the motions, I have to disagree Phil. I completely agree about systems shutting down after a set period, once ignition is off. 100% on that.

But this seems to me an issue when coding is incorrect, or a component from that system has been removed (as in my case here). My thoughts are that the module's power is kept on, as it's expecting to see something that isn't there.

This is reminiscent of a very similar issue I had with my last Octy, and the OEM Bluetooth module. I had that all installed and correctly coded, no issues. However, when I came to sell the car I removed the module and didn't think about adjusting the coding back. Result? Completely flat battery within 24hrs.

If you have access to decent kit, I'd be very interested to see if you could repeat the problem I had. Maybe by disconnecting the airbag deactivation switch and then locking the car. And observe what happens to Amp load on the battery.

Cheers,

Steve

Edited 21 January, 201115 yr by Wardy

Having gone through the motions, I have to disagree Phil. I completely agree about systems shutting down after a set period, once ignition is off. 100% on that.

But this seems to me an issue when coding is incorrect, or a component from that system has been removed (as in my case here). My thoughts are that the module's power is kept on, as it's expecting to see something that isn't there.

This is reminiscent of a very similar issue I had with my last Octy, and the OEM Bluetooth module. I had that all installed and correctly coded, no issues. However, when I came to sell the car I removed the module and didn't think about adjusting the coding back. Result? Completely flat battery within 24hrs.

If you have access to decent kit, I'd be very interested to see if you could repeat the problem I had. Maybe by disconnecting the airbag deactivation switch and then locking the car. And observe what happens to Amp load on the battery.

Cheers,

Steve

Funny ive had a dash out of a octy yesterday at work and fitted it back today (sat for a good 18 hours)and with the airbag switch disconected and had no battery issues, i even left the switch disconected and put our amps probe ( genuine dealer vas 5051b) inbetween the battery and after about 30 mins the system went to sleep apart from a few milliamps which is normal. the car was on a 09 plate though so could be different, If i get time over the weekend i will disconect my airbag switch of my 57 plate and try that for you, and let you know. regards Phil.

Cheers for that Phil, interesting to know. Well I've just reset all the codes and no battery related issues to report. I've now connected the Bolero, and with the switch connected.

It'll sit until Sunday night now, so will report back then

Steve

Cheers for that Phil, interesting to know. Well I've just reset all the codes and no battery related issues to report. I've now connected the Bolero, and with the switch connected.

It'll sit until Sunday night now, so will report back then

Steve

Steve i disconected my air bag switch last night and also put my amps probe to test a drain and apart from a 20 min wait for it to go to sleep there is only milli amps being drawn, But i am going to leave it over night as well and wiil try and start it tommorow afternoon and i will let you know what the verdict is. Phil.

Steve I left the car over night and had a look this morning as i had left the amps probe connected and it was still asleep until i opened the door and the fuel pump struck into life and the car started fine. all this with the airbag isolator switch disconected, No signs of any battery issues and thats been left for a good 36 hours, Hope this has helped, If i can help any further just give us a shout. Phil