Are these fully interchangeable between between all mk1 Octys, or do you need one to match the spec of the car?

There are a large number of different controllers. It's a different controller if you have side airbags or not and yet a different one if you have an airbag disable switch. It's also date and VIN dependent. Have you got the current part number from a VCDS scan (the trailing letters indicate functionality - not just revision).

Ross-tech airbag info

ie avoid 6Q0-909-605-A

Ross-tech airbag info

ie avoid 6Q0-909-605-A

 

 

This is the problem.... :-(  I know mine is 6Q0909605 (but don't know the revision letter).  I have the airbag light on, so I scanned it and cleared the code, but it didn't seem to turn off the light....

This is the problem.... :-( I know mine is 6Q0909605 (but don't know the revision letter). I have the airbag light on, so I scanned it and cleared the code, but it didn't seem to turn off the light....

As far as I can tell your existing controller will be 6Q0909605 00L. You can also use 1C0909605 00L. Is there a box at the top right with index next to it? That would mean there is no suffix. i.e. 1C0909605 Index 0L

If you PM me a VIN, I'll check further.

Always handy when the revision number is missing

If the light came on before you scanned it, could have come on for a legitimate reason - eg connector popped off, wiring fault, sensor failure, bag failure

According to that ross-tech info, their newer software won't trigger the bug in the controller

So if that's what you've used to check and clear the faults, guess this would point in the direction of a non-controller fault

If you've got an older version of vagcom, you might have added to a non-controller problem by triggering the controller bug :(

I'd start by checking what version of vagcom you used

I assumed you were getting the dreaded 65535 code. If not, what code are you getting?

I removed my steering wheel airbag to replace the indicator stalk.  Did about 200 miles later and airbag light came on.

 

When I scanned it came up with "intermittent connection to drivers side" or something like that.  Can't remember the code off hand.  I haven't removed the controller box, but did have a look for it - doubt I'll be able to read the code off the top of it unless I remove it :-(

 

Laptop is at home with vagcom on (303 something rings a bell?)

 

VIN number PM'd

Edited 7 April, 201412 yr by mbames

I doubt it's the controller.

Your car was almost certainly fitted with the index 08 version. In theory it would have been 1C0909605, but as 1C0909605 and 6Q0909605 are hardware compatible I guess it doesn't matter. Your car is right on the VIN boundary.

If I had to guess, I would say it is the slip ring or the wire between the slip ring and the airbag.

I was kind of hoping it was the slip ring too.  Maybe I need to remove the airbag and check the slip ring & connection cables again..

Yes, I think so too. If you need a controller/ecu I have one spare going cheap. sounds like wheel to me given you were fiddling with it recently.

My MOT is due soon, so I'll have to get on and sort this out - don't sell that controller yet - just incase I have toasted mine :-(

Just checked on the paper I scribbled on yesterday - deffo 6Q0909605, but VAGCOM didn't report a version letter.