I started having a serious go at starting the ICE today. Bought a v nice 4gauge wiring kit complete with distrib blocks, etc yesterday and in order to help gain access to the bulkhead to try and feed the cable through, I disconnected the glove box and the airbag deactivation switch in the glove box.

Then I had to move the car, so started it up. Of course, the "Airbag Off" light in the centre console above the HU was on cos the switch was disconnected.

Now I've plugged it all back in but the airbag warning light is on in the speeds dial.

Is this due to picking up the previous disconnection of the switch and its like a fault code that needs resetting or could it be something more sinister ?

Any ideas ?

I'll prolly phone up the dealer tomorrow and see what he says (and brace myself for whatever answer he may give!)

I wouldnt bother phoning the dealer, take it straight in.

Don't take any chances with airbags

has logged the fault and light won't go out until fault memory is re-set my advise to anyone trying to do stuff with airbags DON'T do it leave it to the dealer!!!

Thanks K.

Is it dangerous to attempt to clear the fault in vagcom - is it possible?

Do you know if the bags will work even with the light on? (I'm not gonna hit a wall intentionally to find out!)

I'll go to the dealer to sort it out next week.

Cheers

(I'm not gonna hit a wall intentionally to find out!)

And if we ask nicely?

If there is a fault in the airbag system it will be inactive.

You can clear air-bag faults with VAG COM no problems as far as I know (we use VAG COM at work as we can't get the newer VAS 5051/52 machines as they are leased from VAG direct).

We do have VAG 1551/2 but these are practically obsolete now as they wont read alot of CAN Bus stuff on the new ones and are missing alot of address words.

Ross, the difference being you're a trained Tech with access to VAG-COM.

I don't think it's wise for "Joe Public" to play with Airbag settings just by plugging his latop in

As long as you stick to clearing fault codes you will be just fine.

There isnt anyway you can set off an airbag with VAG COM, you could possible recode the contol unit so it wouldnt work properly but thats quite envolved.

But K is right, get a main dealer or a specialist to clear the fault down for you. Shouldnt charge much if anything.

Cheers

Ross

Yep, had this when troubleshooting alarm problem. Just clear the error codes and it will go out. If it's a genuine fault then it will come back. Mine never did.