meem

yesterday the airbag light came back on. i figured one of the resistors i installed when putting in the qs seats had come loose, but vag-com revealed that the problem was "passenger airbag resistance too high" -- note the absence of the word "side": this is the airbag in the dash. (i confirmed that removing the appropriate resistor triggered a different code for the side airbag resistance).

i fear this may be a very expensive fix, especially if i need to replace the passenger airbag, since i presume this involves ripping out the dash :-(

any ideas?

XCLR8TT

According to Bentley

When a malfunction occurs, the airbag system warning lamp will light up and remain lit until the malfunction is repaired and the DTC memory has been erased.

If a malfunction only occurs occasionally or if the DTC memory is not erased after a malfunction has been repaired, the malfunction will be shown as a sporadic DTC. Such malfunctions are identified by the letters "/SP" on the right of the VAG 1551 display and will cause the warning lamp to light up continuously.

If a component is indicated as being faulty, always test for open circuits and short circuits in the wiring to the component (using the wiring diagram) as well as testing the component itself.


00589 Igniter 1 for airbag (passenger's side) -N131- Resistance value too great

Has the following possible causes and solutions:

1) Open circuit in wiring --> Repair per wiring diagram


2) Front passenger's airbag module faulty -->Replace front passenger's airbag module

3) Airbag Control Module -J234- faulty -->Replace Airbag Control Module -J234-

evil TT

Hi meem,

You can first try to disconnect the airbag connector and clean the connector with some contact cleaner. The oxydation that occurs will increase the impedence of the line, thus cause the resistance too high.
This is what happened on mine. My tt was having the very same issue, a little bit of contact cleaner and that was it. I presume, it got the humidity / oxydation from the whole in the windshield when it got wrecked and water / humidity came in. This was my fix

If you want to try an other airbag unit, I have one brand new, never used...


Dominic

meem

i may take you up on that other unit :-)

thanks for your help

meem

it's hard to understand what i did that would've triggered it.

XCLR8TT

It could be as easy as corrosion, a broken wire, or the control module just quit working.

evil TT

You must remove glove-box, be carefull, almost as expensive as the airbag itself

Then, in the back of the airbag, there is a yellow connector where the connection is made.

Airbag unit is right on top of the glovebox, center of the dash portion

I can take a picture of it and send it to you.

The use of a good light source and mirror is always a good idea in this area.

As a precaution ALWAYS disconnect battery post before fooling apart with these connections, who knows what can happen

Dominic

bobcaTT

I had that too, dealer replaced pass airbag

kodeTT

it wasn't the airbag...and i couldn't clear the codes and KMD couldn't either. they knew what it was and had to be done by the dealer. cost was over $1000, but i made a stink about it being a safety issue and that Audi should pay for it. i also mentioned that if i got into an accident and an injury to my passenger happened, there would be liability issues. so they offered to pay up 75% of it.

i was out of warranty 8 months, FYI.