Airbag fault light

[Kev]

Booo!!!

After 18k miles I've got my first fault.

The MFD is telling me I have an airbag fault and the light is on on the dash.

I'd just been over 3 successive speed bumps, not any faster or slower than usual and I was carrying a passenger.

A bit of a google around suggests it might be a connector under the passenger seat that's come astray so I'll have to check that out when I get a chance. Any other suggestions? I've still got 7-8 months left on the warranty so it won't be a big deal if it's a dodgy sensor.

[caprinolaw]

May not be related but I had exactly the same problem in my Golf some years ago.

I had all of the air bags replaced twice and still had the same problem!

Turned out to be faulty wiring under the drivers seat!

[Kev]

Can't see any loose wires under either seat (amazing how much there is under there to be honest!!), so I guess it's a trip to the dealer when I get a chance.

[RW1]

Maybe worth looking at the Airbag Controller and its connector are inside the lower dash forward at the same level as the small cubby hole storage.

You can take the side cheat panel off by the left foot rest step to get to it.

Airbag Controller - Scirocco.JPG

[Kev]

Is that just held on with a couple of screws?

[caprinolaw]

to be honest with the complexity of an air bag system id just let the dealer take a look at it.

[RW1]

Is that just held on with a couple of screws?

Yup and a bit of clipping into the centre console around the area of the gearstick point. Screw towards the front by your foot. Why I suggested it, just in case and save a dealer visit if its just that connector has become loose.

[Kev]

Took my car in to the garage today to get this fixed.

Free of charge. They said it was a near side front seat airbag connector fault.
Cleaned it too

[Kev]

Well, spoke too soon. It's gone wrong again.
It's back in the garage to have a better look today. Fingers crossed they can fix it properly this time.

[Kev]

And fixed again.

They took the seat out, checked all the connectors and refitted it and cleared the fault.

They said if it goes wrong again it might be in impedance issue on the airbag itself and they'll replace that if needs be.

[Deft]

Just bumping this as I have had my first ever fault light at 45,000 miles. Airbag fault. Car is 3.5 years old so technically out of warranty.
Took it to dealers for diagnosis who think it may be slip ring or actual drivers front airbag that need replacing.
The airbag job itself would come to £1100 but they say this will be covered by VW.
The slip-ring however would not be covered so if it is that then it would be £330. It's going back in next Thursday for fix as they had to order the parts.
I already had a little moan about Sales of Goods act, reasonable expectation of things like this lasting more than 3.5 years. They said they can ask VW for a contribution but it is unlikely to be 100% for the slip ring.
Any thoughts? Is a slip-ring a reasonable wear part given the time scale / mileage? I'm not mechanically minded but my initial reaction was no.
Hope for a reasonable contribution and take the remainder on the chin? Had no other costs other than servicing and tyres thus far.

[damiank250]

Hi there - I have a spare slip ring if you need ?

[Deft]

Cheers for the offer Damian. Lets see how they get on this Thursday. What is the approximate cost of the part? I think he scribbled £90 or £70 down, might have been wrong.

[Deft]

My airbag fault was indeed the slip ring. I agreed a reduced parts and labour of £200 for the repair rather than dispute the full amount formally. I'm getting lazy in my old age. They agreed in principle that a slip-ring shouldn't need replacing and therefore a dispute under sales of goods act was reasonable.