Cheap airbag reset tool - Golf Plus / Golf 6

[Tommie38]

I foolishly disconnected the airbag warning lamp on the centre console and then started the car. Instant airbag light on the dashboard, even after reconnecting it.

What is the cheapest tool that can turn it off?

I'd rather have a tool in the toolbox than pay somebody to reset it as a one-off.

Thanks in advance...

[A900ss]

OBD Eleven.

(Google to buy)

I did the same in my Passat when I installed a dash cam.

Good luck.

[Tommie38]

A900ss said:

OBD Eleven.

(Google to buy)

I did the same in my Passat when I installed a dash cam.

Good luck.

Arrgh, I impulse bought a U281 scanning device from eBay that I bet won't work. It appears to have been recommended in the past but it looks a bit like I have bought some kind of knock off. £12 delivered so fingers crossed - I will report back.

Thanks for the suggestion.

[A900ss]

I’m sure if you put a shout out in some VW forums, somebody will run their OBD Eleven on your car for you and delete the code. It takes about 30 seconds

[Tommie38]

Tool arrived but did not work. A bit of research has told me that the issue is probably because I have an aftermarket radio and OBD fault readers do not work with them without a minor adjustment to the loom.

It will be a couple of weeks before I can address this, but looks to be as simple as cutting the K-Line feed / loop to the stereo. Plenty of guides online, Ross Tech has a good one.

I suspect that many of the people that have not been able to get this reader to work have had aftermarket stereos. I’m hopeful!

[Tommie38]

A900ss said:

I’m sure if you put a shout out in some VW forums, somebody will run their OBD Eleven on your car for you and delete the code. It takes about 30 seconds

True - although with a reader this cheap it is easier than travelling / arranging a meet up etc and I will have the tool at the end of it. Certainly wouldn’t have an issue doing that where the tools are more expensive.

That said, I will need to do a K-Line mod to get any reader to work at the moment.

[Tommie38]

Just to close this out, the U281 doesn’t even work with the factory stereo installed. It’s going back to the seller.

The K-line stuff is a bit of a red herring BTW, it is not relevant for later cars.

[GVK]

K line issue is for mk4 platform.

As above get yourself an OBD eleven app/dongle

[Tommie38]

GVK said:

K line issue is for mk4 platform.

As above get yourself an OBD eleven app/dongle

Yes, K line is irrelevant.

I looked at the options and found a couple of people that would do with VCDS for £20. Seemed like good guys but nobody close to me so it would have been a decent drive and obviously a one-off. If I did the same again I’d have to drive back.

In the end I got an a Ancel VD500 from Amazon, delivered for a little over £50. Plugged in, had the airbag light reset in 2 minutes.

Would definitely recommend the tool.

[Tommie38]

GVK said:

K line issue is for mk4 platform.

As above get yourself an OBD eleven app/dongle

Yes, K line is irrelevant.

I looked at the options and found a couple of people that would do with VCDS for £20. Seemed like good guys but nobody close to me so it would have been a decent drive and obviously a one-off. If I did the same again I’d have to drive back.

In the end I got an a Ancel VD500 from Amazon, delivered for a little over £50. Plugged in, had the airbag light reset in 2 minutes.

Would definitely recommend the tool.

[Engelberger]

I use Carista dongle. I also have a after market pioneer head unit. You get 30 days sub free and lots of customisation on it.

I triggered the airbag light when I took the seats out for a deep clean. With the dongle it was cleared within 30 seconds.