Airbag light on

[audi321]

Hi all. Just bought a car for my son but it has an airbag light warning on it.

Is there a diagnostic tool which will tell me where to look first? I have a cheapo one which clears fault codes (only a tenner) but it comes straight back on after clearing it.

Happy to pay more for something like a Carly or similar if it will give me more information? It’s an Audi A1 2012.

Or any recommendations where to start?

Thanks all for any advice.

[finlo]

Clock spring is the usual favourite.

[audi321]

Thanks. I take it there’s no way to check a clock spring without replacing it? I wouldn’t want to replace it without knowing 100% it was that

[Panamax]

audi321 said:

Just bought a car for my son but it has an airbag light warning on it.

If it was an "easy fix" I can't help suspecting the seller might have done it already.

See also: "Air conditioning just needs a re-gas".

[SAS Tom]

Could be the plug under the seat. Just needs unplugging and plugging back in.

Could not be too though

[audi321]

Panamax said:

audi321 said:

Just bought a car for my son but it has an airbag light warning on it.

If it was an "easy fix" I can't help suspecting the seller might have done it already.

See also: "Air conditioning just needs a re-gas".

Wow you’re a bundle of optimism aren’t you.

All I ask is could someone recommend me a gadget which will point me to the right area to look at. I thought this was PH and the ‘home diy’ section!

[Bill]

I got one of these: https://www.autelstore.co.uk/wholesale/autel-maxil...

Accurately pointed me at the relevant bit of the airbag system to replace* on a mini.




*with a resistor...

[Megaflow]

Carly’s are a complete scam, have a look on YouTube for more details.

I have successfully cleared airbag codes with the older version of this:

https://www.launchtech.co.uk/enthusiast-diagnostic...

[tux850]

Don't focus on clearing the code but reading it. Does your current scanner not do that?

[paul_c123]

Answering the original question:

iCarsoft VAWS V2.0 £136
Foxwell NT530+ £164

I believe Foxwell NT530 would do it too, and are about £110, but they are discontinued. The NT530 is "single make" (in this case, all VAG products) so you'd need to be sure to buy the one for your car.

[Richard-D]

Ideally you need something that can view live data from the airbag module. This allows you to see what the airbag module is looking at. This doesn't have to be expensive nowadays. I have a Launch CRP123 that does this, costs a little over £100.

When you have that, you'll be able to see that the fault is the seatbelt tensioner connector under the driver's seat. It's always the seatbelt connector under the driver's seat.

[E-bmw]

tux850 said:

Don't focus on clearing the code but reading it. Does your current scanner not do that?

^^^^ Wot 'e said.

You say you cleared it, but what did it say?

Obviously it is no use just clearing it without fixing it/understanding why it came on.

[audi321]

Thanks all. So we have bets on the clock spring and the drivers seatbelt tensioner.

I’ve just ordered the Launch CRP123 so when it arrives I’ll announce the winner of the v-beer tokens!

[Megaflow]

Ironically, had you asked this question on Monday, you could have had my old CRP123 professional for £70.

I sold it Tuesday morning...

[Panamax]

audi321 said:

All I ask is could someone recommend me a gadget which will point me to the right area to look at.

I use an Innova code scanner/re-setter, a lot fancier than the cheapest devices but still a long way short of the professional systems. You'd need to check whether their devices would cover your car. As you will already know there are generic codes across all makes and then specific manufacturer codes. One way around this is to go to a good Indy who will have professional Bosch gear (or whatever) and just ask them to read the problem code and all its underlying detail for you. At least you would then know what needs replacing and, with a bit of luck, once the problem is fixed you'll be able to do or get a permanent re-set.

[Richard-D]

Panamax said:

One way around this is to go to a good Indy who will have professional Bosch gear (or whatever) and just ask them to read the problem code and all its underlying detail for you. At least you would then know what needs replacing and, with a bit of luck, once the problem is fixed you'll be able to do or get a permanent re-set.

I wouldn't recommend this approach. A fault code doesn't tell you what component to replace. There is every chance that no component needs replacing and there is a wiring problem.

Some (poor) garages also don't understand the difference and treat fault codes in this way. Some times they get lucky and the fault code relates to a failed component. Some times they replace components that were perfectly fine and the fault remains.

Having his own scanner will allow him to see the condition that the module is seeing. Live data will allow him to know when the fault is repaired before clearing the code.

As an example, a very common fault on the SRS module is excessive resistance in a seatbelt pre-tensioner circuit. The SRS module is expecting to see the resistance of the pre-tensioner (a few Ohms) but sees a figure higher than that. Reading the fault code and changing a component as you suggest would have you replacing the pre-tensioner. I've never known one fail. I have however seen countless wiring faults in that circuit, usually the connector under the driver's seat as that is the one that sees the most movement.

Fault codes are not lists of failed components.