Seat belt light and chime turned on randomly

[Fatboy8]

Just bought an '11 Jetta TDI and love the economy. Especially compared to my Duramax.

But today, with a whopping 334 miles on her, the seat belt light and chime turned on, while driving, for no reason. I undid my seat belt and reinserted, but it didn't go away.

After about a mile of driving it went away. But I arrived at work so I am unable to test it until this afternoon.

Anyone else have this issue?

 

[DC-IT]

Could it be your weight? Just kidding.
Couldn't resist it 'cos of your user name!

No it did not happen in mine so take it in to the dealer?

Congrats on the TDI.

 

[Fatboy8]

Good point about the user name, but I just use it cause that's the model of Harley I ride .

I'll check with the dealer as soon as I get a chance. Hope it's nothing...

 

[11JTDI]

Just curious, but did you have something sitting on the passenger seat? If so, it could cause the sensor to think someone is sitting there and without a seatbelt.

 

[Fatboy8]

Passenger seat/aux input cable/seat belt warning

Funny you mention the passenger seat. I figured out it was related to the passenger seat. And not from anything heavy.

I was using my iPhone attached to the Aux input via a 6ft cable and found that anytime I have that Aux cable attached and laying in large loops on the passenger seat, the seat belt light illuminates and dings.

Doesn't do it when the cable is unplugged and my iPhone itself doesn't cause it.

The Aux input cable can be plugged in, not attached on the other end, and looped on the passenger seat and it will happen.

I suspect it creates an induction loop that cause the sensor to trigger. Similar to what happens when your car comes to a stop light and sets of the sensor in the pavement.

 

[MayorDJQ]

Do you have the Blue Tooth or WiFi turned on?

Interesting about the iPhone and the Aux cable. I never had that issue with my '09, in which I used a 6ft aux cable and often left the iPhone on the seat.

My '10 has the iPhone/iPod docking cable. Maybe I'll try using the aux cable and see what happens.

 

[Fatboy8]

Doesn't matter if the iPhone is connected to the Aux cable or not. But, when the iPhone was connected, I didn't have BT or WiFi enabled.

Been driving the last two days with the phone sitting on the passenger seat, BT enabled, power cord attached, no Aux cable, with no issues.