Will Vag-Com get rid of airbag light

[SugarlandTDI]

I bought my very first TDI and VW for that matter, but I bought it pre wrecked..LOL it needs headlights grill and airbags.... I am buying the airbags but wondered if I could reset the airbag light with Vag_com. Im open to any sugestions or tips in gerneral on this car.... I have been reading this site every since I got intrested in the TDI and I finally got one... I cant wait to get it on the streets....

 

[eetsoot]

Depends on the year. Vagcom had some issues with scanning that module. Check the Ross-Tech.com site. It mention what years are of concern. But yes you can clear the code and turn the light off provided no components are damaged. For safety sake I'ld get the air bag system checked to make sure the module and trigger switch are working but that's your call.

 

[stevneil]

I've done this 4 times on IV Jettas and the New Beetle. Not possible for light to be turned off without fixing the air bag system. That involves new bags and new air bag control module and possibly the front seat belt(s). VAG-COM can do this. Previous reply from eetsoot regarding issues with scanning the air bag module applies to a module that is no longer sold by VW.

The air bags and module are very pricey items at the dealer, but are also available at the junkyards. Try car-part.com for some cheaper options. I've never found a control module from a junkyard that wasn't blown. Bought one once only to find that it was inop and stored crash data for, strangely enough, only the pyrotechnic driver seatbelt. Hick's Airbag Covers (find them on ebay) says they can reset airbag modules for $125 but I've never tried them.

The VAG-COM procedure to set up the new airbag module (working from memory here) involves setting a code for the module. This code can be obtained from a shop manual or from the old module which is still up and communicating but supposedly, it will not fire the airbags until reset (by Hicks) or replaced with a new one.

Good luck. Email me as I rarely check TDIClub.

 

[stevneil]

Four years later update on my airbags experiences...

Biggest update in past 4 years is that I've had good success with having the blown airbag control module reset by myairbags.com. Beauty of sending your module in for reset is that you can plug it in and the airbag light MIL goes off (of course airbags and seat belts replaced before then). No need for a VAGCOM or to talk to the computers in the car.

One positive indication that a reset module is functional is that I had a cut wire on a 02 Beetle left side seat belt (from the seat being lifted up and down so many times) and the airbag MIL came on and VAGCOM told me exactly what was wrong. I haven't had a collision so no airbag events on a reset module that I can report on. But every indication is that the reset computer is fully functional. I've never had any problems with a reset module turning on the MIL other than the cut wire event I just described.

Email me as I rarely visit TDIClub.

 

[Joe_Meehan]

Thanks for the update.