View Full Version : Passenger Airbag Off Light?
jimf15e
11-03-2009, 06:09 PM
Is that light supposed to be on ALL the time when there's no one in the passenger seat? I thought there was a weight cutoff. It just is so bright at night that the orange light throws off the great red interior light scheme. VAG-COM to disable the light?
valis
11-03-2009, 07:25 PM
I'd love to find something for this too, freaking beacon right in my peripheral vision all night.
jimf15e
11-07-2009, 06:05 AM
Anybody?
RaudiA4INCHATT
11-07-2009, 02:36 PM
find a passenger! [>_<]
jimf15e
11-07-2009, 04:14 PM
find a passenger! [>_<]
Yeah, a passenger skilled with a pair of wirecutters to douse that damn light. It's so friggin' bright it really takes away from the interior at night.
b6bydesign04
05-11-2011, 11:10 AM
Not sure if this is the right thread, but didn't want to start a new one. Can anyone tell me if our seats contain an airbag in them? Thanks in advance.
Kczach
05-11-2011, 01:23 PM
I'd love to find something for this too, freaking beacon right in my peripheral vision all night.
I know it was bugging the crap out of me as well. I took a black "sharpie" marker and colored in the letters. It took a couple of coats but I'm not distracted anymore and haven't done anything irreversible.
Psalm40
11-14-2011, 09:48 PM
Digging up an old thread! I can't believe there is not a more talked about solution to this irritating light. The Sharpie technique seems a bit amatuer...no offense to the above, it is one of the three solutions I have heard, including electrical tape, or pulling the bulb back into the dash and securing it away from the indicator lens.
Kczach
11-15-2011, 10:49 AM
The Sharpie method is easy and very difficult to see if done with a steady hand and a good Sharpie. No passenger has ever mentioned it to me and it is sure
easier than taking things apart. Just my two cents.
NPuter
11-15-2011, 02:47 PM
Am I the only one not bothered by this?
NWS4Guy
11-15-2011, 02:58 PM
Am I the only one not bothered by this?
No, I could care less how asthetically appealing the airbag off light is.
Psalm40
11-15-2011, 03:12 PM
I just find it strange that Audi puts these lights in the most conspicuous locations with the brightest bulbs. I was driving the 135 this afternoon and I couldn't even find the light. In the GT-R it is hidden at the bottom of the center stack and is barely noticeable. I really don't like it. Anyone know how to pop off that button? Do you have to take off the MMI screen surround?
Hard Driver
11-15-2011, 04:24 PM
The Sharpie method is easy and very difficult to see if done with a steady hand and a good Sharpie. No passenger has ever mentioned it to me and it is sure
easier than taking things apart. Just my two cents.
Of course no passenger would mention it, the light would not be on ;-)
Hard Driver
11-15-2011, 04:26 PM
No, I could care less how asthetically appealing the airbag off light is.
The fact you could care less means you care some. If you couldn't care less, then you would not care at all.
sgary1
11-15-2011, 06:01 PM
Audi got it wrong. The way it should work is when nobody is in the passenger seat, the light is off. When a child is in the seat the light is on to indicate the airbag is off. When an adult is in the seat the light is off to indicate the airbag is on. The light is there to let the person in the passenger seat (or the driver if its a child in the seat) know if the airbag is on or off. If there is no one in the seat who cares if the airbag is on or off. I guess all we can do is ignore it. For those that want to try and remove the bulb, If you remove the bulb it will probably set an SRS light.
jimf15e
11-16-2011, 05:24 AM
No, I could care less how asthetically appealing the airbag off light is.
No one is discussing how aesthetically appealing the light is. We're complaining because it's extremely annoying and bright when driving at night. If you don't notice it you're either a) blind or b) don't drive at night. The post above regarding Audi's incorrect logic is also 100% true. Check another car and you'll see.
b6bydesign04
11-16-2011, 06:33 AM
Take the button out and plasti-dip it?
NWS4Guy
11-16-2011, 06:33 AM
I'm not a kid, I have driven a livery of other cars from other countries and brands. I'm not blind, and do drive at night. I'm not saying it doesn't bother some people (while you seem to want to say it had to bother everyone), just that it's not a problem to me and obviously at least one other person.
jimf15e
11-16-2011, 07:10 AM
(while you seem to want to say it had to bother everyone).
Not sure at all where you pulled that from. I also don't remember me or anyone else ever implying you were a kid.
You say you could (n't) care less how aesthetically pleasing the light is. Why wouldn't someone want every part of their car to be aesthetically pleasing? I'm not saying we wouldn't buy it because it wasn't, but why would someone just not *care*? Odd is all I'm saying.
Cooper993
11-16-2011, 10:56 AM
I know that if you pull the bulb you will get an error on the dash, so that's not an option. However, you could put some hi-temp RTV on the bulb so it isn't so bright
Kandiru
11-16-2011, 06:11 PM
DYI Delete:
1. Get a bone tool, or automotive uphostery plastic tool.
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31bo46YVamL._SL500_AA300_.jpg
2. Grab the left bottom corner of the center trim around the LCD screen,
ie the wing protruding under the speedometer and pull firmly, it will pop out.
Then put the bone tool under the other end over the A/C vent and pull until it
snaps off. Tops snap off easily. Pry with your fingers and find the points of
maximum resistance where the 4 clips are, otherwise too much lateral stress
and they may break off.
3. After you pull it off you will see the wire going to the Airbag/Hazard buttons.
Remove it from the trim by gently pushing it backward (think of it as mounted
into the dash) while prying the retainer clips, it just slides out.
4. Now see the 5 retainer clips holding the Airbag light, pry them off gently. Now
you have the little black button in your hand and are looking at
a matte dispersion screen covering the LED under it. Cut a square of black electrical tape
and trim over the inside surface of the button, reassemble.
DOT specifies the brightness, my last 2 cars had the same annoying bright light with the
same exact wording.
NPuter
11-16-2011, 06:44 PM
No one is discussing how aesthetically appealing the light is. We're complaining because it's extremely annoying and bright when driving at night. If you don't notice it you're either a) blind or b) don't drive at night. The post above regarding Audi's incorrect logic is also 100% true. Check another car and you'll see.
I'm with NWS4Guy on this. I'm not blind and I drive at night all the time. The airbag light does not annoy me at all... In fact, I don't even notice it.
Psalm40
11-16-2011, 08:28 PM
While Kandiru was posting above, I was doing the electrical tape method and taking a few iPhone pics. His explaination is perfect so I'll include some of his with my own commentary.
1. Get a bone tool, or automotive trim plastic tool, or flathead screw driver covered in masking tape. My yellow trim tool is pictured below.
2. Place the trim tool under the bottom edge of the aluminum coloured piece. I started at the right, I think Kandiru started at the left...Gently and firmly pull straight out.
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6107/6352460658_bf25a7fc28_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/68132681@N03/6352460658/)
3. "After you pull it off you will see the wire going to the Airbag/Hazard buttons." I first removed the plastic connection from the switch module itself by pressing the plastic tab {pic} then I took two flat-head screw drivers and pressed the metal tabs in {pic} allowing me to remove the entire switch module from the dash fascia. This allowed me to take the switch module inside where it was warm!
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6225/6352460994_66c8d2de6c_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/68132681@N03/6352460994/)
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6228/6351718791_bc05409450_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/68132681@N03/6351718791/)
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6049/6352461836_e26c6cf7ed_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/68132681@N03/6352461836/)
4." Now see the 5 retainer clips holding the Airbag light, pry them off gently. Now
you have the little black button in your hand and are looking at
a matte dispersion screen covering the LED under it. Cut a square of black electrical tape
and trim over the inside surface of the button, reassemble." (I can't add to that!)
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6213/6351719569_bc1c39b3a8_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/68132681@N03/6351719569/)
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6211/6352462566_a6b33a2b37_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/68132681@N03/6352462566/)
IMG_0295 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/68132681@N03/6352462566/) by psalm45 (http://www.flickr.com/people/68132681@N03/), on Flickr
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6218/6352462898_2173f40901_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/68132681@N03/6352462898/)
I placed a small square of electrical tape on the backside of the button and on the diffuser. There is no NO light shining through. Took me about 15 mins, but I was also talking to my wife while at the same time...
I hope the pics help!
wtrsxn
11-17-2011, 09:47 PM
While Kandiru was posting, I was doing this and taking a few iPhone pics. His explaination is perfect.
Nice write up. THANK YOU.
Psalm40
11-17-2011, 11:31 PM
It worked very nicely on my dark drive home tonight. Now I can dim almost all the lights on the dash.
Hard Driver
11-18-2011, 06:32 AM
Thanks guys.... the light never bothered me until I read this thread.... now it annoys the hell out of me.
HyperM3
11-18-2011, 06:42 AM
I'm with NWS4Guy on this. I'm not blind and I drive at night all the time. The airbag light does not annoy me at all... In fact, I don't even notice it.
Driving the car a year and a half now and until this thread, I never noticed that there and I use my hazards occasionally. Guess some people are more sensitive peripherally than others.
jimf15e
11-18-2011, 07:59 AM
To me it's like an annoying song. Once I noticed it I could never get it out of my peripheral vision. Love Psalm40's DIY though - I'll be doing that this weekend.
Kandiru
11-18-2011, 08:44 AM
Right on Psalm40! Great DYI.
The DOT rubberstamper who implemented the annoying and useless
message i had to delete in my last 3 cars should have a Brazilian street-kid-blinder
ophtalmologist perform phacoemulsification with new lenticular implants
featuring the message in phosphorescent dye, that way he will realize the
magnitude of his FUBAR:)
BobbyJim
11-18-2011, 09:02 AM
So at least in *some* respects we are a bit more sensible here in Europe. No annoying lights for us [:)]
turr520
11-18-2011, 09:14 AM
That light never bothered me before. Hopefully it won't start annoying me now I've read this thread.
Psalm40
11-18-2011, 09:35 AM
That light never bothered me before. Hopefully it won't start annoying me now I've read this thread.
Oh...It will....But it is easy to put a piece of electrical tape over the light diffuser and it's completely reversable if you need to pass inspection or sell the car.
Leor604
11-18-2011, 12:13 PM
Canadian spec cars do not have this light (the button is ONLY to control the hazard lights). Wonder if you could retrofit the Canadian switch without triggering a warning? May have to leave the bulb just hanging in the back. I can post a pic of the switch if anyone's interested.
Psalm40
11-18-2011, 12:27 PM
I thought about ordering a new "ROW" switch a la DavidB8, but that is likely to cost at least $30 bucks if not more. I also couldn't guarentee that the plug in my dash would work since thos plugs only need to work the hazard light switch. Plus, he way the wiring is set-up, you couldn't easily leave the bulb hanging in back, you'd have to splice (Frankenstein) both switches to the same wire.
The electical tape seems to be the best answer so far...at least until someone can say for sure if the ROW switch is cheap and interchangeable with the US version.
jimf15e
11-19-2011, 11:50 AM
Just did this mod. It only took about 15 minutes and it worked out perfectly! I used two layers of electrical tape, can't wait to see how it looks when the sun goes down. Thanks for the GREAT and extremely simple DIY. Now I may be using what I learned to improve on my STi-R+ and V1 display mounts!
Psalm40
11-19-2011, 12:01 PM
Kinda amazing how easy it is to get that dash piece off and amazing how much room is back there around the MMI screen.
dingosatemyaudi
11-22-2011, 12:44 PM
How difficult would it be to bypass (or trigger) the switch in the seat? Anyone who did this would have to insure never to have a child in the front seat of course.
Has anyone successfully implemented the ROW hazard switch?
Dr GP
11-03-2018, 11:11 AM
I remember reading in the past that Canadian cars do not have the airbag warning light at all .I don't have a part number but I believe you can swap it out .Perhaps a Canadian member can confirm and post a picture.
I have the canadian/euro hazard switch on hand. Simple plug and play does not work. It triggers an airbag error light and code in VCDS.
Cooper993
11-08-2018, 06:19 AM
I have the canadian/euro hazard switch on hand. Simple plug and play does not work. It triggers an airbag error light and code in VCDS.
Simply unplugging the switch causes the same result. The system is probably looking for some sort of resistance or continuity across the wire in order to not trigger the code.
Maybe a little jumper or resistor would do the trick
Simply unplugging the switch causes the same result. The system is probably looking for some sort of resistance or continuity across the wire in order to not trigger the code.
Maybe a little jumper or resistor would do the trick
I think I traced down the particular wire which controls the actual airbag light. What would be the best way to test a resistor or jumper?
Cooper993
11-08-2018, 06:41 AM
I'm no expert, but I'd assume that putting a meter across the leads in the switch and measure the Ohms will tell you the size of the resistor to attach to the wire.
You could also try to use a plain piece of wire (jumper) on the connector that attaches to the switch but not sure if that would cause a short or other issues.
I would have to defer to someone with more knowledge than me.
I'm no expert, but I'd assume that putting a meter across the leads in the switch and measure the Ohms will tell you the size of the resistor to attach to the wire.
You could also try to use a plain piece of wire (jumper) on the connector that attaches to the switch but not sure if that would cause a short or other issues.
I would have to defer to someone with more knowledge than me.
Thank you for the input. I will have to look into it some more.
jungy4
11-08-2018, 06:54 PM
Am I the only one that likes it as it is? It's a safety feature that I wouldn't mess with. How many times do you really look at it while you drive?
Am I the only one that likes it as it is? It's a safety feature that I wouldn't mess with. How many times do you really look at it while you drive?
I drive alone almost all the time the bright orange just bugs the hell out of me. Regardless of if the switch is even unplugged you still get a message in the screen between the gauges of the airbag turning on if someone sits down so I dont see the safety advantage of it. If it was such a huge safety advantage every other country would have it too.