DIY: B6/B7 Airbag light (Audi TSB)

**szinkuti** · 06-06-2009 01:03 PM

The first thing to do before starting this repair is to disconnect the battery!
I do not disconnect the battery because I am familiar with the system and know how it operates. With that said let me begin. (ALSO APPLIES FOR A4'S)

AND SORRY FOR CELL PHONE PICS.....I forgot to take my camera

Here is the airbag light on! (my car/happened last week)
You will need a VAG setup of some kind

You will also need these ( I will try and get part#'s monday)

Tools need...you can substitute the heat gun with a lighter

Check faults!

Remove the 2 front bolts holding the seat

Pop off this cover so the seatbelt can be disconencted

Remove 2 back bolts holding seat

Disconnect seatbelt

Use a triple square tool size 10 with ratchet

Remove headrest (makes removing the seat much easier)

Push this tab to remove headrest

Place seat in this position and then lean seat back (still connected)

Remove this cover (just pops/slides out)

The first three connectors just "yank" out/the airbag connector (yellow)
has a tab to push!!!!

Place a sheet/towl/fender cover down (prevent scratching trim)

Remove seat/place on bench or ground

You will be removing this connector and replacing it with 2 wires.
THIS IS AN AUDI APPROVED REPAIR/TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN FOR THIS REPAIR!!!!

Cut felt tape wrap back to give you some room to work with the wiring

Set up wiring with butt-connectors attached

Using heat gun to melt heat shrink wrap (a lighter can be used/works nicely)

The use of some electrical tape and zip tie

Notice the fault has gone "Sporadic"

And that's about it...MODS please move to DYI's if approved?..total time around 1 hour for me and thats with taking pictures (check clock on cluster)
Thanks for reading and I hope this helps someone!!!

**pcasso87** · 06-06-2009 01:18 PM

Nice writeup !!!

**szinkuti** · 06-06-2009 06:18 PM

as i was driving my car out of the shop my p/s front window regulator took a shit :(

**Beelzeebub** · 06-06-2009 06:39 PM

nice write up. thanks.

**Veereihen6** · 06-06-2009 08:04 PM

nice write-up!!!! I just had the Airbag throw a code a couple of weeks ago. I haven't had the time to look into it yet, but this looks like something I can tackle! Part numbers for the wires and butt connectors would be cool, or just what gauge wires so I can rummage through the parts bins in the electronic assembly dept at work! LOL

Thanks again man!!!!

**Bravest NY S4** · 06-06-2009 09:09 PM

Excellent work..

**B6JoeS4** · 06-11-2009 09:21 AM

so do i need to just remove the connector and connect blue to blue and black to black?

**szinkuti** · 06-11-2009 10:13 AM

Originally Posted by B6JoeA4

so do i need to just remove the connector and connect blue to blue and black to black?

this is correct..its pretty simple...here are the part #'s
butt connectors-000 979 940 (x4)
wire-000 979 009 (x1)

**muttwagon** · 02-13-2010 03:03 PM

great write up!

just so i understand this correctly, basically you're just cutting the yellow clip out and then using something like 14-16 gauge wire with butt connectors in it's place? and this eliminates the sometimes faulty yellow connector?

**Kookie** · 02-13-2010 05:30 PM

Mmmmmm... SMRT people.

**oripaamoni** · 02-15-2010 10:10 PM

This also happened to me in my 2005.5 b7 s4 but that connector has 3 wires in it. I did the same thing you guys did but with 3 wires and all my problems went away. (i had the same issue in my early 2006 GTI and fixed it the same way)

**dewey527** · 02-19-2010 03:25 PM

Awesome write-up and easy!!! You have answered my prayers. Did it over the wknd and just had Pepboys clear the code - no more airbag light that has been on for roughly two years...

**szinkuti** · 02-21-2010 05:49 PM

Glad to help!!

**CoreyRS** · 12-13-2010 05:46 PM

I know this is old....but this doesn't affect the functionality of the airbag, correct?

**Elliott** · 12-23-2010 01:11 PM

Originally Posted by CoreyRS

I know this is old....but this doesn't affect the functionality of the airbag, correct?

It shouldn't. If the airbag light is off then they are functioning properly.

**djs** · 01-28-2011 08:07 PM

Why isn't this in the DIY Forum?

**h_curtis** · 02-06-2011 09:16 AM

Firstly, thank you for writing this up.

I got this code:
1218 side airbag igniter
passenger side (n200)
001 upper limit exceeded

Seems this situation can happen on either side and the problem can be fixed the same way. Here is the other side on a VW, but looks the same.

http://forums.vwvortex.com/showthread.php?2815467

**djs** · 02-08-2011 07:12 AM

Question....are the part numbers for the wires and butt connectors Audi part numbers? Can you buy those at the dealer?

**h_curtis** · 02-08-2011 12:05 PM

Thanks for this information. It worked great on the passenger side. The only difference is it didn't say, "sporadic". It said something else, but I didn't write it down. None-the-less, it worked the same.

**walky_talky20** · 02-13-2011 10:02 AM

Wow, those part numbers listed are the most hilariously overpriced items I've ever seen, lol. That's $8 for the wire and $3 per butt connector, making this repair cost $20 at the Audi parts counter. Talk about markup. I'd get some wire, solder it in, and be done. Solder would be a more reliable connection anyhow. And when I think airbags...I think reliable.

**A4SoftWalker** · 03-26-2011 11:20 AM

This is a VERY nice DIY.

.

A lot of Audi wiring fixes - most noteably the wiring supplying the coilpacks require crimp/butt connectors due to changes in resistance that the solder introduces into the circuit. This resistance change might affect future proper operation of the ckt.

**djs** · 04-28-2011 06:55 AM

Originally Posted by walky_talky20

Wow, those part numbers listed are the most hilariously overpriced items I've ever seen, lol. That's $8 for the wire and $3 per butt connector, making this repair cost $20 at the Audi parts counter. Talk about markup. I'd get some wire, solder it in, and be done. Solder would be a more reliable connection anyhow. And when I think airbags...I think reliable.

I got you beat, I went to the local dealer here yesterday to pick up these parts.....

Wire - $25
Connectors - $10 EACH (SERIOUSLY!?!?!?)
Total $65

Looks like I'll be doing the Autozone/RadioShack version of this fix. Anybody know the gauge of that wire?

**szinkuti** · 04-28-2011 06:55 PM

you can pick up the stuff to do this job at oReillys...not supposed to to solder...especially on the airbag circuit...

**sa_seahawker** · 04-28-2011 07:11 PM

hmmm...I also wonder if this will fix my problem. I had my airbag light come on about a year ago. But I've been lazy and haven't gotten around to checking the code.

-subscribed-

**djs** · 05-04-2011 01:01 PM

Guys, for the record this is 0.5mm diameter wire which is 20 gauge (AWG). It sells for $0.19 per foot at O'Reily Auto Parts. While you're there, you can pick up the butt connectors for $0.99 each. So assuming 2 feet of wire (allowing for margin of error) and 4 connectors, you're looking at $4.40 + Tax. I can't believe my dealership wanted to charge me $65, dear god.

**aalipio** · 09-07-2011 11:45 PM

Gotta do this! Suhweet! Why is it so common for the airbag light to occasionally fault out? Both lights on my b6a4 and b6s4 are now on! Sheesh

**Bobby417919** · 01-28-2012 10:12 AM

Ok so I went to do this weekend and the bottom of the b6 is a little different, and its pictures are moved right now.. so before I cut it out I want to be sure. Is this the correct connection to cut out?

**S4King** · 03-21-2012 02:51 PM

Is this code part of the repair?
20120321_164524.jpg

**sa_seahawker** · 03-21-2012 07:10 PM

Originally Posted by Bobby417919

Ok so I went to do this weekend and the bottom of the b6 is a little different, and its pictures are moved right now.. so before I cut it out I want to be sure. Is this the correct connection to cut out?

I cut out the connector but still have an airbag light...I'm guessing I'm going to have to VAGCOM it to clear the code???

**04 S4** · 09-18-2012 12:50 PM

Originally Posted by sa_seahawker

I cut out the connector but still have an airbag light...I'm guessing I'm going to have to VAGCOM it to clear the code???

Yes you will.

This is actually the reason I bought vagcom :P

**diaftia** · 10-19-2012 09:27 AM

Does this TSB apply to more than just B6/B7's? My RS6 is doing this. I clear the error and it comes right back.

**RoccityRider** · 12-21-2012 12:59 PM

Will this work for "airbag fault to ground"?

**guardsredcoupe** · 03-11-2013 10:57 AM

I did this repair today, great writeup. If the light comes back, I'll post a reply. Otherwise, assume this was a good fix.

Here are the search terms that apply to this fix: 01218 and 01217.

**rawtor51** · 03-31-2013 02:25 AM

Originally Posted by RoccityRider

Will this work for "airbag fault to ground"?

Sorry to bump this old thread back up but i would also like to know about the above quote.

**sa_seahawker** · 03-31-2013 05:07 AM

Originally Posted by rawtor51

Sorry to bump this old thread back up but i would also like to know about the above quote.

I'm guessing if your car has never had any airbags deployed, then probably yes. If you have had a deployment and sent it to a body shop, take it back there and tell them to fix it. Most reputable shops offer lifetime warranty on their repairs. Even if it doesn't fix that problem, you should probably just go ahead and do it anyway...

**MidwestB6** · 09-20-2013 08:15 PM

The dealership wanted just over $800 to replace the airbag, did this today and looks good so far. Best $3 I've ever spent.

**Kodymfk** · 10-28-2013 05:28 PM

Hey guys, need a little help here if possible. I have an B6 A4. I'm getting a diff code than what I've saw on here. I did the wire trick with the 2 wires and connector and deleted the code. The code comes back a second after I clear it. The code I am getting is. 01221- Crash Sensor Side Airbag; Driver Side (G179) 012-Electrical Fault in Circuit - MIL ON Any help is greatly appreciated.

P.S. Some of the DIY photos on this thread are missing with an error code.

**offseri** · 11-16-2013 07:11 PM

bump for missing pics in the dyi

**igotonee** · 02-08-2014 10:37 AM

can update missing pics on dyi? want to do this soon on my b6.

**customa4** · 02-28-2014 08:15 AM

Originally Posted by B6JoeS4

so do i need to just remove the connector and connect blue to blue and black to black?

Originally Posted by szinkuti

this is correct..its pretty simple...here are the part #'s
butt connectors-000 979 940 (x4)
wire-000 979 009 (x1)

Look at the comments above^^

It's a very easy fix. If you pay attention closely in the picture, there is a blue and black wire that were cut. After that you would cut on the other side of the connector to eliminate the connector. You're just adding an extension to each wire so they reach each other without the connector in place. So you take the wire you bought and the butt connectors and connect blue to blue and black to black with the extra length of wire. I was confused at first also with the most important pictures not being hosted anymore but after reading the comments it's a very simple procedure.