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Model specific boards => Golf mk4 => Topic started by: chrisyboy on 08 April 2013, 09:06

Title: MK4 Golf just failed MOT on Airbag Warning Light, help needed!!
Post by: chrisyboy on 08 April 2013, 09:06
Hey Guys

I am in a bit of a pickle, my MK4 Golf GTI has just failed its MOT as the Airbag warning light is on an apparently from April this year the laws has changed and this is now an indefinite failure! The problem is I think there is something wrong with the diagnostic port on the car, 3 people have tried connecting to it and every time, the ECU can’t be found! The guy at the garage said between me and you ‘take the bulb out’. After some research this is not possible as the light is an LED soldered to the board, not a bulb! I have read online and I have seen various things, one was to solder a resistor to the connections under the seat and some people have said put a sticker over the warning light?? I have another option but not sure if it will work, there is a fuse, number 11 which if I pull out shuts down of all dashboard (binnacle), do you think it would fail on the retest if the dash/dials aren’t working?

Thanks for reading this
Title: Re: MK4 Golf just failed MOT on Airbag Warning Light, help needed!!
Post by: dom on 08 April 2013, 10:17
First things first, have you checked under the seats to make sure that the airbags are plugged in?

Even if you fix the fault you will need to clear the airbag fault via vagcom to turn the light off. What year is your car?
Title: Re: MK4 Golf just failed MOT on Airbag Warning Light, help needed!!
Post by: Bellend on 08 April 2013, 10:25
Even if you fix the fault you will need to clear the airbag fault via vagcom to turn the light off. What year is your car?

This.

A lot of cars will clear themselves but the MK4 won't.

I find quite a few scanners are hit and miss on the MK4. Get a VAG-COM on it.
Title: Re: MK4 Golf just failed MOT on Airbag Warning Light, help needed!!
Post by: chrisyboy on 08 April 2013, 10:25
I lifted both front seats and checked connectors, everything looked fine, unplugged them both and reconnected them! I think there is something wrong with the feed to the diagnostic port on the car, one mechanic tried VAGCOM, and VCDS, I have also tried one of those cheap scanners from eBay and nothing, no system seems to read the ECU. The car is a 2000 VW Golf MK4 GTI 115 bhp, now I am stuck until I can somehow clear the fault or work around it!
Title: Re: MK4 Golf just failed MOT on Airbag Warning Light, help needed!!
Post by: chrisyboy on 08 April 2013, 12:27
update - cant pull out fuse as indicator lights, hazard lights need to be illuminating on the instrument cluster! Last option, sticker over the warning light, sounds stupid but I have heard that a garage cant physically check Airbag system and is not permitted to interfere with the car, ie pulling off stickers, any ideas?

If I remove the cluster, does it need to be re-coded when I reconnect it back it or is that just if you upgrade to a different unit?
Title: Re: MK4 Golf just failed MOT on Airbag Warning Light, help needed!!
Post by: mcgee9t2 on 08 April 2013, 12:42
if it was me, i wouldnt be putting a sticker over it. ide be getting the problem fixed, how do you know the air bag light isnt on because there is something wrong with the system...

somethings you can afford to cheep out on, the safety features you cant.

just my 2pence worth. not able to help you on the problem, but if it was me and people have already had a look and cant sort it ide be taking it to the dealers and let them sort it. expensive, but surely worth more than your face...
Title: Re: MK4 Golf just failed MOT on Airbag Warning Light, help needed!!
Post by: dom on 08 April 2013, 12:45
update - cant pull out fuse as indicator lights, hazard lights need to be illuminating on the instrument cluster! Last option, sticker over the warning light, sounds stupid but I have heard that a garage cant physically check Airbag system and is not permitted to interfere with the car, ie pulling off stickers, any ideas?

If I remove the cluster, does it need to be re-coded when I reconnect it back it or is that just if you upgrade to a different unit?

In order to pass the MOT the airbag light must illuminate when ignition is turned on then go off, covering up the light will still be a fail.
Title: Re: MK4 Golf just failed MOT on Airbag Warning Light, help needed!!
Post by: Benny.banks on 08 April 2013, 13:22
take your clocks out, take your clocks apart put a sticker over the icon., reasamble. job done.
Title: Re: MK4 Golf just failed MOT on Airbag Warning Light, help needed!!
Post by: dom on 08 April 2013, 13:25
take your clocks out, take your clocks apart put a sticker over the icon., reasamble. job done.

:rolleyes:
Title: Re: MK4 Golf just failed MOT on Airbag Warning Light, help needed!!
Post by: chrisyboy on 08 April 2013, 14:39
"In order to pass the MOT the airbag light must illuminate when ignition is turned on then go off, covering up the light will still be a fail."

Can you please advise where you got this info from? Cheers
Title: Re: MK4 Golf just failed MOT on Airbag Warning Light, help needed!!
Post by: dom on 08 April 2013, 15:57
"In order to pass the MOT the airbag light must illuminate when ignition is turned on then go off, covering up the light will still be a fail."

Can you please advise where you got this info from? Cheers

Section 5.4 of the MOT tester guidelines states a reason for rejection as:

Quote
A Supplementary Restraint System (SRS) malfunction indicator lamp:

. inoperative

. indicating a system malfunction.

This information can be found here:

http://www.motuk.co.uk/manual_540.htm (http://www.motuk.co.uk/manual_540.htm)

and here:

http://www.dvlni.gov.uk/Freedom%20of%20Information/Light%20Vehicle%20Inspection%20Manual/Seat%20Belts%20and%20Supplementary%20Restraint%20Systems%20_SRS_.pdf (http://www.dvlni.gov.uk/Freedom%20of%20Information/Light%20Vehicle%20Inspection%20Manual/Seat%20Belts%20and%20Supplementary%20Restraint%20Systems%20_SRS_.pdf)
Title: Re: MK4 Golf just failed MOT on Airbag Warning Light, help needed!!
Post by: chrisyboy on 08 April 2013, 16:13
bugger I am screwed then my car is off the road due to an Airbag light, great!!

Title: Re: MK4 Golf just failed MOT on Airbag Warning Light, help needed!!
Post by: dom on 08 April 2013, 16:27
bugger I am screwed then my car is off the road due to an Airbag light, great!!

You need to work out why your diagnostics port isn't working, you are scanning with the ignition on aren't you?

First step would be to check the fuse, I think it's number 12.

If that is ok I'd disconnect the battery for 10 mins then try again.

Do you have an aftermarket headunit? If so make sure nothing is connected to the 'K line' as shown in this picture:

(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y146/Imagewerx/ISO1.jpg)

More info can be found here:

http://www.ross-tech.com/vag-com/aftermarket-radio.html
 (http://www.ross-tech.com/vag-com/aftermarket-radio.html)
Where are you in the country?
Title: Re: MK4 Golf just failed MOT on Airbag Warning Light, help needed!!
Post by: chrisyboy on 08 April 2013, 16:39
hi there thanks for the info that's great! Firstly I brought one of those ELM Bluetooth devices, didn't work then I purchased the memoscan U281, didn't work. there is power there as its running the devices, nothing seems to connect to the ECU. A local mechanic tried his software, he used 2 programs and the same thing no connection to ECU. The car is now out of MOT as well so I am without a car until I can get this sorted!

That's interesting about the headunit, it does have an aftermarket unit installed before I got the car, sorry to be an idiot but what exactly am I checking, the plug for the headunit?

Oh I am in Suffolk by the way
Title: Re: MK4 Golf just failed MOT on Airbag Warning Light, help needed!!
Post by: dom on 08 April 2013, 17:11
I don't know a huge amount about it but there is loads of info out there, I'm sure someone with more knowledge will be along sometime to correct me if I'm wrong.

The way I understand it is, the plug in the picture above is the ISO plug which will be in the back of your headunit, you need to make sure that there is nothing connected to the "K line" as I believe this is reserved for data transfer. If something is connected then it can stop the OBD port from working.
Title: Re: MK4 Golf just failed MOT on Airbag Warning Light, help needed!!
Post by: chrisyboy on 08 April 2013, 17:26
thanks bud good info, simplifying this I have looked into this and if the K-Line wire is in the head unit plug, surely if I disconnect the plug from the head unit then with a bit of luck my scanner will work if the head units not plugged in, or am I wrong do you think?
Title: Re: MK4 Golf just failed MOT on Airbag Warning Light, help needed!!
Post by: dom on 08 April 2013, 17:31
thanks bud good info, simplifying this I have looked into this and if the K-Line wire is in the head unit plug, surely if I disconnect the plug from the head unit then with a bit of luck my scanner will work if the head units not plugged in, or am I wrong do you think?

Yeah, if there is a wire in the plug remove/cut it then try scanning again :wink:
Title: Re: MK4 Golf just failed MOT on Airbag Warning Light, help needed!!
Post by: chrisyboy on 09 April 2013, 15:47
UPDATE

Removed aftermarket head unit, disconnected the plug from the back of the head unit, plugged my Memoscan U281 in the diagnostics port, Ignition on and bobs your uncle, faults found and cleared!!

Amazing, who would have thought it, you guys on here have all saved me a small fortune, thanks for the help !!!!!!!
Title: Re: MK4 Golf just failed MOT on Airbag Warning Light, help needed!!
Post by: Rhyso on 09 April 2013, 15:52
Result  :cool:

Good work Dom  :wink:
Title: Re: MK4 Golf just failed MOT on Airbag Warning Light, help needed!!
Post by: dom on 09 April 2013, 16:33
UPDATE

Removed aftermarket head unit, disconnected the plug from the back of the head unit, plugged my Memoscan U281 in the diagnostics port, Ignition on and bobs your uncle, faults found and cleared!!

Amazing, who would have thought it, you guys on here have all saved me a small fortune, thanks for the help !!!!!!!

Glad to hear it's sorted :afro:

Result  :cool:

Good work Dom  :wink:

Cheers Rhys, I can occasionally be of use on here :grin: