Author Topic: ABS and Airbag light is always on  (Read 2295 times)

Offline funkyfive

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ABS and Airbag light is always on
« on: 25 June 2009, 14:42 »
When i bought the car i soon noticed the abs and airbag lights module was missing, so i went to a scape yard and found one off a crashed golf gti.

To my horror i put the module in and now the lights are on all the time.

I have checked vag.com and there are no errors.

I am extremely worried as my wife drives this car with my children in it.

Can anyone help?

Offline Adam

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Re: ABS and Airbag light is always on
« Reply #1 on: 25 June 2009, 14:45 »
See if your ABS is functional, try to lock your wheels up.

Could you try another module?

Down Hill From Here.

Offline funkyfive

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Re: ABS and Airbag light is always on
« Reply #2 on: 25 June 2009, 15:35 »
ABS seems fine and i dont have another module to test. Any other ideas? Could it be an earthing issue maybe?

Offline funkyfive

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Re: ABS and Airbag light is always on
« Reply #3 on: 26 June 2009, 06:52 »
Update so far.

The front left ABS sensor is going to be replaced. Great news as this is only £18.11 from euro car parts

But the airbag is still an issue.  I have removed it and put it back on again to see if its a cable issue and this did not work.

Do they have a life span? Does anyone have any ideas if theres anything else i should check or do?


Offline chilli_dub

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Re: ABS and Airbag light is always on
« Reply #4 on: 26 June 2009, 08:08 »
Have you given the fuseboard a thorough check over? Could even be a fuse for the airbag. Failing that release the fuseboard and pull it out and check all the connections at the back, make sure nothing is loose or disconnected. If still no joy you could try an airbag from someone that is breaking a mk3.

Offline funkyfive

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Re: ABS and Airbag light is always on
« Reply #5 on: 26 June 2009, 08:46 »
Have you given the fuseboard a thorough check over? Could even be a fuse for the airbag. Failing that release the fuseboard and pull it out and check all the connections at the back, make sure nothing is loose or disconnected. If still no joy you could try an airbag from someone that is breaking a mk3.

I have not checked the fuseboard yet as i cannot find any fuses or relays for the airbag according to the Haynes manual.

The only fuse i can find is for the warning lights and thats fine.

I am going to the Scape yard today to see if there is an airbag i can get on the cheap to test.

Offline funkyfive

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Re: ABS and Airbag light is always on
« Reply #6 on: 26 June 2009, 16:55 »
Have you given the fuseboard a thorough check over? Could even be a fuse for the airbag. Failing that release the fuseboard and pull it out and check all the connections at the back, make sure nothing is loose or disconnected. If still no joy you could try an airbag from someone that is breaking a mk3.

I have not checked the fuseboard yet as i cannot find any fuses or relays for the airbag according to the Haynes manual.

The only fuse i can find is for the warning lights and thats fine.

I am going to the Scape yard today to see if there is an airbag i can get on the cheap to test.

Another two problems

1. The airbag from the scape yard did not fix the issue
2. Spoken to a vw specialist and they believe there is a sensor or connector under the drivers seat which could be the problem.

Offline DOA

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Re: ABS and Airbag light is always on
« Reply #7 on: 26 June 2009, 17:38 »
Sounds similar to my old E36 bmw (I took the seats out and didnt realise this would pee the airbag light off lol). There is normally a wire connected to the underside of the seat that needs re-connecting though on the BM you needed a special re-setting device to get the light to go out, dont know if its the same on mk3's?

Offline Adam

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Re: ABS and Airbag light is always on
« Reply #8 on: 26 June 2009, 17:46 »
There is a device called a pre tensioner that pulls you back into your seat when an in an impact. Thats what he is prob on about?

Down Hill From Here.

Offline funkyfive

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Re: ABS and Airbag light is always on
« Reply #9 on: 26 June 2009, 18:06 »
There is a device called a pre tensioner that pulls you back into your seat when an in an impact. Thats what he is prob on about?

Do you know where the pre tensioner is located?

I have looked under the seat and cannot find a thing.