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I've been troubleshooting the Airbag failure light that has been on. I went through today and used "Deoxit" on the airbag sensor connectors, but that didn;t work. Today I noticed that that both the Airbag light and the Seat Belt light are on.
I have the same thing happening on my car. It is my understanding that the warning lights won't turn off until you clear the error code with a Bosch Hammer or similar tool. Spraying Deoxit on the sensor connectors has a good chance of stopping the warning lights from reappearing once the error code has been cleared. I have to get mine cleared as well as it's pretty annoying.
Ugh. That's unfortunate, they have to be cleared! That makes troubleshooting a very expensive proposition, i.e. change one thing, go to indy for reset
I'll keep trying to walk the circuit and clean everything I can before heading to the mechanic. My car inspection has expired so travelling with the vehicle is risky. Thanks for the throught.
BTW, do you know if there is an occupancy sensor in the front pasenger seat?
The two issues are unrelated. the seat belt is a simple circuit - once you fix it it will clear the error. Only the Air bag warning is "latching" and needs the hammer to clear it. Basically it is for safety reasons - if you have an intermittent fault in the airbag - it can be a real safety problem > idea is you take it in and the dealer checks the system out fully. I have had an unknown fault that once cleared didn't recur again.
That sounds reasonable. I'm searching around to find a device to reset. The car's inspection has expired and in VA they won't pass the car if the light is on.
Hope it is an easy reset... The 1990 is a strange Airbag Model Year.
Originally Posted by jej3
Hey Sean -
<SNIP>
I am in the same boat, 1990 S4 with a failed Airbag module. The 1990 airbag design is more challenging than later years as the 1990 is one unit with cables integrated, which snake up under the dash...
Seems like it would be easier to overcome in the later models....
With that said, I think there is a certain level of communication between the module (5 in both pictures) and whatever central warning computer exists.
I've gone so far as to buy a replacement 1990 Airbag controller and all the wiring for when I remove the dash, although I'd just as soon disable it.