Cannot Clear Airbag Light from a Crashed Cluster

[tjm0852]

I have a cluster from a mk3 that was in an accident and the front airbag(s) were deployed and put it in my mk3. The airbag light is on and I cannot clear it with Vag. When I scan or go into the airbag controller there are no errors or codes. The light goes off but as soon as I exit the controller the light comes back.

What do I need to do to clear the airbag light?

Thanks

[Theresias]

Is the airbag control module new, if so is it already coded? You may want to post a complete Auto-Scan.

[tjm0852]

The only thing I changed was the instrument cluster (97 jetta)

Where would the airbag conrol module be?

I can post my results from a vag scan, but there were no codes or errors from the airbag controller, I did include airbags in the AutoScan.

Thanks

[Uwe]

It's possible your "new" instrument cluster is defective or simply not compatible with the airbag controller in the car.

Unfortunately, Mk.3 clusters are not diagnostics-capable. Still, it couldn't hur to post the part numbers from both the original and the new cluster.

-Uwe-

[tjm0852]

VAG-COM Version: Release 512.4-D

Monday,12,February,2007,11:44:41

Chassis Type: 1H - VW G/J/V Mk3
Scan: 01 02 03 08 12 15 25 41 56

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 01: Engine
Part No: 037 906 259 E
Component: MOTRONIC M5.9 HS V09
Coding: 00004
Shop #: WSC 00066

3 Faults Found:
16826 - EVAP Emission Control Sys: Small Leak
P0442 - 35-00 - -
16556 - Fuel Trim; Bank 1: System Too Rich
P0172 - 35-10 - - - Intermittent
00750 - Warning Lamp
31-00 - Open or Short to Ground
Readiness: 0000 0000

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 15: Airbags
Part No: 6N0 909 603 D
Component: AIRBAG VW2 V00
Coding: 00068
Shop #: WSC 00066

No fault code found.

End --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Here is the part number from my original cluster:
1HM 919 910D
1 812 012 0588

Thanks

[Theresias]

Quote, originally posted by tjm0852 »

VAG-COM Version: Release 512.4-D

Please update to a current version of VAG-COM.

Quote, originally posted by tjm0852 »

00750 - Warning Lamp 31-00 - Open or Short to Ground

Here you go... Obviously there is something wrong with your wiring...

[tjm0852]

Quote, originally posted by Theresias »

Here you go... Obviously there is something wrong with your wiring...

The wiring in the car is OK, well it works fine with 2 other speedo's(no airbag light) so I imagine your refering to wiring inside the cluster?

I know the CEL bulb is burnt out perhaps that is the warning lamp open or short.

I will update to the most current verison.

[Theresias]

I'm getting to a point where I think the new cluster is incompatible. Back in the time when I retrofitted an MK4 cluster in my MK3 we noticed that the actuation of the airbag warning lamp differs based on the model year of the car. To confirm, please post the part numbers of all cluster you tried and also note which worked and which not.

[BlownJettaVR6]

FWIW - I have the same problem. I swapped to a 97 cluster in my 96 and the exact same thing happened. For now, I have the airbag light pulled from the cluster...

[Peter Badore]

I tested a good 98 GLX VR6 cluster in my 96 GTI VR6. Both cars were 5 speeds and both clusters worked correctly in their respective original applications (the 98 GLX was a rear crashed parts car so it could not be driven to see if the speedo/odometer really worked properly). But the 98 GLX cluster airbag light worked backwards when I tested them with my VAG1552. What is the model year of the cluster you are trying to use? I also think that the clusters are incompatible.

[BlownJettaVR6]

My car was built 1/96 and the cluster part number was 1HM 919 930FI. The cluster I put in it was dated 5/1/97 with part number 1HM 919 930 T

[gwebel]

If you were in a crash and even just one airbag was deployed, you MUST replace the airbag control module and recode it.

[Theresias]

Quote, originally posted by gwebel »

If you were in a crash and even just one airbag was deployed, you MUST replace the airbag control module and recode it.

As you can see in the above scan the control module is OK and coded.

[Peter Badore]

Between the 96 model year and the 98 model the A3 G/J airbag control module design was changed sufficiently to prevent interchangeability. I wonder if that is part of the reason that the airbag light remains on for swaps (or works backwards with the VAG 1552 scan tool).

[BlownJettaVR6]

I was talking to the guy that I bought my car from and he said that there was an issue with the VAG-COM and you should never do the airbag diagnostics on the car or it would cause the airbag light to be permanently on. He said they used to have warnings right on their website that said not to do it???

[rayvwbug]

I know this thread is old, but I have experienced the same thing with 2 1997 Jettas when trying to install three different 98 manufacture date clusters. Bentley schematics seem to indicate I should be able to do this, but the airbag light works exactly backwards- on when it should be off, then turns off when it should be on, such as when scanning with the Vag-Com. I would greatly appreciate any thoughts on resolving this issue. There are no fault codes stored in either car's airbag module, and the light works correctly in the one car when replaced with the original cluster. Thanks!

Ray

[Peter Badore]

I know this thread is old, but I have experienced the same thing with 2 1997 Jettas when trying to install three different 98 manufacture date clusters. Bentley schematics seem to indicate I should be able to do this, but the airbag light works exactly backwards- on when it should be off, then turns off when it should be on, such as when scanning with the Vag-Com. I would greatly appreciate any thoughts on resolving this issue. There are no fault codes stored in either car's airbag module, and the light works correctly in the one car when replaced with the original cluster. Thanks!

Ray

As I posted above I believe the part number change between the 96 and 97 model year versus 98
indicates that the swap is incompatible. I do not believe there is an error in the airbag system as I have repaired many VW and Audi cars with deployed airbags--just incompatibility between model years I/P clusters.

[Dana @ Ross-Tech]

As I posted above I believe the part number change between the 96 and 97 model year versus 98
indicates that the swap is incompatible. I do not believe there is an error in the airbag system as I have repaired many VW and Audi cars with deployed airbags--just incompatibility between model years I/P clusters.

I agree. I've seen a few cars, typically used car lots that purchased auction cars with unknown history, with this issue. New and remanufactured clusters were still available at that time but it could be difficult to simply order a direct replacement now due to the age of the vehicle?

Based on memory alone I believe the Airbag light bulb sockets moved a few times over the years making the actual location inside the cluster vary and some of the really old Mk3 models had that lamp above the headlamp switch instead of the cluster at all.

[rayvwbug]

Thanks to both of you. I have accepted the "reverse light phenomena" as something I will live with, or at least until I can find a 1997 manufacture date cluster.

Ray