Mk7 air bag light constantly on

[Bill H]

Any help here appreciated.
Ive got a Mk7 with the air bnag light constantly on.
Removed air bag and replaced the squib, now Ive got air bag light and ESP light on constantly.
Removed all again and I cant see anything wronmg with installation, only one issue as I put it back together - I seem to have an extra plag as part of loom down on LH side of the column near the squib plug and radio controls plug. FOr the life of me I cant see where it goes - so assumed its for a feature I dont have.
ANy ideas on this? Or am I just a numpty for not noting where it came from.

[Bill H]

Right - Ive found out where the extra plug goes, the new Squib has arrived without the steering angle bit, so needed to swap this over from the old one and the plug goes into that.
Still got the airbag light opn solid though.
Saw on one posting on here that a 22ohm resistor across the airbag terminals simulates the air bag so can use this as a diagnostic, anyone tried this before or had experience of where to look next?

[loot]

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=161901

[Bill H]

Thanks Loot, yes I saw this and read right through, its almost identical to my problem except I wasnt making any upgrades or changing anything.
AIrbag light was intermittent a week or so ago and now is on solid.
Pretty sure I got the squib reassembled and back in correctly including the centering, I can meter from the connector into the wiring loom up to the yellow cable going to the airbag and have continuity, so the new squib looks OK, just had the control module out and checked for bent poins and loose plugs - no problem (the control module is just above the clutch pedal isnt it? looks as though its the right module although it says 'Restraint Module' on it, I put part number in to Google and the description is all about airbag.
Waiting for another control module to arrive, but in meantime I was just gpoing to jumper across the airbag connectpor (without the bag of course) to see if the light goes out., if it stays on Ive got a module or wiring failure, if it goes out I guess Ive got an airbag problem - would you agree?
ANyone any idea of the value of the resistor? - Ive seen 22 ohms but also a few posts saying 2.2ohms,
Damn airbag has been in and out so many times Im getting pretty hot and prising those clips off.....

[loot]

Yes the rcm is the right module you are looking at

You need ids or equivalent diagnostics to initialize it and really you should get it on ids to read the faults stored tbh, it'll tell you more or less where the problem is, it's a pretty simple system, airbag goes to rcm, seatbelt pretensioner goes to rcm and rcm goes to can bus and power etc. (Standard single airbag system without passenger airbag or side impact airbags suggested)

If you find that when you are driving for a while later that your esp light comes on you'll need to recalibrate your steering sensor due to it being disturbed, happened to me once

I always thought the airbag bridge was 5ohms but I've never managed to bypass it unfortunately so can't advise there

[Bill H]

Thanks Loot, yes Ive got the ESP light on now.
I centred the squib antioclock 'till tight then 3 turns CW,
How do you calibrate the ESP?

[loot]

Ids diagnostic machine will calibrate it and also read and clear codes

Where are you based?

[Bill H]

Near Southampton

[loot]

Ah can't see anyone on the ids map that's close to you

Someone might read this who has ids near you but if not you'll need to find a garage that does diagnostics

[Mark0]

Hi Bill your issue is exactly the same as mine. I even returned to the original squib and the light was intermittant again. Go back to the new and it was on permanently. The steering wheel part was being done as i was messing with the squib so thought i would upgrade at the same time. I have had to buy a different type of airbag for the new wheel so will let you know if this makes any difference as i guess any part can become faulty over time. I think i read you also had a 2.4 rwd which has to be more than coincidence that we are both using the same setup and have the same issue. If you do manage to figure it out please post on this or my thread and i will do the same. Its annoying as hell! Off out again to try the new wheel and bag now like you i am now an expert at removing these so if anyone is ever stuck in south wales!! Will let you know how i get on

[loot]

Fingers crossed

Ideally anyone with an srs warning lamp on the mk7 and plugs it in will get an error code relating to the problem either the airbag, pretensioner or module should flag a code.

[Mark0]

Its cleared!!!!!! Took starting about 4 times but it went. Admittedly i also moved the drivers seat searching to see if i could see anything attached that maybe lose so possible loose connection around there somewhere BUT it has cleared. Got the bloody esp on now though so looks like i will needs ids but will need it to switch cc on anyway so its gotta be done. Will see if it comes on intermittantly as before but stayed off for a quick spin down the road! Wheel looks good too!