Mk 4 Ibiza Airbag warning light

[muddyboots]

A while ago the airbag warning light came on my TDI 130. I took it to the dealer, who said there were no fault codes stored in the ECU, but the light still kept coming on - and they didn't know why.

Anyway, I went back today to book it in for an investigation, only to find the bloke in front of me at the service desk has exactly the same problem, and they still haven't been able to fix it.

Anyone else had this problem on a new Ibiza ?

The light goes out as normal at startup, then after a second or two delay comes on permanently.

 

[Tom B]

I can't say I've had it but it may be a faulty switch or something, possibly something to do with the passenger airbag lock in the glovebox. A bit of opening and shutting on the glovebox might have dislodged something.

 

[muddyboots]

Hmm, that's a thought, I might have a play with the deactivation switch and see if that makes any difference...

 

[Fen]

I did - it was the seatbelt pretensioner on the driver's side. It was picked up by the dealer computer though.

Once the airbag light is on it needs to be reset manually - it'll stay on now until you get a diag computer plugged in to reset it.

 

[danny842003]

unless theres no faults in the memorys. then u cant re set it.
and if there no faults in the memorys it means theres something wrong. sommething serious. my guess dash pannel insert, or airbag ECU

 

[muddyboots]

No faults have been stored.
The dealer had changed the dash insert of the other chap with the same problem, but it didn't fix it.

Is the airbag ECU a separate unit, or part of the engine ECU ?

 

[cupragaz]

i've had a few and have changed the slip rings in the past and has done the job if not ecu

 

[danny842003]

its a different unit.

 

[muddyboots]

Thought I'd follow this up, as the cause has been identified.

When I first took it in, the dealer could find no fault stored. This time they used "a bigger computer" (their words!) and managed to locate the problem.

Apparently the wiring to the drivers airbag had shorted out, somewhere in the loom. After a day or two of tracing through, they found the damage and fixed it.
However, when they reassembled, the airbag itself started showing a warning - presumably it couldn't before as it could no longer talk to the ECU through the damaged wire.
So it looks like the airbag failed and caused the wiring to short. I'm just glad it didn't go off !!

Anyway, new airbag on order, should hopefully get car back tomorrow. Can't wait to see how rattly the dash is...

 

[muddyboots]

The saga continues.

First, damaged wire replaced: airbag light still on.
Second, airbag replaced: airbag light still on (but airbag WAS faulty, tested in another car).
Next: new airbag ECU on order!

I had a chat with the technician at the weekend.
Apparently on Mk4 Ibizas, the steering column can wear through the drivers airbag wiring, which is how my wiring got damaged
But it seems that the resulting short takes out both the airbag AND the ECU.

So if anyone has a similar problem, I'd check if your wiring has been damaged. If it has, be prepared to change the wire and the stuff at both ends of it...

Sadly the new airbag ECU was ordered yesterday and it's on 7-10 working day delivery so I won't see my car till late next week.

 

[danny842003]

o well sorryt to hear that mate. when they say a bigger computer. they must mean they have used the scopes etc on 5051 to find the wires were broken etc. i guess prieviously they would have used 1551 or 5052.
just to try and clear up for u wot was a bad explantaion.

 

[muddyboots]

Thanks mate, that makes a bit more sense than "bigger computer" !

Do you work for Seat ?

 

[danny842003]

audi. but all the cars/parts/diagnostic machines etc are all the smae

 

[muddyboots]

but all the cars/parts/diagnostic machines etc are all the smae

You haven't got a spare airbag ECU knocking about have you ?

 

[danny842003]

no sorry

 

[Jimski]

I've now got a problem with my airbag, but luckily got a fault code of;

01222 - Crash Sensor Side Airbag; Passenger Side, P1222

At a bit of a loss really and a bit wary of messing with these exploding dust bags, any ideas?!


Jimski

 

[muddyboots]

I wonder if the term "passenger side" takes into account UK vehicles...?

 

[Jimski]

Ahhh, good shout muddy, so I could actually be suffering from the rack wearing through issue.

Hmmmm, might be a garage job!

Jimski

 

[cbr40017]

I've now got a problem with my airbag, but luckily got a fault code of;

01222 - Crash Sensor Side Airbag; Passenger Side, P1222

At a bit of a loss really and a bit wary of messing with these exploding dust bags, any ideas?!


Jimski

Have a look here
http://wiki.ross-tech.com/wiki/index.php/01222

 

[muddyboots]

Ahhh, good shout muddy, so I could actually be suffering from the rack wearing through issue.

Hmmmm, might be a garage job!

Jimski

Well I don't know either way, just a thought, wouldn't surprise me.