VAGCOM Fault Code 01218

[idasben]

Hi All

Plugged VAGCOM in today to have a quick look into what was causing the airbag light to be on.

Cleared the fault which was as below, however after restarting the ignition, this fault returned exactly the same.

Does anyone have any ideas about how to resolve this? Having looked around online it seems to be either the airbag or pre-tensioner on the passenger side, with a loose wire or something like that?

If it's a loose wire, am I likely to just set the airbag off if I go gung-ho and reconnect it etc.

Help greatly appreciated as currently running with no airbags I assume...

VAGCOM Code

Control Module Part Number: 6Q0 909 605 A
Component and/or Version: 0D AIRBAG VW5 0004
Software Coding: 12356
Work Shop Code: WSC 00046
1 Fault Found:
01218 - Side Airbag Igniter; Passenger Side (N200)
29-00 - Short to Ground

 

[AP_V5]

Not had experience with this fault myself but logically I would start by getting under the passenger seat and checking out the connector for the air bag.

Being under the seat it could have got damaged by somebody's feet or something.

Look for possible damage, maybe even try unplugging it then plugging it in again, you never know it could be as simple as a dodgy connection.

Before messing about with it make sure you've let the air bags dis charge for about an half and hour to an hour with the ignition off and the battery disconnected, this way you shouldn't have any issues.

Before you take off the battery make sure you've got your radio code!

 

[idasben]

Cheers for the reply, I've yet to rummage under the seat but will just get round to it this week and let it discharge for a while as definately don't want a surprise airbag discharge!

 

[Slimy]

The connectors under the seats can get pulled apart by the seat going back and forth. I found out when my electric seats went back and didn't come forward again! The movement had pulled the cable out of the connector, plugging it back together sorted it.

It's possible a similar thing has happened to yours and the connector just needs a bit of a squeeze.

 

[idasben]

Cheers, that's the plan for tomorrow!

Hopefully it will solve it, otherwise i'll come back onto the forum to see if anyone else has got any more tips!

 

[kewe]

I used to get this a lot with my MG's. The quick fix for that was to spray some wd40 at the connector under the seat which would keep it happy for about 6 months at a time.

 

[MAC MAC]

had this foult on a octavia once the connecter multi plug under seat for pre tensioner needed replacing .hope this helps