Hello, my wife just got "no result" on her driving exam, because the airbag indicator warning light came on the dash during the test. So after being relieved of the £62 test fee, I am kicking myself for knowing about this issue and not doing anything about it!

Anyway, I am posting on the off chance someone experienced a similar issue to this and found a solution. The car is an A3 8L 2003 model.

The main airbag warning light comes on on the tacho, usually when the car is started from cold. Once the car has been driven for a while and is switched off, upon switching it back on, the airbag warning light usually stays off, but not always.

I've scanned the airbag controller using VCDS, which reveals the following fault:

VCDS-Lite Version: Release 1.1
Friday, 17 August 2012, 15:38:42:37423
Control Module Part Number: 8L0 959 655 L
Component and/or Version: Airbag Front+Seite 7008
Software Coding: 01104
Work Shop Code: WSC 06435
VCID: 47E14A3076A3
1 Fault Found:
01578 - Airbag Deactivation Warning Lamp; Passenger Side (K145)
31-10 - Open or Short to Ground - Intermittent

If I clear the fault, and restart the car, the faul immediately reappears.

So, this is what I've done so far to try and sort this out:
- chopped off the yellow connector under the passenger seat and re-wired directly (solder) as per this:
http://forums.vwvortex.com/showthread.php?2815467/page1

- removed the passenger side warning light from the ceiling cabin light assembly, re-soldered joints and tested for loose connections

By the way, I've attached pictures of the passenger airbag warning light, though I can not find the replacement part 6350 1183C anywhere.

I am pretty sure there is a bad connection somewhere between the airbag controller module and the lamp or the lamp module, but I am reluctant to pull anymore of the car apart in trying to sort this (minor) inconvenience out.

Am I better off just sticking some electrical tape over the light and hope next time the DSA instructor doesn't query it?

Cheers,
-- ab1

P.S. FYI: there is another post on the forum regarding this exact issue, but no solution:
01578 Airbag deactivation warning lamp error

 

I "fixed" it by putting a 4K Ohm resistor across the passenger airbag deactivation warning light.

-- ab1

 

haha, so you just shut off the light? what if there's an issue with the passenger airbag? that's something i wouldn't want to fail ...

 

Not exactly, this is for the passenger airbag deactivation warning light. If the airbag is deactivated via key operated switch and the warning light is non-functional, then the airbag control unit will not report a fault.

I suspect if the any of the airbag igniters aren't functional, the general airbag warning light will still come up.

In either case, I am replacing the map reading light assembly, together with the deactivation warning light.

 

Hi ab1,
I've been trying to suss this very bug on and off for a while now and have stumbled across this thread today.
Can you clarify what you did here, remove the bulb and replace it with the resistor, or put the resistor in parallel with the bulb?

Did you go on to find a proper fix? Did you try a new interior light assembly?

 

To clarify...

Workaround: Put a resistor in parallel with the bulb to shut the computer up.

Fix: Order a complete replacement light assembly from eBay and install it.

 

Cheers.
I did this earlier and it's fixed the dash warning light issue, and the 'passenger air bag off' warning light still works, so I'll be leaving it at that.

 

In this case, if the warning light does blow out, your dash won't light up with the warning light and your passengers won't know if the airbag is ever deactivated. An edge case, but still..

 

On my 2002 TT Quattro Roadster the 01578-031 error code was a fault with the light that indicates if the passenger airbag has been turned off. The light is located on the center console just in front of the hand parking brake lever. The light should come on when the ignition is turned on and then go off in a few seconds as long as the passenger airbag has not been deactivated via the key switch in the glove box. If the light is not going on, check the connection (pop off the panel beneath the parking brake lever, the connector is under there). If the connection is good, try disconnecting it and checking for voltage from the source end when the ignition is turned on. If there is voltage, you probably have a burned out light, which can be replaced for about $20. Pop off the panel holding the light (4 clips, it prys straight back) and you can take out the light housing and google the Audi part number.