The other day I changed the oil in my car and after I was done parked it for the night and next morning airbag light came on. I scanned it with an OBDII and the code came up 01218 (unknown component, value of resistance too great). I cleared the code and it never came back on. I'm guessing I am good and my airbag system is in operation. I was told that the passenger seat has connectors underneath and they might have become loose. My question is do you think I should let everything be because the light is on or look for a loose connection. And even though I cleared the code and the light came back on is the system fully operational? I just want to make sure my airbags will deploy if needed. By the way I drive a 1999 a4 qm.

 

bump, anyone have any input?

 

There are connectors under both front seats that have intermitant high resistance for the side airbags. You can try using a contact cleaner on them. There was also a tech bullitin to rewire out the connector but im not sure if it applys to your veicle.

How long does it take for the code to pop up? If its almost imediatly there is a problem with the system and at least that one part will not function in an accident. If it takes a while, the sytem is most likely ok and the system "should" operate as designed.

 

If your airbag light is on then NONE of the airbags in the car will be deployed in an accident.

I'd check the connectors to make sure they aren't loose or have a bad connection.

 

Have it scanned with a VAG-COM or VW/Audi specific code reader.

 

thanks for the input guys. Ever since I cleared the code it hasnt come back on. I think it was set off because of when I moved the seat back a little too hard. But what will the vag com tell me that the obdII didnt???

 

The VAG might have a better description of the code vs the OBD2 scanner.

But as long as the light doesn't come back on you are fine.

 

Thanks MC, I guess I might need to get a hold of a Vag