Airbag light has been on for several years on my 1996 A4. I did a search on this forum and found some postings by hiwords about possible problems with connections under the front seats. As this seems simple enough, I thought I'd ensure the appropriate connectors were making a good contact before searching further. The connection arrangements do not resemble the pics that were posted however (there is no yellow connector under either drivers or passengers seat). In addition Bentleys warns to connect VAG 5095 airbag adaptor when disconnecting the connector! Is this really required? What would happen if I didn't connect this adaptor? Has anyone any experience with this? Thanks in advance!

 

I've dealt with airbag lights due to the bag in my driver's seat. That's the yellow connector he's talking about. If you don't have that (which you should - the 96 should have seat bags), then you need VagCom to find out which bag is causing the fault. And remember, the connector doesn't have to stay open for the light to be on - a momentary open is all it takes to trip the light, and VagCom is needed to turn it off - it can't be turned off any other way. As for the airbag adapter, I've never used it when removing my steering wheel airbag before (and I've done that plenty of times). The biggest key is to make sure you're grounded (go to an electronics store and get a grounding wrist strap and use that), so that static electricity in your body doesn't detonate the bag.

First thing though is to find out which bag is tripping the fault.

 

As I have to track down someone with a VagCom each time I need one, I was planning on unplugging and cleaning a few connectors first, which is simple enough, and then getting it scanned and the fault code cancelled. If it was the underseat connectors, then I'm golden; if not then I'm out a few bucks as I'm not adventurous enough to get in deeper and will have to get a mechanic to investigate further!

 

Not a bad plan. Just be sure to unhook the battery first. Where do you live? You should update your member page with that info so local AF members can help out. Someone on here may be nearby and have VagCom.

 

Location updated - thanks for suggestion. I have read of some members who purchased cables on ebay and downloaded the basic free program from Ross-tech to run on their laptop. However I have also read of some who couldn't get this to work! Not being particularly computer savvy, is there a foolproof method of getting VagCom for small bucks?

 

I'm not sure why it didn't work for those people but yeah you just buy the interface cable on eBay for $20 or so and do the download and you're set. It works fine for the vast majority of people here.

Just an offer too - if you end up with issues and are down for a road trip, come to Binghamton and see us. I'm sure we can help with problem solving as well as maintenance and mods.

 

Thanks for the info and the offer of assistance. Much appreciated and will bear in mind. Been to Johnson City once on business and remember route 88 as being a pretty easy drive.

 

where can i buy a real and legit vagcom with the complete acessories it needs. it resets the airbag light right? i checked the yellow thing under the driver seat its properly plugged in. and any info on what does the vagcom usually does? hehehehehe my first time to have an 1999 a4 1.8t..

 

Just do it like I said above. RossTech allows you to download it free with most features, or you can buy an unlocked version with more capability from them. Get the obd2 cable on eBay. Either can turn off the airbag light. And the yellow connector may well be plugged in but that is still the most likely cause of the fault. Putting the seat too far back can momentarily strain it causing a quick open which trips the light. Even if it opened up for half a second the light will stay on until you actively turn it off via VagCom.