Rattle in my dash up in the center but toward the passenger side. Still don't have it, but have the glovebox and airbag out to get a better look. Any problem with me driving around without the airbag? I know it will make an airbag light (I have VAG-COM so no problem turning it off) and that I won't have airbags while the light is on (no one had them when I was a kid).

Am I in any danger of having the other air bags pop on me if I drive it like this?

 

Nope, the airbags will just be disabled. Which reminds me, my '96 has had the airbag light on for a long time, due to driver-side airbag intermittent high resistance. I can hook up VAG-COM, select the airbag controller, and watch the codes change as I move or shake the steering wheel. I even used a Dremel to cut open the clock spring case so I could solder the crimped terminals to the copper ribbons, but there is still a flakey connection somewhere.

 

You might have to break down and buy a clock spring. It will add 10 HP ya know.....

Thanks for the response. I'm going to drive with the pass side apart till I track this thing down.

 

I suspect my 2001 Passat has a similar clockspring issue, since I get "intermittent B+" under the VCDS (formerly VAG-COM) airbag heading.