Hello friends, I did a steering wheel swap today, went from the ugly 4 spoke '96 wheel to a '97 three spoke s line wheel. Looks a heck of a lot better, BUT my airbag light is still on from when I previously disconnected my airbag two months ago... drove around without an airbag for two months. I disconnected my battery before installing the new wheel, connected everything and then re connected the battery and the airbag light is still on. It's one of three things.

1. The airbag light has to be reset manually by VAG com.

2. The airbag light will reset itself after x amount of miles.

3. The airbag in the new wheel is bad.

Number 3 isn't the case due to the seller telling me there were no problems with it. I just I'm just wondering if I should drop some moolah on the whole VAG com thing or will it reset itself...

 

I wouldn't call that as good evidence that there are no problems with it. I'm sure there is a way to check with a multimeter whether the unit is good or not, but I don't know how. Also, I doubt anything airbag/safety related will simply reset after a certain number of miles.

How hard was the swap? I would like to do this as well. I like the 3 spoke a lot better than the 4 spoke on my 97.

 

Swap is cake, I could walk you through it if you'd like.

Maybe I trust people too easily? I doubt the airbag is bad.

 

I've looked around and didn't see any DIY articles for the swap, I'm sure others would be interested in the steps as well.

 

How much did the wheel cost you? And got any pics?

 

The first wheel I bought for it, '98 three spoke s line, was 150 shipped. That didn't fit! So the second wheel I bought, the one that I knew would fit before I bought it, was 120 shipped.

Pics tomorrow I guess, I'll also take pictures to make a DIY of some sort!

 

Airbags are scary, I don't like messing with them. They have definitely saved my life. Don't quote me on this, but I'm pretty sure #1 will solve your problem.

 

Ask someone local to do a VAG scan/run for you.

 

I could do that Krip. I think I'm just going to buy the software though. Anyone want to link me to exactly what I need? I was on the website but I'm not positive what to get.

 

Did you also make sure the key was not in the ignition?

I double check, you can reset your airbag light with a VAG-COM. Once you log an airbag fault code, it will remain lit until you reset it.