Air Bag code 01221 Crash Sensor Driver side

[03 silverbullet]

I searched the forum and can not find an answer to this air bag code. Several people have had it but in reviewing the threads no one actually said how to fix it.


01221 - Crash Sensor Side air bag Driver side.
011 Open circuit intermittent

Last year i replaced the faulty clip that is under the seat on the driver side. The wires are still tightly held together with wire nuts, so i do not think that is the problem again.
Also the code is different.

[03 silverbullet]

bump

[old guy]

The G179 airbag crash sensor isn't the one that you corrected earlier. The G179 is for the front side airbag. If your car was built prior to 10/2004 it will be located in the bottom of the B pillar and you will have to remove the lower B pillar trim to get to it. If the car was produced after 10/2004 the sensor is located in the center of the drivers door and you will need to remove the door panel to get to it. I believe the reason it was moved from the lower B pillar location was because that location was prone to water damage.

Edit: Duhhhh.....I guess if I read your sig I would have know that yours was an '03 ;-) Your problem may be a corroded connection or a wet sensor since yours in located in the lower B pillar. Martini had the same issue with the G180 sensor which is located in the riders side B pillar. Clicky click

[03 silverbullet]

Hey old guy,

I was able to check on this today. The Foam around the sensor was completely dry, the sensor was dry. I didn't mess with the sensor to much trying to remove it so i could set it in front of a fan in case moisture was in it .

[old guy]

Good luck with it!

[03 silverbullet]

how can i clear this with vag com so that i can at least get the car inspected

[old guy]

how can i clear this with vag com so that i can at least get the car inspected

If there is an open circuit I don't think you can clear it without repairing the circuit.

Maybe someone here knows a "work around"??

[Valve_Cover]

If these is an open circuit I don't think you can clear it without repairing the circuit.

Maybe someone here knows a "work around"??

only two options are the audi spec sensor tester which you plug in place of the sensor, or you plug the connecter with a resistance, but i wouldnt be able to tell you how much resistance you need to avoid setting the code. I just use the audi tool.

As for moisture I had the same issue happen to me on both the driver and passenger side sensors. The driver side was all corroded from moisture but passenger side was still looking good as new. I tried drying both up at the time but that never worked. Maybe you'll get lucky!

I got both sensors off ebay for about 30$ a pop , which is much cheaper than what the dealer wanted for them!

good luck!

[old guy]

I wouldn't recommend messing around with a resister unless you were really sure what you needed. Get it wrong and you could set off the air bag. That would truly suck.

[03 silverbullet]

how does this sensor come out ? i cannot get my big head close enough to see whats holding it on the car. Is it to little alen head bolt or a regular bolt

i will check ebay for the part

Not gone to mess with the resistor

[old guy]

how does this sensor come out ? i cannot get my big head close enough to see whats holding it on the car. Is it to little alen head bolt or a regular bolt

i will check ebay for the part

Not gone to mess with the resistor

It is attached with two Allen head bolts. There is a yellow tab on the sensor that you disengage and then just unplug the sensor.

[03 silverbullet]

I checked the sensor to see if it was wet and did not get the part number off of it before putting all the trim back on.

Does anyone have the part number ?

[03 silverbullet]

Does anyone have the part number for this sensor ?

Also can i use a B- pillar air bag sensor out of a car that has had the air bags go off ?

[old guy]

I checked the sensor to see if it was wet and did not get the part number off of it before putting all the trim back on.

Does anyone have the part number ?

I believe this is the one you need. Does it look like yours? Clicky click

[03 silverbullet]

thanks Old Guy, Hope this fixes the problem.

Things only seem to break when the state emissions inspection is due ...

[03 silverbullet]

Hey Old guy,

Bought a used sensor from wolfparts on ebay.

All i had to do was plug it in and the light went off.

[Kodymfk]

Hey silverbullet. Buying this part took your (g179) code and airbag light away for good? I did the wire clip harness delete under the seat and am still getting the code.

[Kodymfk]

Also where is this sensor located in the b pillar exactly? Thanks again in advance

[Kodymfk]

The G179 airbag crash sensor isn't the one that you corrected earlier. The G179 is for the front side airbag. If your car was built prior to 10/2004 it will be located in the bottom of the B pillar and you will have to remove the lower B pillar trim to get to it. If the car was produced after 10/2004 the sensor is located in the center of the drivers door and you will need to remove the door panel to get to it. I believe the reason it was moved from the lower B pillar location was because that location was prone to water damage.

Edit: Duhhhh.....I guess if I read your sig I would have know that yours was an '03 ;-) Your problem may be a corroded connection or a wet sensor since yours in located in the lower B pillar. Martini had the same issue with the G180 sensor which is located in the riders side B pillar. Clicky click

Where exactly in the lower part of the b pillar is it? I had that all ripped out not that long ago to change my ccm and don't remember seeing anything when I had the floor up to air dry? Maybe I just over looked it? I have an 2003 a4.

[old guy]

[Kodymfk]

Awesome diagram! Thanks a lot! I appreciate it! Once again, Old guy saves the day.