B8 Steering Wheel Swap -> Airbag Light On

[wjg22]

I wanted to refresh my tired looking 3-spoke MFSW, so I picked up a cleaner B8 3-spoke MFSW. I read that the swap would be plug-and-play, and that I could reuse my airbag. After making the switch and taking a spin to get rid of the traction control light, the airbag light remains on. This is after ~50 miles and multiple start cycles. The horn works, and the steering wheel buttons/switches light up.

Now the only noticeable difference (apart from aesthetics) between the two wheels is that on my stock steering wheel harness (with the flat black connector), the wires in slots 1-3 are all black, and in the same connector on the new wheel, the wires in slots 1-3 are black, yellow and red, respectively (pics below for reference).

I removed the new wheel to check the connections, and removed the clock spring and plugged it back in to make sure that everything was seated properly. I popped the old, original wheel back on, hooked up the black connectors, plugged the yellow and purple airbag connector into the clock spring, started it up, and the airbag light is still on! I've never had this light on with the old wheel before.

All 12 pins in the clock spring connector, the part that the yellow and purple airbag harness plugs into, are clean and straight. I think my next move is to pop the cover off of the yellow and purple airbag connector to make sure that none of the pins are loose, but wanted to see if anyone had input or suggestions in the meantime. I didn't read about any VCDS voodoo that had to be done with this type of swap, and that still wouldn't explain why the airbag light remains on when the old wheel is reconnected.



Old wheel harness:
Image1521154918.377296.jpg

New wheel harness:
Image1521154931.849942.jpg

Airbag:
Image1521154946.989686.jpg

[Dondbg]

If u clear the code, does it come back ?
Did you disconnect the battery before disconnecting the airbag ?

[wjg22]

Tried clearing the light using the code clearing function on my p3 gauge, it doesn't go away. I'll bust out my Vag Com cable and see what the actual codes are.

And yes, forgot to mention that the battery is disconnected every time the airbag is removed.

[wjg22]

Vag Com scan results:

Address 03: ABS Brakes
1 Fault Found:
01826 - Sensor for Steering Angle (G85); Supply Voltage Terminal 30
000 - - - Intermittent
Freeze Frame:
Fault Status: 00100000
Fault Priority: 3
Fault Frequency: 8
Reset counter: 39
Time Indication: 0

Freeze Frame:
Hex Value: 0x0000
Hex Value: 0x4202
Hex Value: 0x0024
Hex Value: 0x0197
Hex Value: 0x0000

Address 15: Airbags
3 Faults Found:
00532 - Supply Voltage B+
002 - Lower Limit Exceeded - Intermittent
Freeze Frame:
Fault Status: 00100010
Fault Priority: 2
Fault Frequency: 5
Reset counter: 39
Time Indication: 0

00588 - Airbag Igniter; Driver Side (N95)
001 - Upper Limit Exceeded - Intermittent - MIL ON
Freeze Frame:
Fault Status: 10100001
Fault Priority: 1
Fault Frequency: 1
Reset counter: 255
Time Indication: 0

01587 - Igniter 2 for Airbag; Drivers Side (N250)
001 - Upper Limit Exceeded - Intermittent - MIL ON
Freeze Frame:
Fault Status: 10100001
Fault Priority: 1
Fault Frequency: 1
Reset counter: 255
Time Indication: 0

No faults under the steering wheel module. Steering angle sensor calibration cleared the ABS code, airbag light cannot be cleared using VCDS.

[wjg22]

According to Ross tech's website, the following are possible solutions:


-Check Wiring from/to Igniter 2 for Airbag; Drivers Side (N250)

-Check Coil Spring with Slip Ring (F138)

-Check Igniter 2 for Airbag; Drivers Side (N250)

-Check Wiring from/to Airbag Igniter Driver Side (N95)

-Check Airbag Igniter Driver Side (N95)



Today I tried a new clock spring, new airbag harness, and taped the harness connectors together. Airbag light still doesn't go away. Such a wild goose chase. Only things left to replace are the airbag control module and the airbag itself.

[wjg22]

Tried the following adaptation procedure with VCDS to try to re-adapt the airbag to the car:

Module: Airbag
Adaptation
Channel 081
02905 as new value

Airbag light stays on, and I didn't get a confirmation that the VIN was adapted. Sourced a new airbag control module, but not in any hurry to pull the center console. Also picked up a new clock spring harness, as mine had to be taped to prevent it from backing out.