Air bag Control Unit

[Daniel Steely]

I have an air bag warning light continually on. I have been to two garages (non VW) who have not been able to sort it and have concluded that is probably the airbag ECU. I told them both that it could be the cables stretching when the front seats are swivelled. They have advised me that I need to go to a VW franchise or specialist.
These ECU units seem to be available for a reasonable price but I obviously need to find the one in the vehicle to make sure that I am getting an exact replacement. Has anyone else changed this unit on a T5 and if so, where would I find it?

 

[Perfectos]

your profile says T6, but you refer to the van as T5 ?

see this from the T4 &T5 forum

https://www.vwt4forum.co.uk/threads/airbag-module-location.183165/#post-1419148

t6 forum

ECU locations in cabin

Hi guys is there an ECU in the cab area that has powertrain Can Hi and Lo somewhere easy, I can use ABS modulator but its a pain to get to Thanks Ray

www.t6forum.com

this will help with specific year / model just enter the relevant detail use Eurovan (model)

https://www.myairbags.com/srs-airbag-control-module-location-lookup/

 

[Daniel Steely]

Thank you. Both links point to a similar location. I do have a T6 but my son has just acquired a T5 and has a number of issues to resolve and the airbag is the most pressing. This is s great help. If we can now find the module and get the part number, we can initially try a module swap and see if that extinguishes the warning lamp.

 

[WelshGas]

Thank you. Both links point to a similar location. I do have a T6 but my son has just acquired a T5 and has a number of issues to resolve and the airbag is the most pressing. This is s great help. If we can now find the module and get the part number, we can initially try a module swap and see if that extinguishes the warning lamp.

It may not clear the Warning light. Often , once triggered they have to be reset by computer once the fault has been fixed.
VW can reset the warning light for £80+ , or you can get the Carista OBD module from Amazon for £24.99. Download the free app, see Carista website, and you can read diagnostic codes , reset them etc. it’s free for 1 month then a PAYG payment or subscription. Will also work on your T6.
You can also switch on functions that VW didn’t.Such as automatic door locking at 10kph, etc etc.

 

[Daniel Steely]

I did imagine that it would probably not be as simple as swapping over a unit when safety is involved. Maybe try the Carista first and do a reset. Is it clever enough to actually identify the exact cause of warning lights or does it just enable you to do a reset?

 

[WelshGas]

I did imagine that it would probably not be as simple as swapping over a unit when safety is involved. Maybe try the Carista first and do a reset. Is it clever enough to actually identify the exact cause of warning lights or does it just enable you to do a reset?

It will give you the Diagnostic codes and a look-up for most of them. It can identify individual ABS sensors so maybe individual air-bags. You would still need to reset the system anyway.

 

[Perfectos]

You eluded to a potential issue in your earlier post, check the wiring under the seats to see if it has been damaged.

Also I believe the T5 has an airbag switch located on the side of the dash (near side) if the dash has been taken apart (which requires the switch to be disconnected), it is possible that someone switched on the ignition when the air bag was unconnected which will throw up a fault light. May be worth investigating the connection at the side of the dash.

was the air bag light lit up when you got the van ? Or has it subsequently come on ?

 

[Elmo3]

Could be the clock spring in the steering wheel. Mine failed, new Valeo one was about £25 from Autodoc.

 

[Daniel Steely]

Thanks for those suggestions. The air bag light was on when he bought it about four weeks ago and it had only just been MOT’d so obviously the light was not on when the MOT was done.


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[Daniel Steely]

A quick update. The Carista does not work on the 2004 T5. Their site does say it is not compatible, but thought it was worth giving it a try.
The van has now been to a VW specialist with the predictable outcome that it will need a new airbag control unit at around £500 plus labour costs. Doesn’t seem to be any other option to get it sorted.

 

[Perfectos]

A quick update. The Carista does not work on the 2004 T5. Their site does say it is not compatible, but thought it was worth giving it a try.
The van has now been to a VW specialist with the predictable outcome that it will need a new airbag control unit at around £500 plus labour costs. Doesn’t seem to be any other option to get it sorted.

Thanks for the update,

would a second hand Control unit be an option (even if it needs programming) ?

edit: it seems either direct like for like replacement the part number will be on the module itself ( re coding / programming is not possible)

https://www.vwvortex.com/threads/unable-to-recode-airbag-controller-using-vcds-pursuant-to-instructions.5926067/

 

[Perfectos]

Is this any help ?

repair:

Car Air Bag | Airbag Light | Car Airbags | Airbag Module | Dashwarninglights, UK

Specialists in vehicle warning lights, call us for any dashboard light or airbag light faults. Airbag warning light-all makes

www.dashwarninglights.co.uk

 

[Daniel Steely]

Thank you for some great advice and suggestions. Working this morning but will have a chance later today to have a proper look at the info you have sent.
My main issue initially is where the unit is and another helpful contributor has indicated that it is probably under the carpet between the front seats, so a bit of an initial task in itself to just expose the unit. There are new units on eBay but obviously there are numerous variations so impossible to do anything without the correct part number.


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[Elmo3]

Have they checked the clock spring? Ask them. It could be a really simple fix.