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Contact
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Airbag
System
(1990-1993, 
only) |
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Airbag system
components |
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The
airbag only deploys as a result of severe impact from a line of 30° from center of the grille (i.e., a front impact). Side- or
rear-only impacts will not deploy the airbag. |
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What the warning
lights indicate |
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The lights will illuminate because:
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the pre-determined service time has passed
(usually 10 years);
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there is a fault in the airbag system;
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work
was done to the electrical system without disabling the airbag system
first.
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When the airbag lights are illuminated, it
means the control unit has detected a problem with the system and, in turn,
shuts the airbag system off; i.e., the airbag will NOT deploy in an accident
if the lights are lit. If disconnecting
the battery for one hour does not reset the system (thereby turning off the
lights) the car must be taken to your local Volkswagen dealer for servicing
if you want/need a working airbag system.
The left indicator light is the readiness indicator and will light for
approximately 5 seconds at start-up. The right indicator light
monitors the electronic control/monitoring unit, the igniter, the sensor
circuits and system warning.
The system must be inspected if:
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The left indicator light does
not come on when the ignition is switched on;
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The left indicator light does
not go out approximately 5 seconds after the ignition is switched on, and/or;
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The left or right indicator
light comes on or flickers while driving.
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Servicing
the airbag system |
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The airbag system in these cars can only be serviced by a
Volkswagen dealer, unless an independent shop happens to have the proper
tools, including the VAG-1551 (with OBD I interface) scan tool. No
other scan tool can be used with the Cabriolet airbag system. A
replacement airbag costs $1,400 (as of April, 2008), a new control unit
costs around $1,200 (as of June, 2008), and the remaining components total
about another $1,200 (as of June, 2008); those costs do not
include tax nor installation. Yes, you read that
right: Over three thousand American dollars to replace the airbag system; that's more
than what the majority of these cars are worth. Repairing/replacing the airbag system in these cars is
now essentially cost-prohibitive. Furthermore, the airbag system is now long past its
10-year lifespan. The components that deploy the airbag degrade over time,
eventually rendering the airbag useless as a safety device. Even if
the system fault codes are pulled, the system is repaired and reset, there
is no guarantee that the airbag will deploy in a front-end accident. Additionally, the system can be reset one day only to have the lights come
back on a few days later (this is indicative of a faulty system that needs
replacing, not repairing). On the flip side, there is a small
possibility of the airbag deploying on its own, at any given time.
What does all of this mean? You are simply better off removing the airbag
system from the car than repairing it, but the choice (and wallet) is yours. If the control unit is found to be
faulty and you wish to replace it, whether it's new or used, be certain that
the control unit comes with its factory-installed wire and test plug harness
(#6 in the image above). If it doesn't, it is very much a useless part. |
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Disabling
the airbag system |
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Disabling the
warning lights:
If the airbag warning
lights are on and you simply want the lights turned off, follow these instructions:
Disabling the
airbag system:
If the warning
lights are on and/or you have no desire to have a functioning airbag (or
wish to remove the airbag/steering wheel), the
airbag system can be disabled and the lights turned out using the following
method (warning: disable the airbag system at your
own risk!).
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Disconnect the
battery.
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Disconnect the wire harness connectors
(#14 and #16 in the image above) located below
the fuse/relay panel. On the smaller connector (#14 in the image
above), find the two black wires that connect to T6/3 and T6/4 and splice
them together (splice them without cutting, or cut both wires and splice all
four ends together and system restoration is as simple as reconnecting the
controller harness).
Click here for a picture example.
Caution:
The above methods disable the airbag system, they do not deactivate the airbag system!
In theory, once the lights come on they remain on in the control unit's
memory until the system is reset. Technically, this means that the
airbag system is off and will not deploy. However,
despite this, there is still a slim possibility of the airbag deploying if the circumstances are
just right.
Follow the above procedures at your own risk!
The only way to permanently rid your car of the airbag is to remove it.
ÆThe above methods
are provided by "briano1234" and "tolusina",
respectively, of VWvortex.com; they nor I will be held responsible should
anything go wrong during and/or after you follow the above airbag system
disabling procedures!
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Replacing
the airbag steering wheel |
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To permanently rid your Cabriolet of the airbag:
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Disconnect
the battery.
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Disconnect the wire harness connectors
(#14 and #16 in the image above) located below
the fuse/relay panel. On the smaller connector (#14 in the image
above), find the two black wires that connect to T6/3 and T6/4 and splice
them together (splice them without cutting, or cut both wires and splice all
four ends together and system restoration is as simple as reconnecting the
controller harness).
Click here for a picture example.
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Remove the
airbag steering wheel, airbag spring clock, steering column shaft, and
turn signal/wiper stalk (click
here to see the components you need to remove).
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Install
non-airbag steering wheel, steering column shaft from a 1975-1989 A1
chassis Volkswagen, and turn signal/wiper stalk from a 1975-1989 A1
chassis Volkswagen. You will also need to splice the horn contact
wire(s).
For further discussion on the airbag system and its removal,
click here.
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Airbag system
recall |
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The 1990 model year Cabriolets had a recall issued on
their airbag systems. It is recall #91V215000.
Visit the recall page for more information. |
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