Preliminary Information

Airbag II (m.y. 1994) And Airbag III (m.y. 1995):

WARNING!
- Read all Warnings and Cautions before starting work on any part of the airbag system. Airbags and related equipment must be disassembled, assembled and repaired only by trained Audi Service Department personnel
- Before working on any of the airbag, steering wheel or steering column components, always disconnect the battery.
- For m.y. 1994 and 1995 vehicles, disconnecting the battery alone will NOT prevent the accidental deployment of the airbag(s). Always disconnect the airbag power supply harness connector, and refer to all airbag system Warnings and Cautions.
- Make sure that no person is in the vehicle when re-connecting the battery Ground (GND) strap.


CAUTION!
Before disconnecting the battery determine the correct coding for the anti-theft radio.


NOTES:
- After switching the ignition on, the airbag Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) comes on for approx. 10 sec.
- When the airbag MIL goes out, the system is functional.
- If airbag MIL does not come on at all: check the light bulb.
- If the lamp comes on and does not go out at all: check the system using the VAG1551 Scan Tool (ST). After repairing the malfunction, erase Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) memory
- If the MIL comes on while the vehicle is moving, there is a system malfunction.
- After repairing the airbag system, make sure the airbag MIL functions properly.


New features
- Airbag III control module with expanded On Board Diagnostic capability ("Code Control Module" and "Read Measuring Value Block" functions).
- Optimized passenger airbag.
- Pyrotechnic seat belt tensioning system (vehicles with sport seats).
- Optional sport steering wheel with airbag.
- Extended expiration date for airbag units.

1 - Airbag control module
- Location See Fig. 2 below.
2 - Steering wheel with airbag unit
- Removing and installing airbag unit. Driver's Side Airbag Unit, Removing and Installing
- Removing and installing sport steering wheel with airbag. Airbag For Sport Steering Wheel
3 - Harness connector for airbag spiral spring
- Location. Spiral Spring, Removing, Installing and Checking
- Removing and installing spiral spring. Spiral Spring, Removing, Installing and Checking
- Checking spiral spring. Spiral Spring, Removing, Installing and Checking
4 - Harness connector for terminal 15 (B+)
- Connected to fuse/relay panel
5 - Data Link Connector (DLC) wire, terminal K
- Connected to fuse/relay panel in plenum (left)
6 - Airbag power supply harness connector
- Location See Fig. 1 below.
7 - Airbag Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) relay
- Located in auxiliary relay panel, position 9
8 - Ground connection
- On driver's side A-pillar
9 - Front passenger side airbag unit


WARNING!
When an airbag unit has been removed, always set it down (e.g. on a workbench) with trim side facing upward.


WARNING!
- Do not re-use fasteners that are worn or deformed in normal use.
- Some fasteners are designed to be used only once, and are unreliable and may fall if used a second time. This includes, but is not limited to, nuts, bolts, washers, circlips and coffer pins. Always follow recommendations in this manual-replace these fasteners with new parts where indicated, and any other time it is deemed necessary by inspection.


Fig. 1 Installed location of airbag power supply harness connector




A - Harness connector cover
B - Harness connector clip

The red single-pin airbag power supply harness connector is secured by clip -B- behind cover -A- on driver's side lower instrument panel cover.

Fig. 2 Installed location of airbag control module



A - harness connector
B - Bracket for connector
C - Airbag control module
Fastener tightening torque: 6 Nm +1.0 / -0 Nm (53 in.lb +9.0 / -0 in.lb)

The airbag control module is located behind the center console.