A few days ago my airbag light came on when a friend hopped in the passenger seat. Ever since then it hasn't gone away. Now i know this question has been asked before but my main thing is were can i get my car scanned for codes. (yes i am a newb if there was an questions about that, this is my first car). So is there any other place except the audi dealer like a napa or autozone that could do it. I also read that it could be the timing belt sensor is that expensive to repair/fix. Also if it was something like the airbag would i need to replace it again cost for that, or just reconnect some wires. My car is a 99 2.8qm and i am a student so money is a little tight too.

 

NAPA and AutoZone usually don't have the tools needed to scan chassis codes like the airbag code. If you have a laptop, download VagCom software at www.ross-tech.com and buy the interface cable for the car from eBay (about $20). Or see if there's another Audi enthusiast near you that has VagCom. If all else fails, find an independent Euro shop to do it - they're usually less expensive.

If it's the bag (and it probably is the passenger seat bag), the connector is under the front of the seat. Look under there - it's the yellow one. Zip tie it tightly to hold it together (be careful not to pinch wires), and then turn the light off with VagCom. It happens a lot - too much push on the seat (or moving it too far) can strain the connector and open it just enough to cause the light to trip. The only way to turn it off is with VagCom so you'll have to find that (or get it for yourself).

 

Unless your like someone else I know who actually took their gauge cluster apart and put black tape over the airbag light. He couldn't get the light to turn off so he did that instead... i don't recommend that btw.

josh

 

ok that is what i thought but i really don't want to pay 300 dollars just to download a program to scan my cars computer. So is there another program that i could get on the cheap side or for free. or another i could get Vagcom for cheap.

 

Haha. You dont have to pay for the trial version. You can use it all you want you just cant change anything with it unless you buy it. Here: http://www.ross-tech.com/vag-com/download/ You want the most current release (805). Depending on which cable you buy, if you decide to buy one, you click on the type of cable you have and it will pop up with the download screen.

 

Heres a link to the cable you need too. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/USB-V...mZ370102162905

 

Sorry its not really a trial version. Its the full version but until you get the serial number (which is most of what you pay for when you buy vag-com, aside from the cable) you cant actually go in and change things like fuel trims, timing advance/retard, etc.

 

Thanks, I just downloaded it and for right now it's good enough if it can just tell me what's wrong. I don't need all that fancy **** like fuel trims and timing.

 

what! ROFL!!!


and yea the cable from alpha bid is a good one, i have it. you just need to install special drivers before installing vag-com

this should be them

http://www.alpha-bid.com/media/Produ...gComDriver.rar

your going to need winrar to open it