fault code 01217/01218

[jimmy gee]

hi folks ,looking for some help hear,long story but ive replaced my bucket seats on my b7 rs4 for comfort type getting tooooo old to get in and out the bucket type ones,the problem is now ive got a airbag light on now,ive done a scan with my vagscanner and it comes up with fault code 01217 and 01218 which is the side airbags on both sides.ive done some research and they say you can cut a plug at the bottom of both seats and fit resistor wires and this will fix the problem,,the question is where can buy these resistor wires any help would be very much appreciated

[jimmy gee]

Is there any one out that can help me with this airbag problem, has any one come across this problem before, any imfo would be greatly welcomed thanks

[steview]

Do the comfort seats not have airbags in them?
If they do, you should be able to just reset the airbag system as unplugging seats while the battery is still connected makes the system think there's a fault.

[jimmy gee]

Hi mate thanks for reply, yes the comfort seats have airbags in them, I've scanned the fault codes and tried to erase the faults but it won't let me , don't know if there is a problem with the scanner it's a £15 one off eBay, is there any other way to clear the faults, like disconnecting the batterie like you can do with the engine ecu ?

[Surrey Sam]

I'd imagine that the seats will need different coding to the car?

[jimmy gee]

How do I get around this problem Sam , the car originally had the bucket type seats in it I don't think they had the side airbags in them, there must be away of getting around this, hope there is some clever folk on hear lol.

[steview]

To be honest, I'd not noticed my bucket seats don't have airbags. If that's the case then it would surely be a case of not plugging the comfort seats airbags in (yellow plug) as the cars ECU will know they shouldn't be there.
I don't think the cheap fault code readers do the airbag system so you'll need Vagcom or similar.

[jimmy gee]

If I unplug the yellow plug the airbag the light stays on, the scanner I bought Steven does the airbag system it tells me what fault code I've got but I can't erase the fault ...,

[nij]

You’ll probably need the airbag module re-coded. By not inserting the yellow plugs will not help either, as it’s there to fools the car that the airbags are still there when you have buckets.

I originally swapped my comfort seats for a pair of Recaro CS Sportsters. As it doesn’t have airbags and the yellow plugs, I had to have resisters (supplied by Recaro) wired into the plugs under the seats.

You might want to just try de-selecting the sport seat option in your DIS to see if you’re still getting errors. If you are, then try re-coding some of your car’s modules.

Coding wise, you’ll need a VCDS lead and software. I’ve changed my airbag module coding from 0431612 to 0431622 (not sure if this is required as I’m sure it’s got to do with seat occupancy for just the driver’s seat or both), but as you’re changing sport seats to comforts, You’ll probably need to change it the other way. Next, you’ll need to change the coding for the “Sport Seat” option in the DIS as you no longer have sport seats. Go to Instruments, then Adaptation, then Additional Features and then Channel 19. Simply subtract 2 from the last digit (for comfort seats), then store the new value. Lastly, clear all fault codes and you should be done.

[Surrey Sam]

lol...just come in from outside after hooking up VCDS to my car for a look around and see that Nij has beaten me to it.

I'd echo not unplugging the yellow connector as that will stop the pre-tensioners from working and still throw a fault code. As Nij has described you can subtract 2 from the Adaptation value in channel 19 of the Module 17 - Instruments.

Another one to check would be Module 15 - Airbags, go to Adaptation again and use the drop down menu to select Front Passenger Side Airbag Deactivation (channel 3) and then change the value to 1 and save. Do the same for Front Drivers Side Airbag Deactivation (channel 4) and see if that resolves the issue.

You'll need the VCDS software to do all of this and sometimes the cheap eBay cables do not work.

[jimmy gee]

Thanks Sam and aji for this information , I knew some one would know what there taking about, next question is where can I purchase a Vagcom and the software, I did a google search and for a company that hires them out for £30 plus a deposit has any one ever used this system before ie renting or am I better of just buying one any suggestion lads.?

[Surrey Sam]

Renting would be the cheaper option, although I personally have no experience of doing so. To buy you'll be looking at £270:

http://www.gendan.co.uk/product_VCHU.html

[jimmy gee]

thanks Sam for the link for the VCDC £270 seems fair enough for the set up and I had a look at the reviews and they all say the same good bitt of kit.this is my 4th AUDI ive had and there will prob be more so it want go buying this system ..

[jimmy gee]

hi lads ,got my Vagcom delivered today and installed it .did as you said nij and Sam and the problem is all sort many thanks for all your helps lads very much appreciated lads....

[Surrey Sam]

No problem, glad you got to the bottom of it. Always nice to read that a problem has been resolved