Airbag light and diagnostic socket

[biggjeffo]

Hi, I've got a 2000, W reg Galaxy with an airbag light permanently on. I've been told I can hook up a machine available to buy and clear the dash lights??
Not sure where the diagnostic socket is although there is a rectangular pink multi-pin plug under the ashtray in the central console.

I need this light off for the MOT. Any ideas much appreciated!!

[insanitybeard]

The connector under the ashtray is indeed the diagnostic port, the easiest way to check for faults is to buy a cable and install VAG-com to a laptop, take a look here.

[biggjeffo]

Thanks for that but I fear the software etc may be beyond me. I have been told that Halfords sell a cheap machine which will carry out the diagnostic and allow you to (temporarily) clear the dash warning lights.

I had this problem last year for the MOT and a local company charged Ã,£56 to "clean some contacts" which did extinguish the light but only long enough to pass the MOT. They would not tell me which set of connections they had cleaned, nor where they were located!!

[insanitybeard]

That sounds a bit iffy to me, if there was a fault still present in the airbag system after clearing fault codes then I would expect the light to come straight back on again, it's not usually a case of clearing the fault codes and the light stays off for a while unless it's an intermittent fault.

[steveo59]

Hi Biggjeffo,
If the airbag light is permanently on its usually because of a bad connection on the wires under the seat. When you move the seat back and forth the wires  sometimes become loose. when the wires are sorted the airbag light usually goes out without having to be reset. For further info go onto youtube and search for "airbag light stays on".