VW front crash sensor connector problem.

[DarkMatter]

Because the airbag light is on on my 2004 Beetle cabriolet, and VCDS reports intermittent communication with both front crash sensors, I have removed the front end in order to check the connection and possibly change the crash sensor.

The problem is that I cannot remove the connector from the sensors. They are connected to the loom with a yellow connector which has a violet tab/locking mechanism. Can anyone reading this thread please explain how I release the connector in order to swap the crash sensor - believe me I've tried but I don't want to break it, there must be a special way to do it.

Thanks.

[DarkMatter]

I've worked out how it works. The violet coloured part is sprung and needs to be pushed away from the cable and towards the sensor itself, almost as though you are trying to push the connector on to the sensor. The violet part will slide a few mm and eventually it will release a latch and eject the yellow part of the connector. When refitting the yellow connector you can tell that it is fully home because it moves the violet coloured part away from the sensor and back to it's original position.

[Fateggs]

I have exactly the same issue with my 2004 Beetle convertible. Same fault codes.
Please can you elaborate on what was required to do the job? How much did it cost, which parts, how long, how easy?
Many thanks.

[DarkMatter]

Fateggs said:

I have exactly the same issue with my 2004 Beetle convertible. Same fault codes.
Please can you elaborate on what was required to do the job? How much did it cost, which parts, how long, how easy?
Many thanks.

My car had these fault codes...

2 Faults Found:
01738 - Crash Sensor for Front Airbag; Drivers Side (G283)
004 - No Signal/Communication - Intermittent
01739 - Crash Sensor for Front Airbag; Pass. Side (G284)
004 - No Signal/Communication - Intermittent

For me the fix was to replace both front crash sensors at a cost of approx. £280 for the parts only from [url"http://www.thetradepartsspecialists.co.uk/" | http://www.thetradepartsspecialists.co.uk/[/url].

To change these parts you need to disconnect battery, raise the front of the car, remove front wheels, remove wheel arch liners, remove headlights (clever release latch in engine bay), remove complete front bumper and wing assembly, then you can access the front crash sensors.

It probably took me the best part of a day to do this job but that included trying to interpret the various procedures I was following, and time spent trying to figure out how to release the connectors from fog lights, outside temperature sensor, indicators, headlights, crash sensors.

A search of the internet should help you find various descriptions, pictures, and videos of some of the above steps being performed.

[Adrian_hogben]

Good afternoon,

I have the exact same problem but do not have the skills/knowledge to conduct the repairs myself and was quoted £1k for VW main dealer to fix!

I am looking into alternatives but I am being given the 'run around' because I can't articulate the precise sensors required - could someone provide the part numbers for both driver and passenger side front air bag sensors? I've tried to find them myself, but need to be 100% sure they are the right ones so that I can buy the parts and just ask a local garage to fit?

Many thanks, much appreciated.

Adrian

[eybic]

Why not go to a local independent garage? They will be able to read your fault codes and confirm what is needed all for a lot less than a main dealer.

[Adrian_hogben]

eybic said:

Why not go to a local independent garage? They will be able to read your fault codes and confirm what is needed all for a lot less than a main dealer.

Hi Eybic,

I am also in the process of getting a couple of quotes from independent VW approved garages, but the first quote was £700+. I think the part number is 6Q0 909 606 H and a quick search can find this for £85. I am assuming that this is the same part for both driver side and passenger side, so if I buy the parts and take to a local independent garage, I am sure this will be a fairly cheap job...

Cheers

Adrian

[eybic]

Adrian_hogben said:

Hi Eybic,

I am also in the process of getting a couple of quotes from independent VW approved garages, but the first quote was £700+. I think the part number is 6Q0 909 606 H and a quick search can find this for £85. I am assuming that this is the same part for both driver side and passenger side, so if I buy the parts and take to a local independent garage, I am sure this will be a fairly cheap job...

Cheers

Adrian

The problem you may have is that if you supply the parts and anything goes wrong or it doesn't fix it then they will blame the parts. It would be better for them to diagnose it then see if they are happy with you buying the parts.

Has it been diagnosed by a garage?

[Adrian_hogben]

Ah, understood - thanks for the advice!

It was originally diagnosed by the VW main dealer (they're 2mins from my house) who quoted the £1k. They gave me the report which states:

1. Front airbag sensor: driver side (G283)
2. Front airbag sensor: passenger side (G284)

I also called Kwik Fit just to get a quote and they told me that crash sensors need to be fix by a VW main or approved garage - is this true? Your message above would suggest that I could just take this to any local garage and the above posts explain how to DIY so surely a VW main/approved garage is not required?

[Billyb93]

I have just had this very same problem on the other halfs Audi A3. I changed the crash sensor, error didnt clear and eventually tracked it down to a broken wire in the black flexi plastic bit between the door and the wing. Once that was sorted it solved the issue. It might help, might not..

[eybic]

It's possible the sensors will need to be programmed by VW so it could be correct. Try your local VW specialist.

[Adrian_hogben]

Thanks for the help.

I've got a quote for £613 fitted inc VAT from a VW approved garage. Going to give that go...

[DarkMatter]

Adrian_hogben said:

Thanks for the help.

I've got a quote for £613 fitted inc VAT from a VW approved garage. Going to give that go...

That sounds pretty reasonble bearing in mind (if I remember correctly) that the sensors cost me about £250-300'ish for the pair and it took me a few hours to do as a diy'er (see description in my previous post). No reprogramming was necessary on my car, other than resetting the fault code. I'd read about faulty connectors under the seats being a potential cause of the problem, and went to some lengths to check them, but in the end it turned out that the sensors really were faulty - I hope that is the case for you too and that your £613 solves the problem.

[benjijames28]

I would give a good independent auto electrician a call first. If your best south Yorkshire then look up Chris Bellman Auto electrics on Facebook, he specialises in vw motors and I rekkon knows more about fixing electrics on then than any main dealer spanner monkey.

[Ian-v626h]

I have an error code on my VW beetle convert 2004 and purchased a sensor 6Q0909606H

Its only showing as the passengers side sensor G284 failed

I understand the 6Q0909606H is the replacement for an older sensor, but someone has now told me I need to replace both sides if my car has the older sensors

You can't have a new sensor and old sensor together on different sides ?? Is this correct ??

Many Thanks