2002 VW Golf 1.6

swearne

I need to leave my golf in for a service. It is showing 2 warning lights, the emissions warning light, and the airbag one.
It has 33,000 miles, I heard that the emissions light is probably due to the lambda oxygen sensor. Is this a common problem? It seems to be affecting the fuel economy too.
I'm not sure why the hell the airbag light is on, not too worried about it to be honest.
Basically what I want to know is has anyone else had this problem with a golf? And roughly what needs to be do, and how much it will cost!
Appreciate any help

drdre

swearne wrote:

I need to leave my golf in for a service. It is showing 2 warning lights, the emissions warning light, and the airbag one.
It has 33,000 miles, I heard that the emissions light is probably due to the lambda oxygen sensor. Is this a common problem? It seems to be affecting the fuel economy too.
I'm not sure why the hell the airbag light is on, not too worried about it to be honest.
Basically what I want to know is has anyone else had this problem with a golf? And roughly what needs to be do, and how much it will cost!
Appreciate any help

I got quoted 400-450 yoyos for a brand new golf serive. i still think its well over priced. it would be cheaper to go to a non vw garage if you donot care about service history.
i would love to find out what you get quoted for a serive of vw as i think i got a wrong quote it should not be that high

Lex Luthor

German cars are notorious for air bag lights coming on. Most of them have passenger seat occupancy sensors. It enables the system in the event of an accident to tell whether the passenger seat is occupied or not and so will determine whether to deploy the airbag or not.

Normally the wiring looms for these are under the passenger seat and the connectors can come apart or get slightly apart and the system will indicate a fault. Even though it might come back together again, it needs to be reset by a dealer or mechanic.

If you live near Sallins, I can recommend a very reputable mechanic who specialises in all German cars.

crosstownk

In my experience the most common fault that causes a VW airbag light to come on is low battery voltage. The voltage may not be enough to prevent the car from starting but enough to alert the airbag system. The fault is detected when the self-diagnosis measures the 'trigger resistance'. So it may well be a simple fix.

Lex Luthor

German cars are notorious for air bag lights coming on. Most of them have passenger seat occupancy sensors. It enables the system in the event of an accident to tell whether the passenger seat is occupied or not and so will determine whether to deploy the airbag or not.

Normally the wiring looms for these are under the passenger seat and the connectors can come apart or get slightly apart and the system will indicate a fault. Even though it might come back together again, it needs to be reset by a dealer or mechanic.

If you live near Sallins, I can recommend a very reputable mechanic who specialises in all German cars.

swearne

Lex Luthor wrote:

If you live near Sallins, I can recommend a very reputable mechanic who specialises in all German cars.

Brilliant I actually live in Sallins! Would definatly like details of the mechanic.
Is there a way of just turning off the passagner airbag altogether? Never usually have anyone in the passanger seat

crosstownk

swearne wrote:

Brilliant I actually live in Sallins! Would definatly like details of the mechanic.
Is there a way of just turning off the passagner airbag altogether? Never usually have anyone in the passanger seat

The way to turn off the passenger airbag is to plug in a diagnostic computer and send the instructions to the Airbag control unit. However, VW recommend that the Airbag is completely disconnected and a resistor put in it's place. While it is possible to turn it off via the software, there have been instances (in Germany, I think) that airbags deployed despite the airbag being turned off via software at a VW dealer. In one instance it killed a young baby. A similar incident happened in California some years earlier in a Jetta III (Vento in Europe). The airbag system continually monitors the components attached to it (airbag, impact sensors, road speed etc.) it knows that the airbag is attached and primed by measuring its electrical resistance - if the resistance doesn't meet the required values the fault light is switched on on the dash. So if you want the airbag disconnected, it must be unplugged and have a resistor put in it's place which has a fixed resistance that will 'fool' the airbag control unit into believing that a fully functional airbag is present. When the passenger airbag is disconnected via software the airbag light flashes 7 times after first start.

You should get this done only at a VW dealer. They may make you sign a disclaimer.

You should let any passengers know that the airbag is offline.

bazz26

Don't insurance companies need to be notified if something like an airbag or other safety device has been disabled/removed? Don't they also want proof that this work carried out is acceptible to within the manufacturer's recommendations? In other words no DIY or back street garage jobs.

crosstownk

bazz26 wrote:

Don't insurance companies need to be notified if something like an airbag or other safety device has been disabled/removed? Don't they also want proof that this work carried out is acceptible to within the manufacturer's recommendations? In other words no DIY or back street garage jobs.

You could be right - but it would probably depend on each insurance company. There is no standard with those insurance people:mad:

Lex Luthor

swearne wrote:

Brilliant I actually live in Sallins! Would definatly like details of the mechanic.
Is there a way of just turning off the passagner airbag altogether? Never usually have anyone in the passanger seat

Alan Kane. He is in the back of St. Bridgets Terrace in the last garage to the left.
No. is 855882

AMurphy

I'd be inclined to agree with the O2 sensor. However, 33K is a bit young for it to be failing. Usually don't begin the downhill slope until >60K, but it depends on the fuel quality and other comtimants, Silicone being a killer.

However, it only takes a few minutes with a simple handheld tool to give a good idea or the nature of the fault. Keep in mind it could be as simple as a loose/leaking gas cap.

On the AirBag. in addition t the passenger sensor, which again chould be possible to check with a AB tool. the one in the steering wheel is connected via a "clockspring" cable wound around the steering column. Due to flexing, this cable can crack and cause the AB light to illuminate.

again your mechanic should be able to tell which AB. L or R has registered a fault.

€400 for a service.... about €200 much in my books.... come to think of it, I have never paid for an engine service & tuneup.

BrianD3

A while back an ignition coil failed on my car causing it to run on 3 cylinders. The emissions light came on at the same time presumably because of unburnt fuel getting into the exhaust.

But I presume the OP would have mentioned it of his car car was running badly/on 3 cylinders etc.? However I see he mentions that it uses a lot of fuel. Maybe a dodgy temp sensor causing the car to run too rich.

Debbio69

the airbag light on my Golf has had problems twice: Bradys Garage fixed it and said it happens from moving the drivers chair back and forth (getting in and out of the car).

crosstownk

Debbio69 wrote:

the airbag light on my Golf has had problems twice: Bradys Garage fixed it and said it happens from moving the drivers chair back and forth (getting in and out of the car).

This is true but only if there are airbags in the seats or occupancy sensors. BMW 3 series suffer from this too.

le-dub

I have heard of the airbag light coming on the 206 as well. I think until you leave it in you might be better of switching of the airbag for your own saftey really. IF there are any problems with the airbag and you hit a pot-hole it could be nasty, up to your self though...

Lex Luthor

crosstownk wrote:

BMW 3 series suffer from this too.

.......and 5 series

Greengurnard

My 94 Audi 100 2.0E with 125k on the clock just flunked the lambda emissions test with a reading of 1.042 as against a limit of 1.03. This despite the fact that it passed in June 2006 i.e 8 months & 4 thousand miles ago with a reading of 1.024, this following my having replaced the catalytic converter and the lambda sensor just before the June 2006 text. Can I get the lambda reading back within the limit by doing any of the following?

1. changing the oil & filter which i think is overdue. Will this help or am I grasping at straws?

2. Disconnecting the Lambda Sensor altogether?

3. Putting STP Oil treatment in the oil (only temporarily as I understand that this stuff can damage a catalytic converter.

Help!!

Greengurnard

DonJose

Lex Luthor wrote:

German cars are notorious for air bag lights coming on. Most of them have passenger seat occupancy sensors. It enables the system in the event of an accident to tell whether the passenger seat is occupied or not and so will determine whether to deploy the airbag or not.

Tell me about it. I went to the local Indian restaurant tonight to pick up a takeaway. Put the bag on the passenger seat. Halfway home the light starts blinking stating the passenger wasn't wearing a seat belt. I had to pull over and put a seatbelt on a bag of curry and rice

PauloMN

DonJose wrote:

Tell me about it. I went to the local Indian restaurant tonight to pick up a takeaway. Put the bag on the passenger seat. Halfway home the light starts blinking stating the passenger wasn't wearing a seat belt. I had to pull over and put a seatbelt on a bag of curry and rice

Ye just don't know what they're putting in take-away these days.

mrvan

crosstownk wrote: »

You could be right - but it would probably depend on each insurance company. There is no standard with those insurance people:mad:

i worked for a skoda dealer some time back and i had the job to turn off an airbag in a car for someone and what i had to do was get the costumer to sign some papers that the airbag was turn off then i had to fit a part into the car and take a part out and then fit sticker to the inside of the car that way if the car was ever crashed and it went to court the paperwork would be there to.i think it might be no harm to ring some main dealers and find out if the insurance companys need to know if you got it turned off

colm_mcm

were you a mechanic or service advisor in Skoda?

crosstownk

mrvan wrote: »

i worked for a skoda dealer some time back and i had the job to turn off an airbag in a car for someone and what i had to do was get the costumer to sign some papers that the airbag was turn off then i had to fit a part into the car and take a part out and then fit sticker to the inside of the car that way if the car was ever crashed and it went to court the paperwork would be there to.i think it might be no harm to ring some main dealers and find out if the insurance companys need to know if you got it turned off

You had the customer sign a disclaimer. And you most likely fitted a resistor in place of the air bag. You should also have turned the passenger airbag off via VAS5051. When the key is turned to on, the airbag light should flash seven times to indicate that the passenger airbag is offline.

Henry Ford III

drdre wrote: »

I got quoted 400-450 yoyos for a brand new golf serive.

That is astronomically high. I cannot recall exactly how much a Ford fixed menu service is but it's below €150.

Henry Ford III

drdre wrote: »

I got quoted 400-450 yoyos for a brand new golf serive. i still think its well over priced.

That's astronomically high! :eek:

I cannot recall exactly what Ford's fixed menu servicing cost is for a similar car, but I know it's below €150.

drdre

Henry Ford III wrote: »

That's astronomically high! :eek:

I cannot recall exactly what Ford's fixed menu servicing cost is for a similar car, but I know it's below €150.

Yeah that is high, Im going to get a new golf purchased this next month so will let you know how much it will be.Hope its cheap as im nearly broke

Henry Ford III

A new car in Nov?

E92

Could you not just wait another 2 months and get a new car in 08 like virtually everybody else would do?

Its going to be a 1 year old car come Jan 1st, and dealers will trreat it as such when you try to trade it in.

JHMEG

If that sensor is so much bloody trouble why are they fitting them? What harm can deploying the airbag do if no-one is sitting in the seat? And the solution is to disable the airbag:eek: wtf?!

drdre

Henry Ford III wrote: »

A new car in Nov?

No i have already got a new 07 car, will need to get it serviced in november as i drive alot, need to get pads etc changed.

drdre

E92 wrote: »

Could you not just wait another 2 months and get a new car in 08 like virtually everybody else would do?

Its going to be a 1 year old car come Jan 1st, and dealers will trreat it as such when you try to trade it in.

Im not that dumb

Brian Hennessy

yes, VW dealers are notoriously expensive for servicing and parts. I was charged €250 for brale fluid change (unnecessary, I believe). Thing is, they want you to go to them so as not to invailidate the warranty. When you go to trade in, dealers are not that bother about service history anyway in my experience.

I have a 2004 1.6 fsi and it has many little problems, cruise control won't always switch on, brake pad warning light comes on even though there is plenty of 'meat' on the pads, siren on alarm doesn't work and now the catalytic converter is rattling and needs to be changed before NCT.

The alarm fault was discovered by the dealer about 6 weekd after the 2 year warranty expired, so it's my problem. The other problems are more recent. The car has 57,000 miles and VW do not want to know (without charging the earth). VW are not what they were.

My next car will be Japanese.

cene08

Debbio69 wrote: »

the airbag light on my Golf has had problems twice: Bradys Garage fixed it and said it happens from moving the drivers chair back and forth (getting in and out of the car).

Hi Debbio09, I have the same problem. was it expensive to fix?

Ferris

cene08 wrote: »

Hi Debbio09, I have the same problem. was it expensive to fix?

I got that fixed on mine for 35quid. It wasn't a main dealer however. The problem is that once the wires are fixed the mechanic has to reset the fault code in the ecu.