[weatherguygary]

I have a 2005 V8 with about 78,000 miles. Last week the air bag fault light went on and has remained illuminated for about a week. I took it over to my local VW dealer (I'm not totally sold on them, but they have a nice waiting room) and for $127 they scanned the computer to come up with code 02511.

They diagnosed the problem to be a faulty control module in the passenger seat. I was told there was a TSB on this issue, but it was for all makes except the Touareg.

To fix the module, the whole bottom cushion needs to be replaced. Since this is a 2005, the seat is not available, so it has to be built in Germany and shipped over.

Not only am I waiting for up to 4-weeks for my seat the total repair bill is going to set me back about $1,500 with labor. (Jokingly, I asked if I could keep the old seat the service manager said it is sent back to the factory for testing and no I could not keep it...I thought under state law, I was allowed to get my used car parts back upon request)

Has anyone else had this done on their 05? Did it fix the problem? Would trying to fix a wiring harness only add to my $1,500 repair bill?

 

[rineman1]

What about finding another seat from a salvage yard?

 

[socalbusdev]

I have an '06 V10. This warning has just started going off for me too, and I was going to research it--then I saw your post. Anyone else? I have an extended warranty, but still want to hear what other folks have seen.

Thanks!

 

[grateful_carl]

I have an '06 V10. This warning has just started going off for me too, and I was going to research it--then I saw your post. Anyone else? I have an extended warranty, but still want to hear what other folks have seen.

Thanks!

This happened to me twice in my 04 V10 Touareg. Both times it was after a child had been in the back seat; turns out both times the child had their feet under my driver's seat (I sit with my seat in the far back position and far tilt back) and they dislodged and broke one of the sensors. $300 fix both times.

 

[2010TDI]

I have all of the parts from a front passenger seat posted in the classifieds... Left over from my power seat conversion. I have wiring harness, airbag, airbag sensor, seat sensors, the whole thing. Let me know if any of you need some of the parts.

David

 

[noobytoogy]

There may be another reason.

Both front seats have had a problem with the seat occupied sensor wiring being too short.

There is a yellow block connector under each seat and when the short wires give up under the strain, often caused by a heavier person than normal getting into the car by the way, they disconnect and bring the warning light on.

It is a known problem with a known cheap fix as in extending the wiring by a few inches - and should cost about $100 max to fix at a dealer.

If your dealer has not done this, take the car somewhere else before doing what your dealer is planning. I got an auto electrician who specialises in airbags to fix mine in less than an hour.

Use search on here to read up more if you want to.

02511 - Ross-Tech Wiki

 

[weatherguygary]

I just don't feel comfortable having a "used" sensor for my passenger airbag. It's a good thought though.

 

[weatherguygary]

Thanks everyone, great suggestions. I'm taking it to a local shop that specializes in VW and Audi for a second opinion next week. I'll keep this current on the post as it unfolds.

 

[IntProst]

I just don't feel comfortable having a "used" sensor for my passenger airbag. It's a good thought though.

Really, I suppose it depends on how much you love your wife.

 

[Green Egg]

I just don't feel comfortable having a "used" sensor for my passenger airbag. It's a good thought though.

I wouldn't think twice about it. Malfunction light will tell you if anything is wrong. I can tell you one thing - there is no way on Hades I would put a new seat in the car for an airbag light: None.

 

[denm33]

This happened to my 2005 v8 (colorado red) about a year ago. Alexandria VW in Va. fixed the problem with a unit that was under the seat. They did not have to replace the seat. I think that they took the leather cover off, but I am not certain. I know they removed the seat to do the repair.

I would go to another dealer, even if it is a bit of a drive. I know Akron, (I grew up there) so I know you have a few choices.

It was not a cheap fix, and it was not covered by my extended warranty (doh!). I think it was $800.

 

[Fourdiesel]

Don't let them give you a bunch of malarky about the seat 'goes back for testing'. That should ONLY happen if they own the seat. They will only own it if you sell it to them! [For the same price as the new seat??] It IS true that, if they replace something under warranty they have the option of sending it back if the factory engineers want it or of scrapping it or selling the parts from it for salvage. But that is ONLY if you don't have to pay anything.

 

[jkw1017]

This happened to my 2005 v8 (colorado red) about a year ago. Alexandria VW in Va. fixed the problem with a unit that was under the seat. They did not have to replace the seat. I think that they took the leather cover off, but I am not certain. I know they removed the seat to do the repair.

I would go to another dealer, even if it is a bit of a drive. I know Akron, (I grew up there) so I know you have a few choices.

It was not a cheap fix, and it was not covered by my extended warranty (doh!). I think it was $800.

if you don't mind, what was the reason your extended warranty didn't cover it? was it supposed to be covered in your case?

 

[jkw1017]

i had an air bag light go off once and, after several trips to the dealer, duh, it was diagnosed that it was a faulty seat belt buckle

 

[denm33]

JKW 1017, if you read the coverages in the VW platinum warranty, one of the items not covered is air bags. I tried to make the argument that the sensor is not part of the airbag, they tried to pass it up, but it was ultimately denied.

BTW, the extended warranty has saved me a huge amount of money on two other repairs.

 

[2010TDI]

Weatherguygary, the parts I have for sale came out of my 2010 Touareg with less than 20k miles. Although used I would hardly consider them risky. They look brand new. Let me know if you reconsider and need anything.

David

 

[weatherguygary]

2010TDI - Thanks for the offer. I'm going to get a second opinion before I make any purchases regarding parts. I'll look on the classifieds should I go with the parts.

denm33 - Ganley was the one who recommended the new seat, I've taken it to Dave Walter in the past. But I'm going to get my second opinion from the Sweedish Solution in Cleveland. Funny your from Akron and now live in VA. I bought my Touareg in Richmond VA and drove it back to Akron!

 

[green tdi]

Had passenger side position sensor short to ground fault that would not clear. Replaced sensor no help. Traced all wiring back to controller looking for short to ground no help. I ended up replacing right side seat harness. Pain in the ass, but it cleared the fault.