Audi A4: Driver Side Airbag

Overview - Driver Side Airbag

1 - Wiring Harness

• For Driver Airbag Igniter -N95- and Driver Airbag Release Valve Igniter -N490-
• Replacing. Refer to → Chapter "Airbag Connector, Replacing".

2 - Steering Column Electronics Control Module -J527-

• Overview. Refer to → Electrical Equipment; Rep. Gr.94; Steering Column Switch Module; Overview - Steering Column Switch Module.

3 - Steering Wheel

• Overview. Refer to → Suspension, Wheels, Steering; Rep. Gr.48; Steering Wheel; Overview - Steering Wheel.

4 - Bolt

• Tightening specification. Refer to → Suspension, Wheels, Steering; Rep. Gr.48; Steering Wheel; Overview - Steering Wheel.

5 - Driver Side Airbag

• With

• Driver Airbag Igniter -N95-
• Driver Airbag Release Valve Igniter -N490-

  WARNING

Risk of injury due to involuntary deployment.

Pay attention to the safety precautions when working with pyrotechnic components. Refer to → Chapter "Safety Precautions when Working with Pyrotechnic Components".

• Use a T25 TORX screwdriver to release, approximately 80 mm (3.14 in.) long
• Removing and installing. Refer to → Chapter "Airbag Unit with Igniter, Removing and Installing".

Airbag Unit with Igniter, Removing and Installing

Special tools and workshop equipment required

• T25 TORX screwdriver, approximately 80 mm (3.14 in.) long, commercially available

Removing

  WARNING

Risk of injury due to involuntary deployment.

• Pay attention to the safety precautions when working with pyrotechnic components. Refer to → Chapter "Safety Precautions when Working with Pyrotechnic Components".
• Observe the disposal regulations for pyrotechnical components. Refer to → Chapter "Airbag, Belt Tensioner and Battery Cut-Out Units, Storing, Transporting and Disposing (Pyrotechnic Components)".

- Move the steering wheel as far to the rear and down as possible. Use the full steering column adjustment range for this.

- Disconnect the battery ground cable with the ignition turned on. Refer to → Electrical Equipment; Rep. Gr.27; Battery; Battery, Disconnecting and Connecting.

- Move the steering wheel out of the straight-ahead position by turning it clockwise 130º, so that the opening on the rear side of the steering wheel faces directly upward (approximately 12 o'clock position).

  Caution

There is a risk of damaging the wires.

Do not use a flat-head screwdriver.

- Guide a Phillips head screwdriver or a T25 TORX screwdriver (approximately 80 mm (3.14 in.) long) all the way into the opening. A thin foam wall in the inside of the steering wheel must be punctured to do this.

- Release the locking bracket -1- for the airbag -2- by pulling the TORX screwdriver upward forcefully -arrow-.

- Turn the steering wheel back 260º and repeat the procedure on the opposite side, while making sure that the airbag is not reengaged on the other side.

- Bring the steering wheel back into the center (wheels are straight).

  WARNING

Risk of injury due to involuntary deployment.

Before handling pyrotechnic components (For example, disconnecting the connector), the person handling it must "discharge static electricity". For example, this can be done by briefly touching the door striker.

- Remove the airbag -3- from the steering wheel slightly.

- Pull out the connector lock -2- in the direction of -arrow- and press it down, disconnect the connector -1-.

- Equipped on some models: Disconnect the connector for the button in the steering wheel.

  WARNING

Risk of injury due to involuntary deployment.

Lay airbag unit so that the padding faces upward.

Installing

  WARNING

Risk of injury due to involuntary deployment.

• Pay attention to the safety precautions when working with pyrotechnic components. Refer to → Chapter "Safety Precautions when Working with Pyrotechnic Components".
• Before handling pyrotechnic components (For example, connecting a connector), the person handling it must "discharge static electricity". For example, this can be done by briefly touching the door striker.

Install in reverse order of removal and note the following:

  Note

• Make sure the connectors are pushed in all the way and that they engage audibly.
• Make sure the wires are not pinched.

- Connect the spiral spring connector with the airbag connector coupling on the return spring with slip ring.

- Press in the connector to secure it in the pockets on the steering wheel.

- Position the driver side airbag in the steering wheel and press on until it audibly engages.

  WARNING

Repairing pyrotechnic components (For example the airbag and seat belt tensioner) incorrectly increases the risk of injuries due to unintentional deployments when the battery is connected.

• The ignition must be on when connecting the battery.
• Make sure that no one is inside the vehicle at the time when the battery is connected.

- Connect the battery ground cable with the ignition switched on. Refer to → Electrical Equipment; Rep. Gr.27; Battery; Battery, Disconnecting and Connecting.

- Check and erase the airbag control module DTC memory because faults can be stored from when the connectors are disconnected. Use the Vehicle Diagnostic Tester.

Installation instructions: For example tightening specifications, replacing components. Refer to → Chapter "Overview - Driver Side Airbag".

Airbag Connector, Replacing

Removing

  WARNING

Risk of injury due to involuntary deployment.

Pay attention to the safety precautions when working with pyrotechnic components. Refer to → Chapter "Safety Precautions when Working with Pyrotechnic Components".

- Remove the driver side airbag. Refer to → Chapter "Airbag Unit with Igniter, Removing and Installing".

  WARNING

Risk of injury due to involuntary deployment.

Before handling pyrotechnic components (For example, disconnecting the connector), the person handling it must "discharge static electricity". For example, this can be done by briefly touching the door striker.

- Release the connector lock -2- for the connector -1- with a small screwdriver -arrow-.

- Disconnect the connectors -2- from the Front Passenger Airbag Igniter 1 -N95- and Front Passenger Airbag Release Valve Igniter -N490-.

- Disconnect the connectors -3 and 4- by releasing the retaining tab.

- Disengage and remove the wiring harness -1- at the brackets.

Installing

  WARNING

Risk of injury due to involuntary deployment.

• Pay attention to the safety precautions when working with pyrotechnic components. Refer to → Chapter "Safety Precautions when Working with Pyrotechnic Components".
• Before handling pyrotechnic components (For example, connecting a connector), the person handling it must "discharge static electricity". For example, this can be done by briefly touching the door striker.

- Connect the connector -1- to the airbag igniter in the direction of -arrow A-.

- Press in the connector lock -2- in the direction of -arrow B-. While doing this, the connector is pushed into the airbag igniter all the way and locks into place.

Further installation is performed in reverse order of removal, while noting the following:

  Note

Make sure the connectors are pushed in all the way and that they engage audibly.

Installation instructions: For example tightening specifications, replacing components. Refer to → Chapter "Overview - Driver Side Airbag".

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