Audi A4: Rear Thorax Airbag with Igniter, Removing and Installing

  Caution

This procedure contains mandatory replaceable parts. Refer to component overview and parts catalog prior to starting procedure.

Mandatory Replacement Parts

• Nut - Rear Thorax Airbag to Side Cushion

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 additional safety precautions for the thorax airbag. Refer to → Chapter "Additional Thorax Airbag Safety Precautions".
• Observe the disposal regulations for pyrotechnical components. Refer to → Chapter "Airbag, Belt Tensioner and Battery Cut-Out Units, Storing, Transporting and Disposing (Pyrotechnic Components)".

- Remove the rear bench seat. Refer to → Chapter "Bench Seat/Single Seat, Removing and Installing".

- Remove the nut -1-.

- Hold the seat belt webbing aside and remove the side cushion -2- downward from the threaded pins.

- Fold the rear seat backrest forward.

- Carefully pull the side cushion downward and remove it from the seat belt guide in the direction of -arrow-.

  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- with a small screwdriver in the direction of -arrow-.

- Disconnect the connector -1- on the thorax airbag igniter.

- Place the side cushion on a soft surface.

- Remove the nuts -arrows-.

- Remove the rear thorax airbag -1- from the mount.

- Remove the thorax airbag downward from the pocket sewn into the cover.

  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.

  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.

  Note

If the Airbag Indicator Lamp -K75- indicates a fault after installing, check the DTC memory, erase it and check it again using the Vehicle Diagnostic Tester.

Information for installation: For example, tightening specifications, replacing body parts. Refer to → Chapter "Overview - Rear Thorax Airbag" and → Chapter "Overview - Rear Seat Backrest, Folding Backrest".

Thorax Airbag Wire, Removing and Installing

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 additional safety precautions for the thorax airbag. Refer to → Chapter "Additional Thorax Airbag Safety Precautions".
• Observe the disposal regulations for pyrotechnical components. Refer to → Chapter "Airbag, Belt Tensioner and Battery Cut-Out Units, Storing, Transporting and Disposing (Pyrotechnic Components)".

- Remove the front seat. Refer to → Chapter "Front Seat, Removing and Installing".

- Fasten the front seat on the Engine/Transmission Holder - Seat Repair Fixture -VAS6136-. Refer to → Chapter "Front Seat, Mounting on Fixture for Seat Repair".

- Remove the backrest cover. Refer to → Chapter "Backrest Cover, Removing and Installing".

- Disengage the hooks on the backrest frame -arrows-.

- Disengage the hooks from the cover -arrows A-.

- Disengage the molding on the backrest frame -arrows B-.

- Disengage the hooks for the side bolsters on the backrest frame -arrows-.

- Remove the cushion from the backrest in the area of the thorax airbag.

  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- with a small screwdriver in the direction of -arrow-.

- Disconnect the connector -1- on the thorax airbag igniter.

- Unclip and free up the thorax airbag wire on the backrest frame.

- Disconnect the modular wiring routing. Refer to → Chapter "Modular Wiring Routing, Disconnecting and Connecting".

- Open the corrugated tube, remove the wire for the thorax airbag with the connector and free up at the seat pan.

- Carefully remove the thorax airbag wire from the backrest frame.

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.
• Follow all the instructions when installing the front seat. Refer to → Chapter "Front Seat, Removing and Installing".

Install in reverse order of removal.

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

READ NEXT: