Removing and installing airbag coil connector and return ring with slip ring F138 — AUDI

🧭 Before you start

Switch on the ignition, remove the luggage compartment floor trim and disconnect the battery earth. Remove the driver airbag, steering wheel and, where fitted, the lower dash panel cover. Undo the trim bolts with the special screwdriver, open the column adjustment and remove both trim sections. Unplug the slip ring connector, release the hooks and detach it, then refit with all hooks engaged and reassemble trims, steering wheel and airbag.

Fits: Audi A6 C6 (4F, 2004–2011)

Don't miss

• Disconnect the battery with the ignition on for this job, contrary to the normal procedure.
• Observe airbag safety rules throughout.
• Sand down an old T8T40056 screwdriver at the marked points before use.
• Release the slip ring retaining hooks carefully, without levering on the housing.
• Check every retaining hook and connector is properly engaged before refitting trim.

Written for this job from the workshop steps below · TorqFix editorial.

📋 Procedure

1. ⚠ Observe safety regulations for working on airbags . — Switch on ignition. [Note: Contrary to the description in "“Disconnecting and connecting the battery”" (Electrical system27) the battery must, when removing the airbag, be disconnected with the ignition switched on.]
2. Remove luggage compartment floor trim.
3. Disconnect earth wire (arrow) at battery.
4. Remove airbag unit (driver side) .
5. Remove steering wheel .

6. Remove dash panel cover (bottom; driver side) on vehicles with electrically adjustable steering column .
7. If you still have the old special screwdriver T8T40056, sand it down all round at the locations marked with (arrows).
8. Unscrew bolts (3) and (4) using special screwdriver T8T40056 A.
9. If fitted, open mechanical steering column adjustment at handle (5).
10. Remove TORX bolts (6).
11. Detach trim (top) (2) for steering column switch from trim (bottom) (1) and remove both trim sections.
12. If fitted, unplug electrical connector at trim (bottom).
13. Unplug electrical connector at top of return ring with slip ring.
14. Carefully release retaining hooks (arrows) and detach return ring with slip ring (1) from steering column switch module. [Note: In illustration steering column switch module has been removed.]
15. Make sure that all retaining hooks and connectors are properly engaged.
16. Insert trim for steering column switch (top) in hooks on trim (bottom), press both sections together and secure with bolts.
17. Install dash panel cover (bottom; driver side) .
18. Install steering wheel
19. Install airbag unit (driver side) .

Other AUDI procedures

• Removing and installing toothed belt – Audi · 56 torque figures
• Removing engine – Audi A8 D3 · 41 torque figures
• Removing camshaft timing chain from camshafts – Audi A6/A7 C7 · 38 torque figures
• Installing engine – Audi A8 D4 · 36 torque figures
• Removing and installing camshaft timing chain · 29 torque figures
• Removing and installing rear axle (multi-link suspension - four-wheel drive vehicles) · 1 torque figures
• Removing and installing accumulator – Audi A8 D3 · 3 torque figures
• Removing and installing brake servo, Audi A1 quattro
• Checking exhaust gas recirculation cooler for leaks
• Removing and installing rear axle - four-wheel drive vehicles