Removing and installing airbag (front passenger side): Audi A3

🧭 Before you start

Disconnect the battery earth with ignition off and remove the glove box. Unplug the airbag connector and earth wire, remove the four nuts and lower the unit out, storing it cushion upwards. The side brackets come off with two bolts each if needed. Refit with the correct nuts for the unit version, seat connectors fully, then reconnect the battery with ignition on and check the airbag warning lamp.

Fits: Audi A3 (8P, 2003–2012)

Don't miss

• Match the nuts to the unit version; units and nuts changed around September 2008.
• Never unplug connector 12 on the airbag unit and never undo nut 4.
• After deployment the airbag securing components must be renewed.
• Connectors must click home fully and wiring must not be trapped.
• If warning lamp K75 shows a fault, interrogate, erase and re-interrogate fault memory.

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

📋 Procedure

1. ⚠ Approx. in September 2008 the front passenger's airbag units and the corresponding securing nuts were modified.The old front passenger's airbag units must be secured with the old nuts; the new front passenger's airbag units must be secured with the new nuts.To find out whether an old or a new front passenger's airbag unit is installed, read off the unit's part number and check it against the Electronic parts catalogue. — With ignition switched off, disconnect battery earth wire 27.
2. Remove glove box .
3. Unplug connector for airbag unit (3).
4. Detach earth wire from front passenger's airbag unit (not shown in illustration).
5. ⚠ Never unplug connector (12) at front passenger's airbag unit.Never unfasten nut (4). — Unscrew nuts (2) (4x).

6. Take out airbag unit (1) from below.
7. Set down airbag unit (1) with impact cushion facing upwards.
8. ⚠ Approx. in September 2008 the front passenger's airbag units and the corresponding securing nuts were modified.The old front passenger's airbag units must be secured with the old nuts; the new front passenger's airbag units must be secured with the new nuts.To find out whether an old or a new front passenger's airbag unit is installed, read off the unit's part number and check it against the Electronic parts catalogue. — Once an airbag has been triggered the airbag securing components must be renewed: [Note: Make sure electrical connectors are fitted correctly (as far as stop) and engage audibly.Make sure that wiring is not trapped.]
9. ⚠ The battery must be connected with the ignition switched on. If pyrotechnic components (e.g. airbag or belt tensioner) are inexpertly repaired, this may result in unwanted triggering after connecting the battery. There must not be anyone in the vehicle while you are connecting the battery. — With ignition switched on, connect battery earth wire 27. [Note: If airbag warning lamp K75 indicates a fault following installation, you must interrogate, erase and then re-interrogate the fault memory .]
10. ⚠ Never unfasten nut (4) at front passenger's airbag unit. — Remove front passenger's airbag unit.
11. Unscrew bolts (11) (2x).
12. Take out bracket (left-side) (5).
13. Remove front passenger's airbag unit.
14. Unscrew bolts (11) (2x).
15. Take out bracket (right-side).

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