Removing and installing airbag unit with igniter: VW Polo 6C

🧭 Before you start

Switch the ignition on, disconnect the battery and set the steering wheel low and extended. Release the spring catch on each side through the base or back of the wheel, lift the airbag out, discharge static and unplug the connectors. Refit by plugging in until the lock engages audibly, pressing the unit home and checking it is latched on both sides, then switch ignition on and reconnect the battery with the car empty.

Fits: VW Polo 6C (2014–2017)

Don't miss

• Touch the body or door striker to discharge static before disconnecting the igniter.
• Pull the pin punch upwards quickly; never push it downwards.
• Mask the punch handle with tape so the dash insert and switch trim are not scratched.
• The airbag connector must engage audibly, and the unit must be latched on both sides.
• Make sure nobody is in the vehicle when the battery is reconnected.

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

📋 Procedure

1. ⚠ Observe the general safety regulations when working on airbag, belt tensioner and battery isolator units (pyrotechnic components) Observe the special instructions for driver and front passenger airbags . — Switch ignition on.
2. Disconnect vehicle battery Electrical system27Battery; Disconnecting and reconnecting battery.
3. Move steering wheel to lowest position.
4. Extend steering wheel as far as possible into passenger compartment.
5. Turn steering wheel by approx. 100° towards right.

6. Make sure that the round closed recess (3) in the base of the steering wheel (2) is in the highest position above steering column trim (1). [Note: The closed recess in the base of the steering wheel is one of two breaking points for removing the driver side airbag.]
7. Mask off the end of the pin punch handle with commercially available adhesive tape to prevent the dash panel insert and steering column switch trim from being scratched.
8. Position pin punch parallel to steering column axis, and pierce through breaking point at base of steering wheel.
9. Insert pin punch into base of steering wheel as far as stop, and pull it back by 1 to 2 mm.
10. ⚠ Never push the pin punch downwards. Risk of damage. — Pull pin punch (2) upwards "“in a fast motion”".
11. This will move the coil of spring (3) towards the centre of the steering wheel (arrow A).
12. At the same time the right arm of the spring moves outwards (arrow B).
13. Turn steering wheel back to "“straight ahead”" position.
14. Turn steering wheel by approx. 100° towards left.
15. Make sure that the round closed recess (3) in the base of the steering wheel (2) is in the highest position above steering column trim (1).
16. Use the pin punch to pierce through the breaking point as described, and insert it into the base of the steering wheel as far as stop.
17. Pull pin punch back by 1 to 2 mm
18. ⚠ Never push the pin punch downwards. Risk of damage. — Slightly press with one hand on the horn symbol on the side of the steering wheel which has already been released.
19. Pull pin punch (2) upwards "“in a fast motion”".
20. This will move the coil of spring (3) towards the centre of the steering wheel (arrow A).
21. At the same time the outer arms of the spring move outwards (arrows B).
22. Turn steering wheel back to "“straight ahead”" position.
23. Remove airbag unit from steering wheel.
24. ⚠ Electrostatic discharges may result in unintentional triggering of airbag. Therefore, the mechanic must electrostatically discharge him/herself before disconnecting the igniter and earth wires. This can be done by briefly touching the car body or striker plate of the door. — Release connector lock (3) in (direction of arrow), and pull off airbag connector (2).
25. On vehicles with multifunction steering wheel, pull off connector (1) in (direction of arrow).
26. On vehicles with multifunction steering wheel, connect the respective connector to the connector coupling.
27. Connect airbag connector to connector coupling, and press in connector lock.
28. Press airbag unit into steering wheel.
29. Ensure that airbag unit is properly engaged in steering wheel.
30. Switch on ignition.
31. ⚠ Ensure that nobody is in vehicle. — Connect vehicle battery Electrical system27Battery; Disconnecting and connecting battery. [Note: The screwdriver mentioned in the following activities should be about 120 mm long and have a blade width of about 7 mm.]
32. ⚠ Observe the general safety regulations when working on airbag, belt tensioner and battery isolator units (pyrotechnic components) Observe the special instructions for driver and front passenger airbags . — Switch ignition on.
33. Disconnect vehicle battery Electrical system27Disconnecting and reconnecting battery.
34. Move steering wheel to lowest position.
35. Extend steering wheel as far as possible into passenger compartment.
36. Turn steering wheel 90° to the left.
37. Insert a screwdriver into hole in back of steering wheel to stop (approx. 18 mm) at left edge of opening.
38. Pull screwdriver upwards (arrow).
39. Turn steering wheel 180° and release airbag unit fastener on left side of steering wheel as described.
40. Turn steering wheel back through 90° to middle position.
41. Remove airbag unit from steering wheel.
42. ⚠ Electrostatic discharges may result in unintentional triggering of airbag. Therefore, the mechanic must electrostatically discharge him/herself before disconnecting the igniter and earth wires. This can be done by briefly touching the car body or striker plate of the door. — Release connector locking device (in direction of arrow) and pull airbag connector (1) off.
43. Insert airbag connector into plug-in connector. The airbag connector must audibly engage.
44. Press airbag unit into steering wheel.
45. Check that airbag unit is engaged on left and right sides in steering wheel.
46. Switch ignition on.
47. ⚠ Ensure that nobody is in vehicle. — Reconnect vehicle battery Electrical system27Disconnecting and reconnecting battery.

Other VW procedures

• Removing engine · 41 torque figures
• Removing and installing camshaft – VW Golf Cabriolet · 47 torque figures
• Adjusting valve timing – VW Passat B5 · 83 torque figures
• Removing and installing camshafts – VW Passat B6 · 39 torque figures
• Removing and installing coolant pump · 53 torque figures
• Removing and installing starter, vehicles with double clutch gearbox, DQ250-6F
• Removing and installing temperature flap control motor V68 with potentiometer G92
• Renewing left oil seal, rear final drive 0CQ
• Removing left flange shaft – VW Passat B5
• Renewing subframe bushes – VW Passat B5