Removing and installing driver side airbag igniter N95: VW Golf VII Variant / Golf VII

🧭 Before you start

The job starts with the steering wheel fully adjusted down and back and the upper column trim removed. Each side of the locking bracket is released through the opening on the back of the wheel with a long T25 Torx driver, the wheel is centred, the high-voltage maintenance connector (e-Golf, GTE) and the battery earth cable are disconnected, and the airbag is withdrawn and unplugged. Refitting reverses this with the connectors pushed in until they audibly engage and the airbag pressed in by its edges. The job ends by reconnecting the battery with the ignition on and reading and clearing the airbag control unit event memory.

Fits: VW Golf VII Variant (BA), VW Golf VII (5G, 2012–2020); platform code BE1

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• Use a Torx T25 driver about 100 mm long; a flat blade can damage the wires.
• Touch the door striker plate to discharge yourself before handling the airbag connector.
• Disconnect and reconnect the battery earth cable with the ignition switched on and nobody inside the car.
• Push connectors on fully until they audibly engage and check no wires are trapped.
• If the warning lamps have not yet come on, switch the ignition on only from the fully rearward driver seat.
• Read and clear the airbag control unit event memory at the end.

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

📋 Procedure

1. ⚠ Observe safety instructions for pyrotechnic components .Observe disposal regulations for pyrotechnic components . — Move steering wheel to rearmost and lowest position.
2. Use the full adjustment range of the steering column adjustment for this purpose.
3. Remove upper steering column trim .
4. Turn steering wheel so that the opening on backside of steering wheel is exactly in top position.
5. Release (arrows) locking bracket (1) for driver side airbag (2). To do this, use a Torx screwdriver T25 of approx. 100 mm length. [Note: If a flat-bladed screwdriver is used, wires may become damaged.]

6. Turn steering wheel through 180° and repeat procedure on opposite side of steering wheel.
7. Return steering wheel to mid-position (wheels pointing straight ahead).
8. For "“e-Golfs”" or "“Golf GTEs”", disconnect the maintenance connector for high-voltage systemTW.
9. Disconnect battery earth cable with ignition switched on Electrical system27Battery; Connecting and disconnecting battery.
10. ⚠ Before handling pyrotechnic components (e.g. separating the electrical connector), the person handling them must ensure that he/she is "“electrically discharged”". To do this e.g. briefly touch the door striker plate. — Carefully pull driver side airbag (3) slightly out of steering wheel.
11. Pull out connector lock (2)(arrow) and press it down, then pull off connector (1).
12. On vehicles with multifunction steering wheel disconnect connector. [Note: Ensure that the electrical connectors are pushed fully onto stop and engage audibly.Ensure that no wires are trapped.]
13. ⚠ Observe safety instructions for pyrotechnic components .Before handling pyrotechnic components (e.g. connecting the electrical connector), the person handling them must ensure that he/she is "“electrically discharged”". To do this e.g. briefly touch the door striker plate. — Connect connector.
14. Press connector into recesses in steering wheel to secure it.
15. Position driver side airbag (1) in steering wheel and push it in until it audibly engages. Hands must be positioned on edges for this.
16. ⚠ Battery must be connected with ignition switched on. If pyrotechnic components (e.g. airbag, seat belt tensioners) are repaired incorrectly, undesired triggering may occur after the battery is connected. Ensure that nobody is in vehicle when connecting battery. — For "“e-Golfs”" or "“Golf GTEs”", connect the maintenance connector for high-voltage systemTW.
17. Connect battery earth cable with ignition switched on Electrical system27Battery; Connecting and disconnecting battery.
18. ⚠ If the ignition has not yet been switched on after the battery has been reconnected "“warning lamps in dash panel insert are off”", the ignition (key or button) must only be switched on while sitting on the driver seat and with the seat set to rearmost position. — Finally, read and clear event memory of airbag control unit since faults may be stored as a result of disconnecting electrical connectors .

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