Removing and installing front passenger side airbag unit with igniter — VW

🧭 Before you start

Switch on the ignition, disconnect the battery and remove the right end cover, A-pillar trims, centre console cover and glove compartment. Discharge static, unplug the igniter, remove the bolts and lower the airbag out. Fit the new module, adding an earth cable to the housing if required. Switch on the ignition and reconnect the battery with nobody in the car.

Fits: platform code 138

Don't miss

• Discharge yourself on the body before unplugging the igniter and earth wires.
• Plastic airbag housings need locking fluid D 197 300 A1 on bolts (1) and (2).
• On a renewed airbag, check for an earth cable on the housing and fit one if missing.
• Earth cable: 1 mm wire, 600 mm long, extended from a repair set if needed.
• Reconnect the battery only with ignition on and nobody inside.

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

🔩 Torque settings

Values can differ between engine variants — check the code stamped on your block.

ℹ️ Always cross-check the exact figure against your vehicle's factory manual before final tightening — a wrong torque can damage the engine. These values are extracted from workshop data and may not cover every variant or revision.

📋 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 on ignition.
2. Disconnect vehicle battery Electrical system27Battery; Disconnecting and reconnecting battery.
3. Remove end cover on right side .
4. Remove middle trim of right A-pillar .
5. Remove lower trim of right A-pillar .

6. Remove centre console cover .
7. Remove glove compartment .
8. ⚠ 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 body or striker plate of the door. — Disconnect connector from front passenger airbag.
9. Remove bolts (1) and (2).
10. Remove front passenger airbag (3) downwards from mountings.
11. For greater clarity, brackets (4) and (5) are shown removed. [Note: If the housing of front passenger airbag is made of plastic, the bolts (1) and (2) must be secured using the locking fluid D 197 300 A1.] [Note: The concept is presented using the example of a one-level airbag module. For the two-level airbag module, the process of determining whether an additional earth cable must be fitted in the vehicle is carried out at the same time.]
12. ⚠ If a front passenger airbag is renewed, an additional earth cable may have to be fitted to the vehicle — Check whether an earth cable is attached to the front passenger airbag housing: [Note: For the following work use a cable (wire cross section 1 mm, length 600 mm) from the Wiring harness repair setVAS 1978 or Wiring harness repair setVAS 1978A.]
13. Secure one end of the earth cable with the bolt (1) on the right hand side of the front passenger airbag.
14. Route the earth cable properly up to the right-hand side of the front passenger footwell. [Note: If necessary, extend the earth cable using suitable means from the wring harness repair setVAS 1978 or wiring harness repair setVAS 1978A.]
15. Connect the other end of the earth cable to the earth bolt (2).
16. Switch on ignition.
17. ⚠ Ensure that nobody is in vehicle. — Connect vehicle battery Electrical system27Battery; Disconnecting and connecting battery.

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