Retrofitting the passenger airbag switch in the A4

Hello,

For A4 models manufactured in 2000, the passenger airbag can be deactivated using a key switch, which allows for the installation of a child seat.

Now I've seen that it's apparently possible to retrofit this (specifically on an A4 model from 1999). The question now is whether there is a matching set available, or which parts are needed, and how everything needs to be connected.

Thank you in advance.

Hello cksIT,

The retrofitting process itself is quite simple. I did it on an A6, model year 2001, and it shouldn't be much different on an A4.

'Parts needed (likely similar for A6 and A4 models).' But go to the friendly one, the one who will pull up your file and has to order the lock cylinder anyway.
- Door cylinder
- Mounting frame for the lock cylinder with the switch attached.
- Cover panel in the interior lighting area, front, with the 'Airbag off' indicator.

You can easily pop off the cover panel in the headliner (I almost did it while driving, just out of curiosity while playing with the part), disconnect the connector for the interior lighting, and then look around underneath: the second connector, which fits the new panel and activates the display, is already there. Attach and clip.
Okay, now remove the glove compartment, cut a hole for the switch, and install the switch. The wiring for the switch runs to the connector for the glove compartment light... but only connect it there, not to your existing switch – follow the wiring diagram. The dealer can quickly show you the wiring diagram in the ELSA system, or someone here in the forum can probably tell you which colors go to which pins on the connector. I haven't found a complete wiring harness specifically for the glove compartment. Homemade.
Turn the ignition on - the airbag light remains on -> The switch needs to be encoded in the airbag control unit using VAGCOM or by a qualified mechanic. The error needs to be cleared, and then it should be fixed. Ross-Tech can certainly tell you which bit needs to be set. I got the information from the internet back then, but I can't find it anymore .

Good evening.

Michael.

I once went to the and asked him what all was involved. He couldn't really help me much. I then looked into "ASLE" and found a guide about it.
My problem now is still the lamp. You wrote that you need the cover panel in the interior lighting area, at the front, which displays the "Airbag off" warning.

However, the guide states that a new interior light is needed (70€).
How exactly does that work? Have you already installed the lamp and just added the cover, or how did you do it?

Thank you for the information!

Okay, in my case (A6, manufactured in 2001), it was actually just the cover of the interior light. The LEDs for the display are built into this cover, along with the connector. However, it was definitely not the entire lamp assembly. It's possible that the bulb holder for the interior light was also included. But not the reading light. Of course, it might be the entire lamp assembly in the A4. 70€ is a lot for just one more LED in the car, but if you upgrade with original parts, you won't have any problems with the TÜV (German technical inspection authority). Besides, you can probably sell the old lamp. I almost got the price of the new bezel back when I sold the old one . By the way, back then, I paid a total of about 100-120€ for the bezel, lock cylinder, and switch.