Airbag Deactivation With Vag-com

[cocurullo]

Hi,

I would like to know if anyone knows how to deactivate passenger airbag (to use a rear facing child seat) using VAG-COM and what is the procedure to follow

thanks in advance

fabio cocurullo (italy)

[fen_l&k]

Hi Fabio, and welcome to Briskoda!

I don't know whether the airbag electronics are accessible via VAG-COM, so I can't answer your question. Skodaw or big k may be able to help here. One word of advice though - airbags are dangerous things, and I for one wouldn't go messing about with them. Best course of action is to consult your dealer.

BTW - I've seen that on 2004 model Octys you can now specify a passenger airbag disable switch (£60 IIRC), so it must be possible!

[DGW]

It can be done by dealers, but some are unwilling to deactive such a safety feature.

[MonkeyHanger]

Originally posted by DGW in this post
It can be done by dealers, but some are unwilling to deactive such a safety feature.

If the reason for deactivation is to allow the use of a rear-facing child seat, then i don't see how a dealer can reasonably refuse this request on safety grounds, as an airbag would present a hazard to a child in such a seat.

Isnt passenger airbag deletion (or a deactivation switch at least) a factory option anyway ?

EDIT..

Oops, just re-read Howard's post. I'm sure the switch was in the options list when i bought my car.

[DGW]

A few past posts which shed more light on this matter:

Originally posted by big k in this post
the only way of de-activating passenger air bag on all fabia/octavia's is via vag diagnostic machines 1551/1552/5051 (in england) the owners manual is written for various countries so some things don't apply to uk

Originally posted by philc in this post
One of our fleet drivers with a Vrs asked the dealer about disabling the airbag -they refused. I think they were scared of liability.
I like the GM system that detects a baby seat, and deactivates the bag when it's fitted.

Phil

Originally posted by boy_exley in this post
I have also been looking into this, my life changing from being a single identifiable entity to "someones dad" fairly soon.

The local dealer informed me that it could be done, but was a "once off always off" and would be counted as a Moddification towards insurance. When I pointed out that in the Octavia accessories boolet there is a key disabler which can be done as a factory fit, and why could this not be done as a retro mod...

He went strangly quiet.

Our solution, is to fit the child seat in the back and be done. The ones most reccomended (to us) are the Britax seat, light and some of the safest on the market.

I'll get off my soap box now..

Cheers
!P

Originally posted by KentStu in this post
They are almost definitely refusing to disable the airbags for insurance/ liability. Most manufacturers are going this way as there has been a spate of incidents where airbags have activated in accidents even when they have been "deactivated" - problem apparently is that once an airbag is in place it is almost impossible to guarantee that it will not go off unless you take the whole thing off. Guess some dealers are happier than others to run the risk.

[Lummox]

We refused to disable any airbag for legal reasons. Audi used to do a kit to disable passenger airbags which included a link wire to physically bypass the airbag. In the kit was also a disclaimer that the customer had to sign and keep to say they had autho'd such action and the dealer was in no way responseable for any injuries incured in an accident. Turns out said disclaimer wasnt worth the paper it was written on and were sucessfully prosecuted for de activating a safety item.

Also many insurance compaines do not like the idea of safety items being turned off unless its with the propper switch (if fitted).

Moral of the story is have the kids in the back. If they need attention and you want them up front, you aint looking at the road anyhow.

[Kentish]

Why would you want to anyway? Your child is safer in the back rather than the front.

Andy

PS I know this thread has been running a while, but I felt I must add my feelings now.

[YellvRS]

There seems to be differing advice across the VAG group on this.
I have also been looking into this for our Seat Alhambra. Because of the shape of the removable rear seats it is not easy to fit all infant carriers in them. Due to this we have looked at having the Passenger aibag immobilised.( Front passenger seat is wider and deeper)
My local Seat dealer will quite happily fit a switch (car key operated) for around £100.00.
Whilst this may not be any help to fellow Octy drivers it would be nice if the whole group were quoting the same policy.

Paul

[flyingscot]

True facts are best place for a child seat is the back. Best to keep the airbag on and the kid in the back. If a child is in the front there is a danger you will tend to it when driving and this can cause a accident!

[YellvRS]

Originally posted by flyingscot in this post
True facts are best place for a child seat is the back. Best to keep the airbag on and the kid in the back. If a child is in the front there is a danger you will tend to it when driving and this can cause a accident!

True in most cases.
But a disabled airbag and a seat that fits properley in the front is safer than a poorly fitting seat in the rear.

Paul

[Kentish]

Better still buy an isofix seat for the rear then there is no worries about fit or finish is there.

Andy

[flyingscot]

Originally posted by YellvRS in this post
True in most cases.
But a disabled airbag and a seat that fits properley in the front is safer than a poorly fitting seat in the rear.

Paul

Best get a seat that fits properly in the back. I am sure most parents value their kids at more than £75. A disabled airbag may have serious consequences to any adult who travels in the front of your car or to the next owner should you forget to tell them!

[YellvRS]

Originally posted by flyingscot in this post
Best get a seat that fits properly in the back. I am sure most parents value their kids at more than £75. A disabled airbag may have serious consequences to any adult who travels in the front of your car or to the next owner should you forget to tell them!

Let me point out where i am coming from on this. i have three children the latest of which arrived seven weeks ago, born at 28 weeks and weighing 1lb10ozs. i have watched her struggle and grow for the last seven weeks in hospital and hopefully she will be home in three weeks time and believe me you can not put a price on how precious she is.
The Disabling of the airbag i am talking about is not permanent but switchable via ig'n key and dealer fitted. (citroen Picasso's have it as standard) Because of the Seat Alhambra we own the best rear fitting car seat was a Britax at over £100.00. which i quite happily purchased.
As mentioned in previous post its due to the seats in the rear being narrow and bolstered at the front infant carriers do not seem to fit so well.
This in reality means everytime we go in the car Baby will have to be transferred from house to seat to carrycot etc with possibility of cold, wet and waking etc. plus one other child on booster seat and one in another car seat. Majority of the time this is acceptable but when it comes to things like school runs it is more practical to have switchable airbag in front with securely fitted infant carrier that can easily be removed and carried because children left in cars is also a big no no! Hence my comments.

We then move onto Isofix the so called cure to all problems. The Seat Alham and my vRS have Isofix fixings, great you think no problem that will be my choice. But they do not have Isofix infant carriers and did you know that just cos its Isofix and supposedly universal it doesn't mean its approved to fit all cars with Isofix!

Please don't take these comments personally but it is something i have looked at in depth and for my personal circumstances it will be the best way forward and safety of my children is very important to me.
Paul

[Kentish]

My daughters are a tad older than yours...being 13 and 9. I still dont like them riding in the front of the car even now. I understand your predicament, but for me peace of mind is children in ther back with more metal around them, away from the frontal impact area.

As regards the isofix not so standard, have you tried the Seat or VW dealerships, or come to that Ford too?. Seeing as the cars are all the same basically, the chances are with 2/3 different ranges of accessories you might strike it lucky.

Just my thoughts.

Andy

ps we used to use a Britax car seat, rear facing for very young and forward facing as they got a little bigger. It was fairly biggish and heavy, and not very woman friendly. What it was though was strong. metal and solid, and more to the point the child was very safe.
That seat did both of my girls and it wore very well too. Of course, it is nothing like the modern ones, which too me seem to light and plastic.......I know which one I would have if I had to choose again.

[YellvRS]

ps we used to use a Britax car seat, rear facing for very young and forward facing as they got a little bigger. It was fairly biggish and heavy, and not very woman friendly. What it was though was strong. metal and solid, and more to the point the child was very safe.
That seat did both of my girls and it wore very well too. Of course, it is nothing like the modern ones, which too me seem to light and plastic.......I know which one I would have if I had to choose again.

Andy agree with you comments we went for the Britax for the same reasons, rearward facing from birth and forward facing for 6 month on. Very good quality seat and as you say not the most portable. I will just be able to squeeze all three of them across the Alhambra, trying to avoid using the third row of seats long term for the same safety fears as they are quite close to the back. Have not tried yet but think three across in the Octy vRS with all the seats is going to be too tight.
Never mind that keeps it nicer for just me to drive.

With regard the Isofix/ Car seat fitting problems i have been down this route before when we had a V reg Nissan Primera Sport and a V reg Mondeo GhiaX. The Nissan had Isofix, Ford didn't, Nissan had half leather and shaped rear seats like vRS, Mondeo had full leather and slippery as hell, had to try several seats before getting a good fit on both. Mondeo still had to have Towel on seat to assist.
When it comes to dealers and car seats there seems to be a certain ignorance on cross compatibility, not many people have two identical cars.
Best bet is find a specialist shop who have good experience and training.

Paul