Hi all:

I had my local body shop remove my airbag and steering wheel, to replace the original all-leather steering wheel with the wood/leather type. The steering wheels themselves are identical; the ONLY difference is that one wheel has all-leather while the other is wood/leather. They put the original airbag back on.

But when i got the car back, the airbag light was on.

My body shop told me that they disconnected the battery before doing it, but that the airbag light still came on. They told me they didn't have the tools to reset it, and that i'd have to take it to Bentley to have it reset. Simple, right?

So i took it to my Bentley dealer. They told me that my airbag is actually SHORTED OUT. Yes, shorted out. They said my body shop plugged it in wrong.

I have a reasonable understanding of electronics, and am confused as to how an airbag can be 'shorted out'...

Dealer says i have to replace it. $3,700.

I called my body shop and they said, "there's only one plug and it's impossible to plug it in wrong." I believe them!!

Any ideas as to what could have happened? At this point, i'm not sure who's really to blame. Could it be that a wire going to the airbag plug is simply 'not in place?' etc?

Thanks!

-Chris

 

Unless the dealer bench tested the bag its very difficult to determine the actual state of the bag from looking at it. There are two connectors on the bag and the contacts or connectors have a very specific orientation. I would try a different dealer or facility that can reset the light via the CANBUS. Good luck.

 

Thanks for the response! You were right; simple connector. Turned out to be simple yet mysterious--the dealer 'cleaned' the connector, plugged it back in, and warning light went out. Solved!

 

Glad it worked out... Good Luck!