Body interior · Passenger protection · Driver side airbag

Removing and installing airbag unit with igniter

3.2.1 Removing and installing airbag unit with igniter

Removing, all vehicles except “GTI” and “BlueGT”

Switch ignition on.
Disconnect vehicle battery ⇒ Electrical system; Rep. gr. 27; Battery; Disconnecting and reconnecting battery.
Move steering wheel to lowest position.
Extend steering wheel as far as possible into passenger compartment.

Make sure that the round closed recess -3- in the base of the steering wheel -2- is in the highest position above steering column trim -1-.

For the steps below a commercially available pin punch with a shaft diameter of 5 or 6 mm is required.

Mask off the end of the pin punch handle with commercially available adhesive tape to prevent the dash panel insert and steering column switch trim from being scratched.
Position pin punch parallel to steering column axis, and pierce through breaking point at base of steering wheel.
Insert pin punch into base of steering wheel as far as stop, and pull it back by 1 to 2 mm.

Pull pin punch -2- upwards “in a fast motion”.
This will move the coil of spring -3- towards the centre of the steering wheel -arrow A-.
At the same time the right arm of the spring moves outwards -arrow B-.

As a result, the driver airbag -1- is released from the catch on the left side of the steering wheel.

Make sure that the round closed recess -3- in the base of the steering wheel -2- is in the highest position above steering column trim -1-.
Use the pin punch to pierce through the breaking point as described, and insert it into the base of the steering wheel as far as stop.
Pull pin punch back by 1 to 2 mm

Slightly press with one hand on the horn symbol on the side of the steering wheel which has already been released.

This is necessary to prevent the airbag from being jammed in the steering wheel.

Pull pin punch -2- upwards “in a fast motion”.
This will move the coil of spring -3- towards the centre of the steering wheel -arrow A-.
At the same time the outer arms of the spring move outwards -arrows B-.

As a result, the driver airbag -1- is released from the catches in the steering wheel.

Release connector lock -3- in -direction of arrow-, and pull off airbag connector -2-.
On vehicles with multifunction steering wheel, pull off connector -1- in -direction of arrow-.

Installing, all vehicles except “GTI” and “BlueGT”

On vehicles with multifunction steering wheel, connect the respective connector to the connector coupling.
Connect airbag connector to connector coupling, and press in connector lock.

The airbag connector must audibly engage.

Connect vehicle battery ⇒ Electrical system; Rep. gr. 27; Battery; Disconnecting and connecting battery.

Removing, only “GTI” and “BlueGT”

6R 2009–2014 Removing

Switch ignition on.
Disconnect vehicle battery ⇒ Electrical system; Rep. gr. 27; Disconnecting and reconnecting battery.
Move steering wheel to lowest position.
Extend steering wheel as far as possible into passenger compartment.
Turn steering wheel 90° to the left.
Insert a screwdriver into hole in back of steering wheel to stop (approx. 18 mm) at left edge of opening.
Pull screwdriver upwards -arrow-.

This action releases airbag unit fastener on right side of steering wheel.

Turn steering wheel 180° and release airbag unit fastener on left side of steering wheel as described.

Release connector locking device -in direction of arrow- and pull airbag connector -1- off.

6R 2009–2014 Installing

6C 2014–2017 Removing, only “GTI” and “BlueGT”

Insert airbag connector into plug-in connector. The airbag connector must audibly engage.
Press airbag unit into steering wheel.
Check that airbag unit is engaged on left and right sides in steering wheel.
Switch ignition on.

Reconnect vehicle battery ⇒ Electrical system; Rep. gr. 27; Disconnecting and reconnecting battery.