Audi S3 Airbag ECU Fault!!

[danno2828]

Hi!
I have just bought an '99 S3 with 36k on the clock. After doing about 200 miles in her ther Airbag light came up on the dash. After taking her to Audi to have a diagnositics test, they told me I needed a new Airbag ECU and a couple of other sensors. The bill for the work to be done comin in at Just over a GRAND.

Has anyone else had the same problem and if so did Audi offer any money towards it? They have offered me £380 towards it. Is this good? Or should I be asking for it to be replaced for nothing as the car has low mileage?

Please Help

Thanks

Dan

 

[marms]

I don't think that low mileage will be a factor here to be honest. Electronics fail unfortunately. £380 is a good contribution it's just that the £1000 starting point is way high. The car is 8 years old so I'm actually surprised Audi offered anything. Couldn't you look for a used ECU as obviously the retail price of the new one is ridiculous.

You said that you have only just bought the car? And you have only done 200 miles? so why not simply take it back to the dealer and tell them it's their problem. Surely if you bought it from a dealer ytou have some kind of warranty?

Good luck in getting it sorted.

 

[danno2828]

It was a private sale, so unfortunately no dealer to take it back too. The price of the new Airbag ECU isn't so bad (£300), it's the £600 odd pound they want for fitting it that bumps the price up.

I realise that electronics fail but I suppose i'm just a bit gutted that 1 week after buying the car I've got a £1000 bill for a repair for a part that I feel should never really fail.

I'm going to talk to Audi again and see if they can up their contribution.

 

[madvw]

Have you checked the obvious already like the airbag plugs under the seats?

 

[marms]

Where in the country are you?

I think it would be a good idea to find someone who has VAG-COM and can read the error from your car. Then you should know for sure what the problem is and be 100% confident that the dealer aren't changing the ECU when it is not necessary.

£600 to change an Air bag ECU? They're having a laugh.

Why not try an Independent Garage (possible an Audi specialist) There labour rate will be much lower and they might even be able to locate a second user part.

But before you do anything, as above, get the error code read from the car.

Hope that helps.

 

[Roadtrain]

Someone know if 8L0 959 655M airbag ECU for Audi S3 8L BAM is equal then other airbag ECU code with different last letter? For example:

8L0 959 655F,
8L0 959 655L,
8L0 959 655G.

Thank you.