AUDI A4 1999 B5 / 1.G Airbag Service OBD User Guide
Page 11 of 74
Function 03 is only available for vehicles 1997  . 
Pa
ge 11 of 74 Airba
g system 
(with and without side airba
g)
 On Board Dia
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)
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play?action=Goto&t
yp
e=re
pair&id=AUDI.B5.BD04.01.2 
Page 12 of 74
01-11
      
Check DTC Memory (scan tool function 
02)
 
     
Note:  
     The DTC display information is updated only 
when initiating the On Board Diagnostic (OBD) or 
"Erase DTC Memory" function 05. 
     
-  Switch printer on by pressing PRINT button 
(indicator lamp in button lights up). 
     
Carrying out "Check DTC Memory" function 
02  
Rapid data transfer 
HELP
Select function XX
    
Indicated on display  
-  Press buttons -0- and -2- to select "Check DTC Memory" function 02.
Rapid data transfer 
Q
02 - Check DTC Memor
y
    
Indicated on display  
-  Press -Q- button to confirm input.
X DTC recognized 
    
Indicated on display (number of stored Diagnostic Trouble Codes, DTCs).  
or:  
No DTC recognized 
    
If the message "No DTC recognized" is displayed, the program can be 
returned to the starting point by pressing the   button.  
Pa
ge 12 of 74 Airba
g system 
(with and without side airba
g)
 On Board Dia
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)
11/20/2002 htt
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play?action=Goto&t
yp
e=re
pair&id=AUDI.B5.BD04.01.2 
Page 13 of 74
01-12
 
Rapid data transfer  
HELP
Select function XX
    
Indicated on display  
If something else is displayed:  
 Scan tool operating instructions   -  Erase DTC Memory (function 05)   page 01
-137
 .
-  End Output (function 06)   page 01
-139
 .
-  Disconnect VAG1551 Scan Tool (ST) from Data Link Connector (DLC).
Pa
ge 13 of 74 Airba
g system 
(with and without side airba
g)
 On Board Dia
gnostic 
(OBD
)
11/20/2002 htt
p://127.0.0.1:8080/audi/servlet/Dis
play?action=Goto&t
yp
e=re
pair&id=AUDI.B5.BD04.01.2 
Page 14 of 74
01-13
 Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) table, airbag system
 
Notes:  
 
In the following table, all the possible malfunctions that can be recognized by the airbag control module -J234- are listed 
according to their DTC code numbers. Existing malfunctions will be printed with their 5-digit DTC only if the VAG1551 
printer is switched on. 
 If a malfunction occurs persistently, the airbag Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) -K75- will light up and remain lit until the 
malfunction is repaired and the DTC memory has been erased. 
 If a malfunction occurs only occasionally or if the DTC memory is not erased after a malfunction is repaired, the 
malfunction will be displayed as a sporadic malfunction. Such malfunctions are identified by the letters "/SP" to the right on 
the VAG1551 display and will cause -K75- to light up continuously. 
 Before replacing a component shown as malfunctioning, check the wiring to the component for short or open circuit 
according to the wiring diagram. 
 The three digit malfunction type number appearing next to the DTC is a data code which can be disregarded.
Pa
ge 14 of 74 Airba
g system 
(with and without side airba
g)
 On Board Dia
gnostic 
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)
11/20/2002 htt
p://127.0.0.1:8080/audi/servlet/Dis
play?action=Goto&t
yp
e=re
pair&id=AUDI.B5.BD04.01.2 
Page 15 of 74
01-14
 
DTC  
  
  
VAG 1551 scan tool 
display  Possible cause  
Corrective action  
00532        
Supply voltage B+  
Supply voltage too low   
Battery discharged or faulty
 Short circuit in vehicle 
electrical system - Recharge or replace battery.
- Repair short circuit in vehicle electrical system.
00588        
Airbag Igniter-Driver 
Side-N95  
Resistance value too 
large   Open circuit in wiring
 Spiral spring faulty
 Driver-side airbag unit faulty
 Airbag control module -J234- 
faulty  Electrical Wiring Diagrams, Troubleshooting & Component 
Locations binder    - Repair wiring according to wiring diagram.
- Check spiral spring.
- Replace driver-side airbag unit.
- Replace airbag control module -J234-.
00588        
Airbag Igniter-Driver 
Side-N95  
Resistance value too 
small   
Short circuit in wiring
 Spiral spring faulty
 Driver-side airbag unit faulty
 Airbag control module -J234- 
faulty  Electrical Wiring Diagrams, Troubleshooting & Component 
Locations binder    - Repair wiring according to wiring diagram.
- Check spiral spring.
Pa
ge 15 of 74 Airba
g system 
(with and without side airba
g)
 On Board Dia
gnostic 
(OBD
)
11/20/2002 htt
p://127.0.0.1:8080/audi/servlet/Dis
play?action=Goto&t
yp
e=re
pair&id=AUDI.B5.BD04.01.2 
Page 16 of 74
- Replace driver-side airbag unit.
- Replace airbag control module -J234-.
Pa
ge 16 of 74 Airba
g system 
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g)
 On Board Dia
gnostic 
(OBD
)
11/20/2002 htt
p://127.0.0.1:8080/audi/servlet/Dis
play?action=Goto&t
yp
e=re
pair&id=AUDI.B5.BD04.01.2 
Page 17 of 74
01-15
 
DTC  
  
  
VAG 1551 scan tool display  
Possible cause  
Corrective action  
00588       
Drivers side airbag igniter -N95- 
Short circuit to B+    
Wire damagedAirbag control module -J234- 
malfunctioning   
 Electrical Wiring Diagrams, Troubleshooting & 
Component Locations binder    - Repair wiring according to wiring diagram
- Replace airbag control module -J234-
00588       
Drivers side airbag igniter -N95- 
Short circuit to Ground    
Wire damagedDriver-side airbag unit 
malfunctioning Airbag control module -J234- 
malfunctioning   
 Electrical Wiring Diagrams, Troubleshooting & 
Component Locations binder    - Repair wiring according to wiring diagram
- Replace driver-side airbag unit
- Replace airbag control module -J234-
Pa
ge 17 of 74 Airba
g system 
(with and without side airba
g)
 On Board Dia
gnostic 
(OBD
)
11/20/2002 htt
p://127.0.0.1:8080/audi/servlet/Dis
play?action=Goto&t
yp
e=re
pair&id=AUDI.B5.BD04.01.2 
Page 18 of 74
01-16
 
DTC  
  
  
VAG 1551 scan tool 
display  Possible cause  
Corrective action  
00589        
Airbag Igniter 1-Passenger 
Side-N131  
Resistance value too large  
  
Open circuit in wiringPassenger-side airbag unit 
faulty Airbag control module -
J234- faulty  Electrical Wiring Diagrams, Troubleshooting & 
Component Locations binder    - Repair wiring according to wiring diagram.
- Replace passenger-side airbag unit.
- Replace airbag control module -J234-.
00589        
Airbag Igniter 1-Passenger 
Side-N131  
Resistance value too small  
Short circuit in wiringPassenger-side airbag unit 
faulty Airbag control module -
J234- faulty  Electrical Wiring Diagrams, Troubleshooting & 
Component Locations binder    - Repair wiring according to wiring diagram.
- Replace passenger-side airbag unit.
- Replace airbag control module -J234-.
Pa
ge 18 of 74 Airba
g system 
(with and without side airba
g)
 On Board Dia
gnostic 
(OBD
)
11/20/2002 htt
p://127.0.0.1:8080/audi/servlet/Dis
play?action=Goto&t
yp
e=re
pair&id=AUDI.B5.BD04.01.2 
Page 19 of 74
01-17
 
DTC  
  
  
VAG 1551 scan tool display  
Possible cause  
Corrective action  
00589       
Passengers side airbag igniter 1 -
N131- Short circuit to B+  
Wire damagedAirbag control module -J234- 
malfunctioning  Electrical Wiring Diagrams, Troubleshooting & 
Component Locations binder    - Repair wiring according to wiring diagram
- Replace airbag control module -J234-
00589       
Passengers side airbag igniter 1 -
N131- Short circuit to Ground  
Wire damagedPassenger-side airbag unit 
malfunctioning Airbag control module -J234- 
malfunctioning  Electrical Wiring Diagrams, Troubleshooting & 
Component Locations binder    - Repair wiring according to wiring diagram
- Replace passenger-side airbag unit
- Replace airbag control module -J234-
Pa
ge 19 of 74 Airba
g system 
(with and without side airba
g)
 On Board Dia
gnostic 
(OBD
)
11/20/2002 htt
p://127.0.0.1:8080/audi/servlet/Dis
play?action=Goto&t
yp
e=re
pair&id=AUDI.B5.BD04.01.2 
Page 20 of 74
01-18
 
V.A.G 1551 print-out  
Possible malfunction cause  
Corrective action  
00589        
Igniter 1 for airbag (passenger's 
side) -N131  
Short to Ground  
Wiring damagedFront passenger's airbag 
unit faulty Airbag control unit -J234 
faulty  Electrical Wiring Diagrams, Troubleshooting & 
Component Locations binder    - Repair per wiring diagram
- Replace front passenger's airbag unit
- Replace airbag control unit -J234
00591        
Left Seat Belt Switch -E24  
Implausible switch condition  
Left belt lock switch faulty- Replace left belt lock switch
00591        
Left Seat Belt Switch -E24  
Short circuit to positive  Wiring damaged
 Electrical Wiring Diagrams, Troubleshooting & 
Component Locations binder    - Check and repair wiring harness
- Repair per wiring diagram
00591        
Left Seat Belt Switch -E24  
Short circuit to Ground  
Wiring damaged
 Electrical Wiring Diagrams, Troubleshooting &  - Check and repair wiring harness
- Repair per wiring diagram
Pa
ge 20 of 74 Airba
g system 
(with and without side airba
g)
 On Board Dia
gnostic 
(OBD
)
11/20/2002 htt
p://127.0.0.1:8080/audi/servlet/Dis
play?action=Goto&t
yp
e=re
pair&id=AUDI.B5.BD04.01.2