2011 VW Touareg TDI - AIRBAGS Controller Security Code?

[blueerasertwin]

Few things here, first of all, thanks so much for having me on the forum!

I bought a 2011 diesel-gate Touareg about a year ago. I have had VW and Mercedes diesels for all of my adult life. I have lurked on here for years, and I am really excited to finally be part of the community.

The reason I purchase the VCDS was in the hopes of clearing an airbag code I have had since I bought the car a year ago. My thought was that it sat for several years with a dead battery and it simply needed to be reset somehow. (I know about rose colored glasses) I took it to the dealer to have it cleared, and they asked for $99 just to hook it to the computer so I said no thanks as I knew I could look into it myself for only $200 with the help of ross-tech.

I got my VCDS a few days ago and since then I dug around on the forums some and found this post which I saved to a .pdf and got to work this afternoon. I was pretty much stopped dead in my tracks when the security code in the document didn't work for me. I also tried the default code that pops up without success.

I don't have a service manual to pull the proper code. I have seen a few other places on the forum that users have been able to get the proper codes for their controllers by posting in the forums and I was hoping someone could lend me a hand too. I have posted the airbag output below in the hopes that this is the correct information to get a conversation started, but if I need to post something else instead, please let me know.

Thanks so much for taking the time to review

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 15: Airbags (J234)       Labels:| 7P0-959-655.clb
   Part No SW: 7P0 959 655 B    HW: 7P0 959 655 B
   Component: VW10Airbag025 H05 0023
   Revision: --------    Serial number: 003JX001KTBU
   Coding: 000000000000000000000000000000003235
   Shop #: WSC 31414 790 00001
   ASAM Dataset: EV_AirbaVW10BPAVW526 001001
   ROD: EV_AirbaVW10BPAVW526_001.rod
   VCID: 40D944B91A042DAB123-8014

   Seat occupied recognition:
   Subsystem 1 - Part No SW: 7P6 959 339     HW: 7P6 959 339
   Component: BF-Gewichtss.  003 0005
   Serial number: 5850000R10A02015H7

   Crash sensor for side airbag: driver side:
   Serial number: 3575LRB405F0BI7SE0CL

   Crash sensor for side airbag: front passenger side:
   Serial number: 3585LRB405F0BI7S61SV

   Crash sensor for side airbag: rear: driver side:
   Serial number: 3515RRB40650BTBGI0V

   Crash sensor for side airbag: rear: passenger side:
   Serial number: 3525RRB405R0BTBG59D

   Crash sensor for front airbag: driver side:
   Serial number: 3555NRB40670AMH8A1F7

   Crash sensor for front airbag: front passenger side:
   Serial number: 3565NRB405J0D6ISN95

7 Faults Found:
0023 - Internal Control Module Memory Check Sum Error
          B2000 00 [137] - -
          [Electronic Control Unit Malfunction]
          MIL ON - Confirmed - Tested Since Memory Clear
             Freeze Frame:
                    Fault Status: 00000001
                    Fault Priority: 1
                    Fault Frequency: 1
                    Mileage: 171388 km
                    Date: 2019.05.03
                    Time: 00:41:42

0036 - Internal Control Module Memory Check Sum Error
          B2000 00 [137] - -
          [Electronic Control Unit Malfunction]
          MIL ON - Confirmed - Tested Since Memory Clear
             Freeze Frame:
                    Fault Status: 00000001
                    Fault Priority: 1
                    Fault Frequency: 1
                    Mileage: 171388 km
                    Date: 2019.05.03
                    Time: 00:41:42

13635840 - Supply voltage
          U1011 00 [008] - Voltage too Low
          [Powersupply lower threshold fall short of]
          Intermittent - Confirmed - Tested Since Memory Clear
             Freeze Frame:
                    Fault Status: 00000001
                    Fault Priority: 2
                    Fault Frequency: 2
                    Reset counter: 74
                    Mileage: 171389 km
                    Date: 2019.01.29
                    Time: 07:32:39

1048832 - Databus
          U1121 00 [008] - Missing Message
          [CAN: 0x100 ESP_01 Timeout]
          Intermittent - Confirmed - Tested Since Memory Clear
             Freeze Frame:
                    Fault Status: 00000001
                    Fault Priority: 6
                    Fault Frequency: 1
                    Reset counter: 75
                    Mileage: 171388 km
                    Date: 2019.05.03
                    Time: 02:23:18

1048581 - Databus
          U1123 00 [008] - Received Error Message
          [CAN: 0x5F0 Dimmung_01 Failure-value DI_KL_58d]
          Intermittent - Confirmed - Tested Since Memory Clear
             Freeze Frame:
                    Fault Status: 00000001
                    Fault Priority: 6
                    Fault Frequency: 1
                    Reset counter: 75
                    Mileage: 171388 km
                    Date: 2019.05.03
                    Time: 02:27:12

1051904 - Databus
          U1121 00 [008] - Missing Message
          [CAN: 0x30B Kombi_01Timeout]
          Intermittent - Confirmed - Tested Since Memory Clear
             Freeze Frame:
                    Fault Status: 00000001
                    Fault Priority: 6
                    Fault Frequency: 1
                    Reset counter: 75
                    Mileage: 171388 km
                    Date: 2019.05.03
                    Time: 02:23:18

9483264 - Seat Occupied Recognition
          B10B4 00 [008] - Function Restriction due to Undervoltage
          Intermittent - Confirmed - Tested Since Memory Clear
             Freeze Frame:
                    Fault Status: 00000001
                    Fault Priority: 2
                    Fault Frequency: 2
                    Reset counter: 74
                    Mileage: 171389 km
                    Date: 2019.01.29
                    Time: 07:15:13

 

[PetrolDave]

0023 - Internal Control Module Memory Check Sum Error
B2000 00 [137] - -
[Electronic Control Unit Malfunction]
MIL ON - Confirmed - Tested Since Memory Clear
Freeze Frame:
Fault Status: 00000001
Fault Priority: 1
Fault Frequency: 1
Mileage: 171388 km
Date: 2019.05.03
Time: 00:41:42

This indicates a pretty serious error in the module, often only fixed by replacing it.

If you do replace it then get an identical one, including the colour code shown after the part number (that's really important).

 

[Uwe]

I concur. This isn't going to get fixed with a security access code.

-Uwe-

 

[Uwe]

I got my VCDS a few days ago and since then I dug around on the forums some and found this post which I saved to a .pdf and got to work this afternoon. I was pretty much stopped dead in my tracks when the security code in the document didn't work for me. I also tried the default code that pops up without success.

Your 2011 is not a 7L chassis, it's the newer 7P chassis.

-Uwe-

 

[MartinsX]

All the codes are stored at the same mileage (+1km for two codes), probably result of voltage going low (battery dying)
Do they all come back if trying simply to clear codes? Is battery new and fully charged now? What power supply voltage is shown in measured values in 0x15?

 

[blueerasertwin]

All the codes are stored at the same mileage (+1km for two codes), probably result of voltage going low (battery dying)
Do they all come back if trying simply to clear codes? Is battery new and fully charged now? What power supply voltage is shown in measured values in 0x15?

The battery was almost certainly left do die while it sat for several years between being purchased from the original owner and sold at auction. The battery was replaced before it was auctioned and works without issue.

I tried to reset the codes from the module, but they seem to come right back after the session restarts. Supply voltage is 14.2

 

[blueerasertwin]

This indicates a pretty serious error in the module, often only fixed by replacing it.

If you do replace it then get an identical one, including the colour code shown after the part number (that's really important).

Is it tough to replace this module? Is it expensive? I have no previous experience working with airbags, but I have seen a lot of posts on here about guys troubleshooting them. Definitely gives me some pause

 

[blueerasertwin]

Your 2011 is not a 7L chassis, it's the newer 7P chassis.

-Uwe-

Very good point! Should I pursue the security codes further? Would it allow me a "higher level" reset? I do tend to agree with MartinX that this was very likely cause by the battery going dead, but what do I know....

 

[MartinsX]

Reflashing of 0x15 may help. (Not possible with VCDS)

 

[blueerasertwin]

Reflashing of 0x15 may help. (Not possible with VCDS)

is this something that a dealer would typically do? My local dealership is terrible to work with

 

[PetrolDave]

is this something that a dealer would typically do? My local dealership is terrible to work with

Since it's the SRS module I doubt that a dealer would like the liability issue of refreshing it.

 

[blueerasertwin]

Since it's the SRS module I doubt that a dealer would like the liability issue of refreshing it.

what do the options for reflashing look like? I am having trouble finding anything reliable in google search results.

 

[MartinsX]

what do the options for reflashing look like? I am having trouble finding anything reliable in google search results.

It is like reinstalling Windows on Your PC
Each control module of car contains microprocessor and internal memory. Biggest part of this memory is used for operational software (like operational system of PC). Back in 90'ths this software was hard-coded at a time module was manufactured. Nowadays almost every module can be "reflashed" - reprogrammed with another or updated software. Initially it was made for cases factory found some bugs in current software, then dealers can update it without replacing module.
But, based on this capability, a lot of things are possible now. This is how "chiptuning" works, too.

 

[blueerasertwin]

It is like reinstalling Windows on Your PC
Each control module of car contains microprocessor and internal memory. Biggest part of this memory is used for operational software (like operational system of PC). Back in 90'ths this software was hard-coded at a time module was manufactured. Nowadays almost every module can be "reflashed" - reprogrammed with another or updated software. Initially it was made for cases factory found some bugs in current software, then dealers can update it without replacing module.
But, based on this capability, a lot of things are possible now. This is how "chiptuning" works, too.

Thanks for the speedy and through response @MartinsX. I have a background with computers and understand some rudimentary programming. Is this something a laymen should take on? Should I take it to a collision shop to see what insights they would recommend?

Sorry if these are elementary questions - I am not sure where to turn

 

[MartinsX]

Technically reflashing of modules SW or rewriting of it's internal EEPROM may return module to fully operational state.
But I'm not sure about legal issues. Airbag system control module is a safety device. According factory repair manual faulty module must be replaced with new one without exceptions.
If it was my own, i'd try to repair it. If it was my customer's, I'd offer him a new one...

 

[blueerasertwin]

Technically reflashing of modules SW or rewriting of it's internal EEPROM may return module to fully operational state.
But I'm not sure about legal issues. Airbag system control module is a safety device. According factory repair manual faulty module must be replaced with new one without exceptions.
If it was my own, i'd try to repair it. If it was my customer's, I'd offer him a new one...

I appreciate your commentary. How do I go about learning to repair it?

 

[Viking]

I appreciate your commentary. How do I go about learning to repair it?

This is perhaps one of those times when "If you have to ask, then you're not gonna succeed". Given that this won't be possible with VCDS I'm not sure that you'll get any good answer here, but having said that even if you're determined to pursue the self fix I'd guess that the investment for the technology & hardware etc. required to reset an airbag module will far exceed the cost of simply buying a new one.

Having said that (again) Maybe this service would be something you could investigate?

 

[blueerasertwin]

Thanks so much guys.

One last question (famous last words) - Is there a resource that could show me have to safely remove this module to mail off? A Wiki or a YouTube video that breaks down steps for me?

 

[MartinsX]

Disconnect battery and wait some 10-15 min before disconnecting connectors of airbag system. Do not touch pins of disconnected connectors by hand - risk of static discharge. It is suggested not to wear synthetic or woolen clothes when working with ESD sensitive devices, too.
Most correct instructions how to remove/reinstall any part of Your exact car can be found on ErWin.