Question regarding electronic damage while welding

[Rembrant]

Hi Folks,

I am not sure if this is anything I need to worry about or not, but I just got a call from the VW Autobody shop.
(My car is currently in having some panels replaced under the VW corrosion warranty).

Apparently while welding one of the new quarter panels on, a "wire penetrated another wire".
I assume this means that the mig wire hit the wiring harness...or there was an arc somewhere?...

Anyway, this caused the passenger side curtain airbag to deploy, and apparently damaged the headliner and the airbag module.
They are going to repair these things under warranty, and the car will be sent back to the dealer to make sure all of the airbags are working properly.

Is there anything I need to worry about here?
Should anything else be investigated or checked out by me afterwards?
Should I advise the dealer to check/confirm anything else?

I just want to cover my butt here and avoid any future problems related to this repair.

I did do an Autoscan before dropping the car off, so I know there were zero codes/faults at that time.

Sunday,09,October,2016,13:18:36:24871
VCDS -- Windows Based VAG/VAS Emulator Running on Windows 10 x64
VCDS Version: 16.8.2.3 (x64)
Data version: 20160926 DS261.0
www.Ross-Tech.com


VIN: 3VWDT71K96M009364   License Plate: 
Mileage: 192400km-119551mi   Repair Order: 



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chassis Type: 1K (1K0)
Scan: 01 03 08 09 15 16 17 19 25 42 44 46 52 56 62 72 7D

VIN: 3VWDT71K96M009364   Mileage: 192400km-119551miles

00-Steering Angle Sensor -- Status: OK 0000
01-Engine -- Status: OK 0000
03-ABS Brakes -- Status: OK 0000
08-Auto HVAC -- Status: OK 0000
09-Cent. Elect. -- Status: OK 0000
15-Airbags -- Status: OK 0000
16-Steering wheel -- Status: OK 0000
17-Instruments -- Status: OK 0000
19-CAN Gateway -- Status: OK 0000
25-Immobilizer -- Status: OK 0000
42-Door Elect, Driver -- Status: OK 0000
44-Steering Assist -- Status: OK 0000
46-Central Conv. -- Status: OK 0000
52-Door Elect, Pass. -- Status: OK 0000
56-Radio -- Status: OK 0000
62-Door, Rear Left -- Status: OK 0000
72-Door, Rear Right -- Status: OK 0000
7D-Aux. Heat -- Status: OK 0000
 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 01: Engine        Labels: 038-906-016-BEW.lbl
   Part No SW: 03G 906 016 AB    HW: 028 101 223 8
   Component: R4 1,9L EDC G000SG  7550  
   Revision: --H03---    Serial number: VWZ7Z0F4255044
   Coding: 0050071
   Shop #: WSC 00066 000 00000
   VCID: 63C580DBA2349F5AC9-8036

No fault code found.
Readiness: 0 0 0 0 1 

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 03: ABS Brakes        Labels: 1K0-907-379-MK60-F.lbl
   Part No SW: 1K0 907 379 AC    HW: 1K0 907 379 AC
   Component: ESP FRONT MK60      0101  
   Revision: 00H11001    
   Coding: 0021122
   Shop #: WSC 00066 000 00000
   VCID: 73E5F09B12D40FDAB9-8026

No fault code found.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 08: Auto HVAC        Labels: 1K0-820-047.lbl
   Part No: 1K0 820 047 DQ
   Component: Climatic PQ35   090 0505  
   Shop #: WSC 00000 000 00000
   VCID: 76E3C98F01A61AF29E-8022

No fault code found.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 09: Cent. Elect.        Labels: 3C0-937-049-23-M.lbl
   Part No SW: 3C0 937 049 P    HW: 3C0 937 049 P
   Component: Bordnetz-SG     H46 1501  
   Revision: 00H46000    Serial number: 00000000360553
   Coding: 10018E234004150007140000001400000008730B5C0000
   Shop #: WSC 00066 000 00000
   VCID: 3663098F41265AF25E-8062

   Subsystem 1 - Part No: 1K1 955 119 E  Labels: 1KX-955-119.CLB
   Component: Wischer 200606 020  0501  
   Coding: 00038805
   Shop #: WSC 00066  

No fault code found.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 15: Airbags        Labels: 1K0-909-605.lbl
   Part No SW: 1K0 909 605 Q    HW: 1K0 909 605 Q
   Component: 6D AIRBAG VW8R  033 7900  
   Revision: 04033000    Serial number: 0038LD09H1B/  
   Coding: 0013892
   Shop #: WSC 00066 000 00000
   VCID: 3A7B1DBF753EBE92BA-806E

   Subsystem 1 - Serial number: 6332MSME115910772

   Subsystem 2 - Serial number: 6342MSME0E27140BB

   Subsystem 3 - Serial number: 6351HSME096F04225

   Subsystem 4 - Serial number: 6361HSME0A124206-

   Subsystem 5 - Serial number: 63727SME0A02571D+

   Subsystem 6 - Serial number: 63827SME0A064D50%

No fault code found.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 16: Steering wheel        Labels: 1K0-953-549-MY8.lbl
   Part No SW: 1K0 953 549 AR    HW: 1K0 953 549 AR
   Component: J0527           035 0070  
   Coding: 0000021
   Shop #: WSC 00066 000 00000
   VCID: 020BA55F5D6E3652A2-8056

No fault code found.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 17: Instruments        Labels: 1K0-920-xxx-17.lbl
   Part No SW: 1K0 920 853 K    HW: 1K0 920 853 K
   Component: KOMBIINSTRUMENT 3HL 1610  
   Revision: V0003000    Serial number: VWZ7Z0F4255044
   Coding: 0023303
   Shop #: WSC 95855 999 58414
   VCID: 326B359FAD4E46D272-8066

No fault code found.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 19: CAN Gateway        Labels: 1K0-907-530-V2.clb
   Part No SW: 1K0 907 530 H    HW: 1K0 907 951 
   Component: J533__Gateway   H12 0150  
   Revision:   H12       Serial number: 31001065160765
   Coding: 3D3F0B4007001002
   Shop #: WSC 00066 000 00000
   VCID: 2C572BE78F6A102238-8078

No fault code found.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 25: Immobilizer        Labels: 1K0-920-xxx-25.clb
   Part No SW: 1K0 920 853 K    HW: 1K0 920 853 K
   Component: IMMO            3HL 1610  
   Revision: V0003000    Serial number: VWZ7Z0F4255044
   Shop #: WSC 00000 000 00000
   VCID: 326B359FAD4E46D272-8066

No fault code found.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 42: Door Elect, Driver        Labels: 1K0-959-701-MIN3.lbl
   Part No SW: 1K0 959 701 P    HW: 1K0 959 793 L
   Component: J386  TUER-SG FT    1125  
   Revision: 12006001    Serial number: 00000089468619
   Coding: 0001205
   Shop #: WSC 00066 000 00000
   VCID: 3B7518BB7A04879AA1-806E

No fault code found.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 44: Steering Assist        Labels: 1Kx-909-14x-44.clb
   Part No: 1K1 909 144 L
   Component: EPS_ZFLS Kl.069 H07 1806  
   Shop #: WSC 00066 000 00000
   VCID: 34673387575A48E260-8060

No fault code found.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 46: Central Conv.        Labels: 1K0-959-433-MAX.clb
   Part No SW: 1K0 959 433 CA    HW: 1K0 959 433 CA
   Component:    KSG PQ35 G2  020 0202  
   Revision: 00020000    Serial number: 00000000000000
   Coding: 13900F880106281B0904058FB0880F0488FCA0
   Shop #: WSC 00066 000 00000
   VCID: 71E9FA9368C83DCA4B-8024

   Subsystem 1 - Component:   Sounder n.mounted     

   Subsystem 2 - Component:       NGS n.mounted     

   Subsystem 3 - Component:      IRUE n.mounted     

No fault code found.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 52: Door Elect, Pass.        Labels: 1K0-959-702-MIN3.lbl
   Part No SW: 1K0 959 702 P    HW: 1K0 959 792 L
   Component: J387  TUER-SG BT    1125  
   Revision: 12006001    Serial number: 00000658168618
   Coding: 0001204
   Shop #: WSC 00066 000 00000
   VCID: 3C771BA77F0A80A2A8-8068

No fault code found.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 56: Radio        Labels: 1K0-035-161.lbl
   Part No SW: 1K0 035 161 B    HW: 1K0 035 161 B
   Component: Radio DE2       014 0016  
   Revision: 00014000    Serial number: VWZ4Z7F6148617
   Coding: 0040401
   Shop #: WSC 00066 000 00000
   VCID: 1E33F12FC9D6F2B2A6-804A

No fault code found.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 62: Door, Rear Left        Labels: 1K0-959-703-GEN3.lbl
   Part No SW: 1K0 959 703 Q    HW: 1K0 959 795 J
   Component: J388   TUER-SG HL   1115  
   Revision: 12004001    Serial number: 00000000113811
   Coding: 0001168
   Shop #: WSC 00066 000 00000
   VCID: 3E7311AF691692B286-806A

No fault code found.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 72: Door, Rear Right        Labels: 1K0-959-704-GEN3.lbl
   Part No SW: 1K0 959 704 Q    HW: 1K0 959 794 J
   Component: J389   TUER-SG HR   1115  
   Revision: 12004001    Serial number: 00000000137040
   Coding: 0001168
   Shop #: WSC 00066 000 00000
   VCID: 3F8D6CAB6E1C9BBA8D-806A

No fault code found.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 7D: Aux. Heat        Labels: 1K0-963-235.lbl
   Part No SW: 1K0 963 235 E    HW: 1K0 963 235 E
   Component: PTC-Element         0404  
   Revision: 00800000    Serial number:               
   Shop #: WSC 00000 000 00000
   VCID: 2D5126E3B470192A2F-8078

No fault code found.

End-------------------------(Elapsed Time: 01:53)--------------------------

 

[Zenerdiode]

I'm surprised at the Autobody Shop. As we all know, disconnect the battery negative before starting any electrical work on the vehicle. I wonder why they didn't. Thankfully they are warranting their work.

To answer your question though; it's difficult to know what may have been electrically weakened by the flash-over - that may only manifest itself later on. Personally, I'd insist the Airbag module is replaced - even though it didn't command the deployment. We don't know if any of the deployment stages were damaged.

 

[Rembrant]

I'm surprised at the Autobody Shop. As we all know, disconnect the battery negative before starting any electrical work on the vehicle. I wonder why they didn't. Thankfully they are warranting their work.

To answer your question though; it's difficult to know what may have been electrically weakened by the flash-over - that may only manifest itself later on. Personally, I'd insist the Airbag module is replaced - even though it didn't command the deployment. We don't know if any of the deployment stages were damaged.

Funny you mention that...about disconnecting the battery. That's why I did an Autoscan before taking it in...I knew that they would have to reset the codes somehow after disconnecting the battery, so I wanted the car to have a clean slate (as far as VCDS is concerned at least).

They confirmed that they're replacing:
Side curtain airbag
Airbag module
Headliner.

That should do it...I hope...

 

[Trade Member]

They could have used a memory savor in the 16 pin DTC socket with a slave battery, and been a bit more observant about what is round the repair area before torching it.

 

[Rembrant]

Yes I suppose so. These guys work on these cars all the time...it is not physically at the VW dealer, but the shop is owned by the dealer and while they do work on anything, they've been making a living on the VW corrosion warranty. I did have two other choices, but this place has a yard full of VW's all the time so I figured it my safest bet.

 

[Jack@European_Parts]

Not to be negative .........

Usually volume shops take short cuts because they're working on the cheap, hence cheap work and poor work ethics seem to follow, & as situation itself implies.

Document everything, get an idea of exactly where they welded through, to observe WD track cross overs or components in work area.

 

[Rembrant]

Not to be negative .........

Usually volume shops take short cuts because they're working on the cheap, hence cheap work and poor work ethics seem to follow, & as situation itself implies.

Document everything, get an idea of exactly where they welded through, to observe WD track cross overs or components in work area.

Negative is realistic Jack, it's OK.

The shop is replacing both left and right side panels...thats full rocker panel and quarter panel all in one sheet. They make the cut/seam about half way up the c-pillar. So, knowing this, there is lots of welding to be done. They are taking 5 weeks to do the job, so I'd like to think they're not taking too many shortcuts...lol.

Anyway, my next plan was to find out where the wiring is...I have no idea at this point. I know they deployed the passenger side curtain airbag. I assume this unit is mounted in the ceiling as they tell me they have to now replace the headliner.

I suppose it is possible that the mig welder did provide the power to light the airbag, even if the battery was disconnected properly? Assuming the MIG wire melted through a wire.

My only real concern is future issues as a result of this.

 

[NZDubNurd]

They are taking 5 weeks to do the job

Maybe you should have been given a new car, under the corrosion warranty!

 

[Rembrant]

Maybe you should have been given a new car, under the corrosion warranty!

Actually, VW could have bought the car from me and saved money...lol. They could have given me a couple grand more than I paid for it and it would still be a couple grand less than they're paying to fix it. (and that was before the current fiasco)

 

[DV52]

Actually, VW could have bought the car from me and saved money...lol. They could have given me a couple grand more than I paid for it and it would still be a couple grand less than they're paying to fix it. (and that was before the current fiasco)

Rembrant: I've read your previous posts, so I'm sure that your are a knowledgeable practitioner in many aspects of VAG stuff! But I had a similar experience many years ago with an Aussie brand vehicle (it was a time when we actually made cars!)- it was entirely my fault (I'm a lousy welder and I didn't take the correct precautions). Result- a fried control module which I duly replaced and everything was OK (at least- that's what I thought). For a long time after, I was continually chasing weird and exotic faults in various parts of the car that I suspected was caused by my welding misdemeanor. Never was able to prove the connection between the welding incidence and the stream of odd errors, but my suspicion was that the cause was the dreaded "frequency impedance" of various electrical components in the car and their susceptibility to the fast rise-time of the welding arc voltage. Clearly the chassis on your car is of an entirely different pedigree to my old Aussie "clunker", and I certainly hope that my experience is not replicated, but just something to be aware-of!

Don

 

[Rembrant]

I certainly hope that my experience is not replicated, but just something to be aware-of!

Don

Well, future problems are what I was concerned about most...which is why I asked.

I am however a hopeless optimist, so I'll assume all will be OK for now...lol.

We'll see what the future brings.

The A5 BRM Jetta has a few electrical bugs of it's own, even when you don't weld on them.

 

[Trade Member]

Well, future problems are what I was concerned about most...which is why I asked.


The A5 BRM Jetta has a few electrical bugs of it's own, even when you don't weld on them.

Bring back the good old points and condensors, you can't fry them with your welders

 

[DV52]

Bring back the good old points and condensors, you can't fry them with your welders

Trade member: I agree - but it's called "progress"!

I never got over the loss of the hole in the center grill where the driver was able to insert a handle to crank the engine (remember when engines were north-south?)! Probably lots of folk here who don't know what I'm talking about!!

Don

 

[Boki Ar]

Some good, some bad... In this sense... I can't better translate...

Is not it?

 

[Trade Member]

Trade member: I agree - but it's called "progress"!

I never got over the loss of the hole in the center grill where the driver was able to insert a handle to crank the engine (remember when engines were north-south?)! Probably lots of folk here who don't know what I'm talking about!!

Don

Don't see many of those anymore, somebody technically decided that the FWD transverse had better advantages, however there are advantages and disadvantages in everything, its a balance of probability or something like that

 

[Boki Ar]

Like this...

 

[Uwe]

Bring back the good old points and condensors, you can't fry them with your welders

During my misspent youth, I had one car with a breaker-point and condensor ignition system. It might be resistant to welder-inducer damage, but it was a blood PITA. Those breaker points needed adjustment, filing, and replacement WAY too often. So no thanks!

 

[Jack@European_Parts]

During my misspent youth, I had one car with a breaker-point and condensor ignition system. It might be resistant to welder-inducer damage, but it was a blood PITA. Those breaker points needed adjustment, filing, and replacement WAY too often. So no thanks!

Magnetos were the best and no battery needed..........points lasted a long time in a proper MAG and could even run redundant duals like in planes.

 

[NZDubNurd]

I never got over the loss of the hole in the center grill where the driver was able to insert a handle to crank the engine (remember when engines were north-south?)! Probably lots of folk here who don't know what I'm talking about!!

I'm 38, and have experiece with that stuff:

I'm dailying the Beetle right now (it has electronic ignition now, though), the BMW is pretty much the same as the Touran (although the parts are a lot cheaper!) and the Ford ('29 A)... Well, we've crank started that ONCE, very easily: while trying to rotate the engine to the start of a compression cycle, it started up and ran

 

[Trade Member]

Like this...

Looks like he was struggling a bit there, good job he didn't have to look for a decompression chamber lever as well while cranking engine