2021-2024 Audi Q5 / SQ5 Airbag Warning Light TSB

Audi has released Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) 69 24 09 2072349/2 to address an issue causing the airbag warning light to illuminate in certain 2021-2024 Audi Q5 and SQ5 vehicles. This TSB supersedes a previous bulletin, 23-05, dated December 13, 2023, and was revised on May 7, 2024.

This bulletin provides crucial information for diagnosing and repairing the underlying cause of the illuminated airbag warning light, ensuring proper function of the airbag system.

Symptoms

Owners of affected vehicles will notice that "The airbag warning light is on" in their instrument cluster. This visual warning indicates a potential issue with the vehicle's supplemental restraint system.

Fault Codes / DTCs

When the airbag warning light is illuminated, technicians may find specific Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) stored in the airbag control module, identified as -J234- (address word 0015). These codes pinpoint the exact nature of the problem:

Code	Description
B100B1B	Driver thorax airbag igniter Resistance too high
B100A1B	Front passenger side airbag igniter Resistance too high

These DTCs confirm that there is an electrical resistance issue within the airbag igniter circuits.

Diagnosis / Trigger Conditions

The root cause of the Audi Q5 airbag warning light and associated DTCs B100A1B and B100B1B is a physical interference issue. The wire harness for the side/thorax airbag is routed too close to the seat foam. Over time, the seat foam presses on the wire harness, causing movement of the airbag connector. This movement leads to an increase in electrical resistance in the circuit, triggering the warning light and storing the fault codes.

Audi implemented an optimization in series production for Model Year 2024 vehicles to prevent this issue from occurring in newly manufactured cars.

Repair Procedure Summary

The repair outlined in TSB 69 24 09 2072349/2 involves replacing and rerouting the affected airbag wire harness. Technicians will follow a specific procedure:

1. The affected side/thorax airbag wire harness(es) will be replaced according to the detailed instructions found in the Elsa repair manual, specifically under the 'Thorax Airbag Wire, Removing and Installing' section.
2. The new thorax airbag wire harness(es) must be routed as close to the seat frame as possible. This is achieved by using a specific zip tie/clip, part number N10546701, to secure the harness (as shown in Figures 1 and 2 of the TSB).
3. After the new harness installation, all stored DTCs in the airbag control module, J234, will be deleted.
4. Finally, the fault memory of the airbag control module will be checked again to ensure that the DTCs B100A1B and B100B1B have not returned.

Required Parts and Tools

To perform this repair, specific parts and tools are necessary:

• Side airbag harness: Part number 80A 971 553 (one or two may be needed, depending on the affected side).
• Tie wrap: Part number N10546701 (one or two may be needed).
• Fasteners, Bolts, Nuts, and Screws: As needed, per the repair manual (check ETKA/ELSA).
• VAS Tester: VAS 6160 or VAS 6150, equipped with the current version of ODIS (Windows 10) diagnostic software.

What Owners Should Know

This repair is typically covered under Audi's New Vehicle Limited Warranty for up to 48 months or 50,000 miles. For Audi Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) vehicles, the repair may also be covered under claim type G10, subject to owner verification.

It is important to note that if your vehicle is outside of any applicable warranty, this Technical Service Bulletin serves as informational guidance only. In such cases, owners may be responsible for the cost of the repair. If you are experiencing an Audi Q5 airbag warning light, contact your authorized Audi dealer to schedule a diagnosis and repair.

Source: NHTSA ID 11002241