2000 beetle driver side airbag resistance too low - cluster airbag light

[turbobugger]

My Vag com is giving me an AIRBAG error code
My airbag light is lite up on my cluster

here is the code I get from Vagcom

Control Module Part Number: 6Q0 909 605 A
Component and/or Version: 06 AIRBAG VW5 0004
Software Coding: 12342
Work Shop Code: WSC 00066
1 Fault Found:
00588 - Airbag Igniter: Driver Side (N95)
33-00 - Resistance too Low


Does this mean my driver side airbag is bad? Unplugged? maybe a fuse? does anyone know where the fuse is? The bag has never been deployed and it looks original. So does the passenger side. this beetle has never been in a crash.

[D2Beetle]

I'm not certain how helpful this will be, but I did a search for 00588 in my online Bentley and there were two results; one was a Technical Bulletin...

Technical Bulletin - 01-00-02 Driver's Side Airbag, On Board Diagnostic (OBD) (Apr. 24, 2000) an 18 Page PDF (vw.tb.01-00-02.pdf) that gives you additional diagnostic instructions to determine the problem(s).

...and this commentary regarding the VW Helpline; which says...

"TT 69-99-11 A-4 Jetta and Golf, Drivers Side Air Bag Fault 00588, If you encounter fault 00588 drivers side air bag resistance to small on a A-4 Jetta or Golf, check the yellow connector on the bottom side of the spiral spring for proper contact/connection prior to replacing any components."

[Beetlemania]

I've had the wire under my passenger seat come loose. The connector is still plugged in, but sometimes after I've folded the seat forward it pulls the wire from the contact, I guess. I turn off the car, remove the key, and feel just about in the center under the seat for the wires plugging into a harness. If you push the wires upward (toward the seat bottom) it should do the trick. You'll probably have to re-VAG it and if the message switches to intermittent clear it and you should be good.

I hope this is the same issue you're having and that it works out!