Airbag controller fault

[Nick Jones]

While working through outstanding issues with my "new" A8 I have arrived at the airbag system.....

The warning light does not come on at any point (poss. bulb out). Presumably to bypass the MoT.

The fault code list is fairly extensive:
1025 (diagnostic light malfunction)
00588 (Drivers airbag ignitor resistance too high - intermittent)
00532 (supply voltage too low)
00654 (Drivers seatbelt pre-tensioner ignitor resistance too high - intermittent)
0065535 (ECU knackered)

Codes cannot be cleared.

So probably it is either that the multiplug is half unlatched and corroded (like most on this car it seems) or the ECU really is knackered.......

I gather that the ECU lives under the climate control unit and radio (which is a bugger to remove) so it seems that some dashboard disembowelling is in my future...... (deep joy) and most probably the need to find another ECU. I note that the ECU used in A4s seems to have the same part no - is this really true?! At least I can change the climate control back light bulbs while I'm in there!

Car is March '96 registered 4.2 Quattro Sport btw.

Cheers

Nick