VW Tiguan Dashboard Warning Messages – The Ultimate Guide

It can be incredibly frustrating to start your engine only to be greeted by a warning message on your dashboard. When these warning lights appear, they indicate that there may be an issue or malfunction in a specific system or component of the vehicle. The exact meaning and significance of each warning light can vary depending on the make, model and year of your vehicle, so you should consult your owner’s manual or speak to a reputable garage such as Fitch Autos, for further assistance. Do not ignore these warning lights!

Recently, a customer brought their VW Tiguan to Fitch Autos with a  range of warning lights, flagging problems that needed attention right away. The warning lights were indicating a host of issues, including airbag issues and several steering wheel control faults. 

Thankfully, our team of VW experts have the necessary experience, skills, and technical expertise to address and resolve any VW faults. The VW Tiguan was in safe hands as the team were confident they were able to provide an effective and reliable solution for this vehicle’s issues.

What We Found

As soon as the VW Tiguan was started, the dashboard was immediately filled with a series of faults, pointing to various potential issues.

One warning message prominently displayed “Front Assist Unavailable,” while another indicated a fault with the airbag system. It was lucky that the owner chose to bring their Tiguan to us at that time, as the vehicle had become unfit for road use, posing a significant safety risk to not only themselves but other road users.

To add to these problems, the VW Tiguan was also experiencing issues with a disabled horn and no steering wheel controls – the radio, dashboard, and assist systems.

Fortunately, our team of VW specialists have seen these problems in the past and have the necessary expertise to address them. 

Next, a thorough inspection was required to identify the underlying causes of these faults. Our highly skilled technician was able to visually verify the faults, meaning they could then start to explore ways in which these issues needed to be fixed.

At Fitch Autos we have access to the same technical information as the VW dealership, that’s why we’re the top trusted local independent VW specialist. We deliver superior servicing and value compared to any local dealership.

The Diagnosis

Prior to consulting the VW bulletins and technical information, our team of VW experts conducted a comprehensive diagnostic test to gather more information.

During the diagnostic process, the following fault codes were retrieved:

• B1000 – 1B Igniter for Drivers airbag – Resistance too high
• U108E – Controls in the steering wheel – No communications

For our technicians, these fault codes work as valuable indicators, guiding the team in the right direction to resolve any issues.

The most concerning matter here was the malfunctioning airbag. If our client were to experience a head-on collision, the absence of a functioning airbag could have severe consequences, potentially even fatal.

Our VW experts needed to identify the root cause of each fault, so we could safely and effectively solve this Tiguan’s issues.

At Fitch Autos, we adhere to a comprehensive 15-step diagnostic process, which allows us to address all issues during the initial visit. This approach saves you time, eliminates unnecessary stress, and minimises expenses by avoiding repeat repairs.

With the fault codes now confirmed, our VW expert was able to start to look at each problem in more detail. 

Referring to the VW technical information, no relevant technical bulletins were available, meaning the technician needed to collect live readings directly from the vehicle. During the testing, our mechanic could see that no data was being displayed for the steering control buttons, and an “open circuit” indication – signifying a potential wiring issue – was detected in the airbag igniter.

Further diagnostic work showed an issue with the steering column control unit, where the steering wheel controls and airbag systems share a common wiring pathway. Upon closer inspection, our experts confirmed that both wires passed through a damaged ribbon section – this is a flat, flexible cable that contains multiple conductive pathways used to transmit signals between different parts of the vehicle’s electrical system.

Fixing the VW Tiguan

After our specialists successfully identified the problem responsible for the fault codes, we contacted our client to discuss our findings and provide recommendations for the necessary fixes.

At Fitch Autos, we prioritise keeping you informed and involved throughout the entire process. We will only carry out any repairs on your vehicle once you give us the green light.

The client agreed to our recommendations, and so our VW experts proceeded with repairing the fault as discussed.

To address the damaged wiring, it was necessary to acquire a replacement electronics control unit specifically designed for the steering column. Our technicians sourced a genuine VW replacement and prepared it for installation on the Tiguan.

As VW specialists, we exclusively use genuine VW parts or high-quality equivalents for all repairs, servicing, and maintenance. Your vehicle always receives the level of quality it deserves to ensure it continues running smoothly.

Installing and reprogramming a steering column control unit is not a straightforward task; it requires expertise and precision. Fortunately, our VW experts have the skills and technical knowledge to perform the installation and recoding process flawlessly, successfully resolving the VW Tiguan’s issues.

Once the work was completed, the Tiguan was road tested to ensure everything was now working as it should. A final diagnostic test was conducted to confirm there were no further fault codes.

With the VW Tiguan fully repaired, our client safely drove away in the knowledge that their vehicle was once again roadworthy.

Our technicians achieved a reliable  first-time fix for the VW Tiguan’s issues, delivering superior value compared to the main VW dealership.

What more could you ask for?

Summary

A client recently came to Fitch Autos with their VW Tiguan, as they were experiencing multiple warning messages on the dashboard, relating to the airbag and faults with the steering wheel control system.

Fortunately, our team of VW specialists was ready to assist.

Through a comprehensive inspection using our 15-step diagnostic process and the VW technical information, we identified a problem with the steering column control unit.

The internal wiring circuit within the unit was found to be broken and required replacement.

Our VW experts promptly sourced, installed, and reprogrammed a new control unit, completing the process more efficiently than the main VW dealership.

The VW Tiguan was returned to our client, running good as new.

If your VW is displaying warning messages on the dashboard, don’t hesitate to contact our VW specialists at Fitch Autos for a reliable resolution.

Give us a call at 01543 401252 and schedule your VW inspection today.

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