207cc airbag mystery

[freddyokel]

I have a 207cc with an intermittent airbag fault.
The fault is E602, and it's obvious from the live data (see enclosed graph) that this is a high resistance on the 'Level 2' side.
So, I remove the airbag to check/clean the connectors as first port of call.
Removing the airbag gets weird. (see enclosed photos).
This car is a 2008 vehicle and the connections to the steering wheel airbag are 2x 2 pin connectors, one yellow, one green.
These are both floating round under the airbag and not connected to anything, and yet they show readings in DiagBox.
Connecting them to an airbag simulator doesn't change the values but it will clear the fault if plugged into the green connector.
The airbag I've just removed is a 2010 airbag with the single purple connector (not connected to anything).
Now I'm wondering what on earth a previous owner has done to this car and why the steering wheel airbag is showing as connected when it isn't.
Neither of the impact sensors in the BSI is showing as ever being triggered.

[freddyokel]

Well, well, well.
Mystery solved...
Somebody previous to me has been very, very naughty.
Resistors placed across the input feeds to the COM2005 so the car thinks it has an airbag when it doesn't.
Pretty sure that's illegal...

[wheeler]

Oh Dear, Most likley the rotary connection inside the comms unit has failed & someone has 'fixed' it on the cheap.

[myglaren]

[freddyokel]

Oh Dear, Most likley the rotary connection inside the comms unit has failed & someone has 'fixed' it on the cheap.

Still doesn't explain the disconnected single stage 2010 airbag that was in there.
Next step is to remove this 'upgrade' and check it out with the airbag simulators.

[wheeler]

At least you have gained 2 new airbag simulators

Its not unusual to have both connectors on the com2000 unit even if the airbag is only single stage, if the vehicle only has a single stage igniter the spare plug for the 2nd igniter is normally just clipped into a dummy bit on the airbag.

[freddyokel]

Right... I think I have a fix.
After removing the bodge, the thing works flawlessly with airbag simulators in, but throws an error on the 2nd igniter when you attach a dual stage airbag.
But... it does occasionally show ok briefly when you wiggle the cable.
So, it's the 2nd igniter feed at the end of the clock spring then.
So... and I think this is a legit repair.
I've reconnected the single stage 2010 airbag I have to the first stage wiring (as it fits) and told the car it's doesn't have a level 2 igniter in DiagBox.
No bodge resistors, airbag fitted with functional path to the ECU, car happy.