ADT Safety Systems & Standards 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When diagnosing an Audi side curtain airbag fault, which component failure would MOST likely cause a single-side deployment failure while the opposite side deploys normally?
- Faulty airbag control module
- Damaged crash sensor on the affected side
- Open circuit in the squib wire for that specific curtain airbag (Correct answer)
- Failed central clock spring
Correct answer: Open circuit in the squib wire for that specific curtain airbag
An open circuit in the squib (igniter) wire for a specific curtain airbag will prevent that unit from deploying while leaving the control module and opposite side unaffected.
Question 2: What is the primary safety concern when using a battery charger on an Audi with the airbag system connected?
- Overcharging may erase airbag fault codes
- Voltage spikes from the charger could trigger inadvertent airbag deployment (Correct answer)
- The charger will drain the SRS backup capacitor
- Battery charging is prohibited on vehicles with airbags
Correct answer: Voltage spikes from the charger could trigger inadvertent airbag deployment
Voltage spikes or surges from a battery charger can potentially trigger the SRS system to deploy airbags; always use a smart charger with surge protection on SRS-equipped vehicles.
Question 3: Which Audi safety feature automatically tightens seatbelts and closes windows/sunroof when a rollover is detected?
- Audi pre-sense side
- Audi pre-sense city
- Audi pre-sense 360
- Audi pre-sense plus (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Audi pre-sense plus
Audi pre-sense plus responds to rollover threats by reversibly tensioning seatbelts and closing windows and the sunroof to protect occupants before a rollover event.
Question 4: In the context of Audi ESC (Electronic Stability Control), what does FMVSS 126 require regarding ESC system failure?
- The vehicle must enter limp-home mode and limit speed to 25 mph
- A telltale warning lamp must illuminate to alert the driver (Correct answer)
- The ESC system must remain active even when the warning lamp is on
- The braking system must automatically compensate for the ESC failure
Correct answer: A telltale warning lamp must illuminate to alert the driver
FMVSS 126 requires that when an ESC malfunction is detected, a dedicated ESC malfunction telltale must illuminate to alert the driver of the system fault.
Question 5: A technician discovers an Audi has a deployed side airbag but no crash data stored in the airbag control module. What is the MOST likely explanation?
- The airbag was manually deployed during servicing
- The control module was replaced after the crash event (Correct answer)
- The vehicle experienced a low-speed impact below the deployment threshold
- The airbag deployed due to a manufacturing defect
Correct answer: The control module was replaced after the crash event
If the control module was replaced after a crash, it will not contain the crash event data because that data was stored in the original module.
Question 6: What is the correct method to dispose of an undeployed Audi airbag module that is being removed from a salvage vehicle?
- Place it in standard metal recycling
- Deploy it in a controlled manner following manufacturer guidelines before disposal (Correct answer)
- Bury it in a landfill as automotive waste
- Ship it directly to any parts recycler without additional steps
Correct answer: Deploy it in a controlled manner following manufacturer guidelines before disposal
Undeployed airbag modules contain explosive charges and must be deployed in a controlled manner following OEM procedures before being disposed of as inert hazardous waste.
Question 7: When torquing the steering wheel center bolt after clock spring replacement on an Audi, why is following the exact OEM torque specification critical for safety?
- Incorrect torque causes premature clock spring wear
- Under-torquing can allow the steering wheel to detach at speed, creating a loss-of-control hazard (Correct answer)
- Over-torquing destroys the airbag circuit in the clock spring
- Torque specification affects the airbag deployment threshold calibration
Correct answer: Under-torquing can allow the steering wheel to detach at speed, creating a loss-of-control hazard
If the steering wheel center bolt is under-torqued, the steering wheel can loosen and potentially separate from the shaft during vehicle operation, creating a critical safety hazard.
ADT Safety Systems & Standards 3
When diagnosing an Audi side curtain airbag fault, which component failure would MOST likely cause a single-side deployment failure while the opposite side deploys normally?