How to disable seatbelt warning in VW/Audi

Disabling the seatbelt warning in vw/audi is one of the easiest mods that can be written to your dashboard ECU with a car diagnostic tool.

So how can you turn the warning off? You can code it with one of the recommended OBD devices.

Step 1: Connect your OBD scanner

Locate your OBD2 port; it will be under the dashboard from the driver’s side for most VAG vehicles. Some older VW/Audi cars can have it in the center console, or they are hiding in the interior fusebox panel.

Step 2: Turn on the ignition

Don’t forget to turn ON the ignition without the engine running. The ignition always has to be ON when you code features. Make sure that you are not doing any coding procedures battery low on charge.

Step 3: Open the dashboard control unit (17)

Open the OBDeleven/VCDS, find the control modules list, and pick the dashboard/instruments control unit. It is labeled as the number “17” in all VAG vehicles. Open the long coding/adaptation in this control module.

Step 4: Use long coding/adaptation to disable the warning

This will depend on the car; there are a few ways to do this. One of two ways should work; either it will be the long coding or the adaptations. You need to change only one of them. I used long coding on my Volkswagen Jetta (2016), while the Audi A3 (2008) required a change in adaptations. One of these two will work.

Long coding: seatbelt chime

Dashboard (17) control unit
Long coding
Seatbelt warning
Change the value from “Yes” to “No.”

Adaptation: deactivate the seatbelt warning

Dashboard (17) control unit
Adaptations
Deactivate seatbelt warning
Change the value from “No” to “Yes.”

Disabling the seatbelt warning using an OBD scanner is safer than using a seatbelt silencer because it directly addresses the warning system without interfering with the seatbelt mechanism or the vehicle’s safety features.

A seatbelt silencer can trick the car into thinking the seatbelt is fastened when it isn’t, potentially disabling airbag deployment in a crash. In contrast, an OBD scanner simply disables the alert without impacting the actual functionality of the airbags or other safety systems, ensuring that critical safety features remain operational in the event of an accident.