Airbag fault

[Chris RJ]

Hello Everyone like a bit of advice pls. My Fiat Carthago air bag light has come on, less then 6 mouths ago I changed the model from crash data . the battery has been kept in good condition plugged into the electric when at home also the solar cell keeps all batteries up, and we have used the M/H as well quite a bit, started it up today and it come up with the airbag light on again what do you think I should do now Chris

 

[FrankNicklin]

Deleted

 

[MichaelT]

Crash data are renowned for crap service and failure so get a new one fitted by fiat professional will be about £380 but 2 year warranty and newer module.

 

[Speve]

Chris RJ I have just replaced mine with a new ECU from Fiat as there are lots of stories on the forum of folk having them repaired at £150 plus and they fail after a few months.
so opted for new with a guarantee. Fiat charged £510 including fitting.

 

[tonka]

When mine went, i read all the threads on here and on other forums.
Decided that the crash data route was not for me as it seemed very 50/50 and just like you have now they seemed to fail again later.

New unit and DIY fitted, local garage did the proxy alignment.

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[SpeedyDux]

My Crashdata reprogrammed ECU seems OK, coming up to 3 years now.

The key to this airbag ECU failure appears to be - how strong your old starter battery is during cranking. Even if the engine does seem to start fairly easily, during the process there can be a big dip in the starter battery voltage. Momentarily I saw mine drop to about 8 volts from 12.6. The alternator probably overcompensates for the voltage drop, causing a voltage spike immediately after the engine fires up. How else can we explain the high voltage fault code (which can't be directly due to the starter battery). My theory anyway. Other explanations may be available including wiring faults under the seat.

 

[Lenny HB]

My Fiat Carthago air bag light has come on, less then 6 mouths ago I changed the model from crash data

You were lucky mine lasted 10 days, robbing bar*teds.

Go to a Fiat professional, expensive but you will get the latest version and a 2 year warranty.

 

[Phill D]

less then 6 mouths ago I changed the model from crash data

Was it a repair or a new replacement.

If new it should carry a warranty.

 

[LithiumConvert]

Crashdata are renowned for crap service and failure so get a new one fitted by fiat professional will be about £380 but 2 year warranty and newer module.

I think that is unfair. Some units will reset - some will not (particularly with a pre-loved 'van that might have already been fixed by previous owner)

My advice is try Crashdata once - the cheapest and quickest option.

And if the unit fails again buy a new one. I had a new one (from Coastal Motorhomes) re-programmed by Crashdata. (next cheapest option). It was still working when when I changed the 'van for other reasons - I wanted an automatic.

Of course, Fiat Professional should be the best option (as they are for most things) - but more expensive and could take the longest depending on how long you have to wait in the queue for an appointment (some areas worse than others).

But, whichever option you go for, it is essential that you fix the underlying problem which caused the failure in the first place. (starter battery not holding a full charge). See important post from SpeedyDux above.

 

[MichaelT]

I think that is unfair. Some units will reset - some will not (particularly with a pre-loved 'van that might have already been fixed by previous owner)

My advice is try Crashdata once - the cheapest and quickest option.

And if the unit fails again buy a new one. I had a new one (from Coastal Motorhomes) re-programmed by Crashdata. (next cheapest option). It was still working when when I changed the 'van.

Of course, Fiat Professional should be the best option (as they are for most things) - but more expensive and could take the longest depending on how long you have to wait in the queue for an appointment (some areas worse than others).

But, whichever option you go for, it is essential that you fix the underlying problem which caused the failure in the first place. (starter battery not holding a full charge).

I got mine done December 2022 got an appointment within 2 days, waited a week for part then fitted so only about 10 days and £365 including diagnosis.

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[dosser]

Have a look at crashdata got a sale on just now on new modules. My light came on this morning so thinking about replacing it.
Kenny.

 

[Richard n Ann]

Have a look at crashdata got a sale on just now on new modules. My light came on this morning so thinking about replacing it.
Kenny.

View attachment 850825

What does new with an asterisk either side mean? New to them?

 

[Chris RJ]

Thanks you Guys I had to to it to my van down to Chelston M/H as it was booked in for other things, they are At Wellington and I ask if they had any in stock, they supplied it programmed it & fitted it for £439.85 including vat & Labour and like you say 2 years warranty many thanks. Chris