Airbag Sensor - low battery etc (29 Viewers)

[BCHOME]

Hi all - Reading the threads here it's not uncommon for a Fiat Ducato van to get an airbag sensor fault potentially caused by a low (ish) battery having sat in storage for a while. I'm thinking of going the reprogramming route via Crash Data and replacing the battery which is just over 4 years old.

1. Is it safe to reconnect the battery while the airbag module is with Crash Data to allow the alarm systems and central locking to be active?

2. At almost the same time as the airbag issue, I've a second warning light - engine light (amber/yellow) with the stop/start failed. From reading here, this could be the exhaust gas sensor I believe? Is this coincidence (2nd fault) or could the airbag error impact other systems?

3. I've got a Veepeak OBD2 scanner but have been unable to get it to connect to the engine ECU so I've not been able to validate the above errors. I've tried several different software apps on the phone (iOS and Android) without any luck. Software connects to Veepeak, but Veepeak won't connect to the engine. I've got a 2020 Ducato 290 with 9 seed auto.

Sorry about all the questions - any thoughts appreciated.

 

[Langtoftlad]

When I had a similar problem, my research suggested that yes you could reconnect the battery but it might cause further problems with other sensors.
Given Crashdata's turnaround time, I don't think I'd risk it.

I was lucky, when my engine battery was replaced, the fault code was cleared by a man with a laptop.

Because my engine battery was completely goosed, I also had other amber warnings - no power steering was one IIRC - but I cleared these using the on off x3 trick

 

[BCHOME]

When I had a similar problem, my research suggested that yes you could reconnect the battery but it might cause further problems with other sensors.
Given Crashdata's turnaround time, I don't think I'd risk it.

I was lucky, when my engine battery was replaced, the fault code was cleared by a man with a laptop.

Because my engine battery was completely goosed, I also had other amber warnings - no power steering was one IIRC - but I cleared these using the on off x3 trick

Thanks. The "on off x3" trick?

 

[Langtoftlad]

Thanks. The "on off x3" trick?

"Turn the key to position A (don't start) for 2 seconds, then off for 2 seconds and repeat 3 or 4 times - this creates a reset / recheck and if OK will clear the light...."

https://www.motorhomefun.co.uk/forum/threads/morning-funsters.42763/page-14972
Post #449,155

 

[Ray-Vic]

Hi all - Reading the threads here it's not uncommon for a Fiat Ducato van to get an airbag sensor fault potentially caused by a low (ish) battery having sat in storage for a while. I'm thinking of going the reprogramming route via Crash Data and replacing the battery which is just over 4 years old.

1. Is it safe to reconnect the battery while the airbag module is with Crash Data to allow the alarm systems and central locking to be active?

2. At almost the same time as the airbag issue, I've a second warning light - engine light (amber/yellow) with the stop/start failed. From reading here, this could be the exhaust gas sensor I believe? Is this coincidence (2nd fault) or could the airbag error impact other systems?

3. I've got a Veepeak OBD2 scanner but have been unable to get it to connect to the engine ECU so I've not been able to validate the above errors. I've tried several different software apps on the phone (iOS and Android) without any luck. Software connects to Veepeak, but Veepeak won't connect to the engine. I've got a 2020 Ducato 290 with 9 seed auto.

Sorry about all the questions - any thoughts appreciated.

You can re-connect your battery with no issues. I did this recently as my van is in storage and, like you, I didn't want to leave it with no alarm etc.

Following my recent experience, and chat with the technician at my local Fiat Specialist, I wouldn't use a repair service full stop in the future but if this is your preferred route then Northern Autotech seem to have far more positive reviews than Crashdata, so maybe look at them as a comparison.

I think these modules, particularly the older ones, can fail at any time. I don't doubt that a low battery may be one of the causes, but mine was on EHU with a perfect battery when it failed, and I have checked the battery a number of times since and there are absolutely no issues with it.

Hope you get it sorted quickly either way.

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[Langtoftlad]

You can re-connect your battery with no issues. I did this recently as my van is in storage and, like you, I didn't want to leave it with no alarm etc.

My caution was with reconnection and using the vehicle.

 

[Ray-Vic]

My caution was with reconnection and using the vehicle.

Yes I agree, it probably isn't a smart move to drive with it disconnected as you would have no air bags, but then you wouldn't have them with the light on anyway. I understood the question to be just re-connecting the battery for the alarm and locking whilst the module is away, which is fine.

 

[Two on Tour]

My airbag ECU failed last week as I turned on the ignition to set off for the vans MOT.

Having read the many threads about airbag ECu's failing in a short time after they had been to Crash Data, I instead bought a new airbag ECU and sent the old ecu and the new ECU off to a company in Norwich called ECU Connection who have cloned the data from my old failed airbag ECU to the new airbag ECU, plus they also found that my old ECU failed because a module file had become corrupted which they cleared, so I now have two working airbag ECU's.

With regard to reconnecting your starter battery while your ECU is away for repair, I looked into this as I wanted to set the alarm while my ECU's were away and found that it's okay as long as you do not turn the ignition on, as turning the ignition on will bring on fault codes as the airbag ECU is not present.

 

[BCHOME]

My caution was with reconnection and using the vehicle.

Great - Thanks for clarifying