Airbag Sensor - low battery etc

[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.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[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

 

[Deadloss]

We drove our 2016 Fiat based motorhome for a good month or so after the airbag module had been removed (couldn't be reset, so had to wait for a new now) with no problems. Just had to accept the risk that in the event of an accident the airbags wouldn't deploy.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[PhilandMena]

Looks like I too have become a new member to the failed airbug module. (It seems to be a nationwide wide issue). Crash Data are unable repair mine (2011 Ducato) but can send me a new one (£400+) which I then have to find someone else to code in once fitted and this has proved almost impossible in the midlands. Seems my best option is my local Fiat dealer. £615.0 all in. At least I'm dealing with just one outfit to resolve this problem. Ouch !

 

[Landy Andy]

Or find a vehicle mapper and get them to remove it from the system. £150-£200

 

[unclestinky]

Or find a vehicle mapper and get them to remove it from the system. £150-£200

It is strange that on the Fiat professional website it says the van battery can be disconnected to prevent discharge and will cause no problems..

 

[unclestinky]

It is strange that on the Fiat professional website it says the van battery can be disconnected to prevent discharge and will cause no problems..

 

[gus-lopez]

View attachment 970651

Disconnecting the battery is not the problem.It is the battery voltage dropping that allegedly causes the problem. If you do disconnect you just need to make sure that when you reconnect it is fully charged

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Landy Andy]

I’m interested to know it autos/comformatics suffer more with airbag ecu failure. Anybody know?

 

[the1andonly]

Looks like I too have become a new member to the failed airbug module. (It seems to be a nationwide wide issue). Crash Data are unable repair mine (2011 Ducato) but can send me a new one (£400+) which I then have to find someone else to code in once fitted and this has proved almost impossible in the midlands. Seems my best option is my local Fiat dealer. £615.0 all in. At least I'm dealing with just one outfit to resolve this problem. Ouch !

All you really need with a New airbag ecu is Multiecuscan to do a Proxi scan. if you look on the fiat forum

MultiECUScan Register

Do you own a copy of MES and want to help out fellow forum members? Add your details here so you can be found :)

www.fiatforum.com

there are three people in Northamptonshire that could help. One in Thrapston, Daventry and Northampton (Me).
So if you want to save £200 PM me and check the price of a new one with Coastal Motor homes they are popular on FF so probably not too expensive. £350? you will need the part number and age of the existing ecu there maybe a newer replacement.

Backup Proxi file on MES

This is repeat of an old post on how to create a backup of the MES proxi file

www.fiatforum.com

New proxi alignment with Multiecuscan

To create a new proxi file (once you have changed things that need a proxi alignment). For example changing an airbag module. Prior to any proxi alignment it is advisable to create a backup first. See guide...

www.fiatforum.com

PS check the author of the guides.

 

[the1andonly]

I’m interested to know it autos/comformatics suffer more with airbag ecu failure. Anybody know?

Ive stopped colating this data back in 22 and comformatic status was not generaly offered or saved. The most significant was registration (manufacturing) date.

 

[Two on Tour]

Just as a note, the guy from the company in Norwich that cloned my airbag ECU told me that the airbag Proxy Alignment can be done on a Peugeot Boxer with a Multiecuscan as the airbag ECU's are a Fiat Ducato part.

 

[PhilandMena]

All you really need with a New airbag ecu is Multiecuscan to do a Proxi scan. if you look on the fiat forum

MultiECUScan Register

Do you own a copy of MES and want to help out fellow forum members? Add your details here so you can be found :)

www.fiatforum.com

there are three people in Northamptonshire that could help. One in Thrapston, Daventry and Northampton (Me).
So if you want to save £200 PM me and check the price of a new one with Coastal Motor homes they are popular on FF so probably not too expensive. £350? you will need the part number and age of the existing ecu there maybe a newer replacement.

Backup Proxi file on MES

This is repeat of an old post on how to create a backup of the MES proxi file

www.fiatforum.com

New proxi alignment with Multiecuscan

To create a new proxi file (once you have changed things that need a proxi alignment). For example changing an airbag module. Prior to any proxi alignment it is advisable to create a backup first. See guide...

www.fiatforum.com

PS check the author of the guides.

Thanks for this, the cost of the ecu is more or less the same price as the one offered by by crash data. I may be able to get it coded in by the method you quoted but that would cost money and mean me taking my motorhome to another person/ garage. That would mean two different organisations to complete one repair. I'll stick with Fiat. I get 2 years waranty on the parts and I'm dealing with just one garage.