Fiat ducato air bag warning light is on…..AGAIN.

Camper634

Camper634

Joined
Dec 18, 2011
Posts
778
Likes collected
536
Location
Hull
Funster No
19,200
MH
Autotrail 634
Exp
Since 2006
For the 3rd time in less than 12 months the air bag warning light is back on the dash.The last time was 6 weeks ago when it cost me £88 with crashdata to have the module reprogrammed.I did ask the question then why has it gone again.One of the replies it could be high voltage when starting the engine.So every time since the last replacement i have turned the ignition to on and waited until the various lights went off before cranking the engine.This morning i only tuned the ignition on to check mu LPG levels and almost immediately the air bag light came on.
I am at a loss what to do next.I cant keep paying £88 God knows how many times.Has anyone please got/had this problem and found out a reliable fix?Any help greatly appreciated.
 
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bellabee said:
Graham's had a multi meter on the battery - resting without having been on ehu for the last 3 days 12.95, crank cycle 11.5 and idling 14.8.
Would a new battery be in order?
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They are all good , as said.
stevec said:
If I was keeping the van then I would do that. But I'm gambling on any repair lasting the 3 months until trade in. Yes it's a gamble!
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Don't plug it back in except for mot or trade-.in
 
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I have mentioned it on one of the other airbag ECU threads but this seems to be the original. I had a similar problem and sent mine to Northern Autotech who seemed to have sorted it at the moment. Interestingly the ECU appeared to have some corrosion faults which have been sorted and the whole unit cleaned and tested. They were very approachable and happy to discuss any queries. Total cost £90.00. The unit was inspected so wasn't just a sotware reset.

As an aside I have always waited for the dash lights to go out before starting and the battery has a trickle solar charge. The battery was the original so nearly 8 years old but appeared to be ok but now replaced with a YUASA YBX5019 after much hesitation, without frying anything, although I seem to have lost the ability to change the dash light intensity but gained auto central locking after you start - like a car, which was on the menu but didn’t work! I will post the error output I recieved.

I will wait and see how long it lasts and keep people posted, otherwise it will be a trip to Fiat.

Airbag ECU Faults.jpg
 
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clanjones said:
I have mentioned it on one of the other airbag ECU threads but this seems to be the original. I had a similar problem and sent mine to Northern Autotech who seemed to have sorted it at the moment. Interestingly the ECU appeared to have some corrosion faults which have been sorted and the whole unit cleaned and tested. They were very approachable and happy to discuss any queries. Total cost £90.00. The unit was inspected so wasn't just a sotware reset.

As an aside I have always waited for the dash lights to go out before starting and the battery has a trickle solar charge. The battery was the original so nearly 8 years old but appeared to be ok but now replaced with a YUASA YBX5019 after much hesitation, without frying anything, although I seem to have lost the ability to change the dash light intensity but gained auto central locking after you start - like a car, which was on the menu but didn’t work! I will post the error output I recieved.

I will wait and see how long it lasts and keep people posted, otherwise it will be a trip to Fiat.

View attachment 711801
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Look forward to seeing your findings.As i am the original poster of this thread I am desperate to get a definitive answer as to why these units randomly fail.It is incredible that we are left to foot the bill after continuous failings of the ECU.They are not a consumable part and should not be accepted as such.
 
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clanjones said:
I have mentioned it on one of the other airbag ECU threads but this seems to be the original. I had a similar problem and sent mine to Northern Autotech who seemed to have sorted it at the moment. Interestingly the ECU appeared to have some corrosion faults which have been sorted and the whole unit cleaned and tested. They were very approachable and happy to discuss any queries. Total cost £90.00. The unit was inspected so wasn't just a sotware reset.

As an aside I have always waited for the dash lights to go out before starting and the battery has a trickle solar charge. The battery was the original so nearly 8 years old but appeared to be ok but now replaced with a YUASA YBX5019 after much hesitation, without frying anything, although I seem to have lost the ability to change the dash light intensity but gained auto central locking after you start - like a car, which was on the menu but didn’t work! I will post the error output I recieved.

I will wait and see how long it lasts and keep people posted, otherwise it will be a trip to Fiat.

View attachment 711801
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I have just received my airbag écu back from Northern AUTOTECH with exactly the same sticker on it. Connected it up and still have the warning lights and odometer flashing. Just waiting for my obd cable to clear the codes (hopefully) and do a Proxi alignment with MES. Fingers crossed.

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I phoned the Fiat main dealers today and they want £144 just to do a diagnostic check. I may have to go in to get a price to change it regardless.
I was told recently by a mechanic I know that it is also worth checking the connections under the seat (having told him the seat belt light also came on for a while).
 
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The Rum Runners I had the odometer flashing and was really concerned that I would have to get a Proxy Alignment . However the airbag ECU unit was plugged in and hey presto all lights gone including the seat belt light (after plugging in the seat belt). Now, whether this was because I changed the battery before the Airbag ECU and this helped I don't know but I did have both the airbag and seatbelt lights on before repalcement.

Good luck with sorting it.
 
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I have just returned from Simpsons Motorhomes in Great Yarmouth (a Fiat Professional workshop). I told them I needed a new ECU and had already reserved one in their parts department. Spoke to the technician doing the work to explain that I had already had the ECU diagnosed. They charged me £365 all in. If I had bought the ECU (from Coastal) and Multiecuscan to proxi align it, it would have been the same price. So well pleased and a Fiat warranty.
 
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We have a Fiat based PVC bought abroad so LHD. So far no ECU issues. Would it be wise to get the new part when Adams Morey are doing service and MOT soon in case of issues on the road?
 
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davidroxburgh said:
Would it be wise to get the new part when Adams Morey are doing service and MOT soon in case of issues on the road?
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No point keeping one as spare unless you have it proxi align to your vehicle beforehand using a Multiecuscan, or have it done by whoever fits it if not fitting it yourself.

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Does anyone know of a Fiat main dealer that can replace one reasonably close to Essex - the one in Chelmsford doesn't do motorhomes.
The garage I used last year for my service, has said that he has replaced about 6 in the last few years, having sent them away for repair and so far has not heard of any problems with them. Whether that's because people just went and got new ones I wouldn't know.
 
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davidroxburgh said:
We have a Fiat based PVC bought abroad so LHD. So far no ECU issues. Would it be wise to get the new part when Adams Morey are doing service and MOT soon in case of issues on the road?
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It's only an issue at MOT time because of the red fault light on the dash
 
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So first run out with repaired airbag ECU and new battery and no issues at all. (just over a month since it was repaired) Due for an MOT in a month so will keep folks updated.
 
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clanjones said:
So first run out with repaired airbag ECU and new battery and no issues at all. (just over a month since it was repaired) Due for an MOT in a month so will keep folks updated.
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Don't get too excited yet. I had one last 3 months before failing again. I really hope your is sorted👍
 
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Lenny HB said:
longer than my 9 days.
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If, if, we could get a lettuce, we could have a rerun of the lettuce versus Lizz competition to see which lasted the longest. Lettuce versus FIATS legendary USELESS, NOT FIT FOR PURPOSE, £500.00 , componant that keeps on delivering healthy profits, ECU.
Mike.
 
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BouncyBoatFolk said:
If, if, we could get a lettuce, we could have a rerun of the lettuce versus Lizz competition to see which lasted the longest. Lettuce versus FIATS legendary USELESS, NOT FIT FOR PURPOSE, £500.00 , componant that keeps on delivering healthy profits, ECU.
Mike.
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Lenny HB one that lasted 9 days was one repaired by crash data, the original lasted 4 or 5 years i believe. Newer design now so hoping my £350 one lasts.
 
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Jasz said:
Does anyone know of a Fiat main dealer that can replace one reasonably close to Essex - the one in Chelmsford doesn't do motorhomes.
The garage I used last year for my service, has said that he has replaced about 6 in the last few years, having sent them away for repair and so far has not heard of any problems with them. Whether that's because people just went and got new ones I wouldn't know.
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Weeley any good?
https://www.dsalmon-subaru.co.uk/
looks after our autocruise, servicing and recalls.
Their was a recall which they did but broke the exhaust probe, gave us a car until they got a new one then drove it to us in Ipswich plus they mot'ed it foc.
Good company.
Homestead Lake park down the road have excellent cafe and parts shop if you decide to wait for it to be fixed.
 
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Diabalo said:
not necessarily your driving, could be the an coming driver who has fell asleep.
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many vans do not have passenger airbags, ( mine does ) in many its an extra. Therefore in such a motorhome you are no worse off than the front passenger.
i have said this many times; " we must do whatever as an individual helps us sleep at night"!
 
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olley said:
Weeley any good?
https://www.dsalmon-subaru.co.uk/
looks after our autocruise, servicing and recalls.
Their was a recall which they did but broke the exhaust probe, gave us a car until they got a new one then drove it to us in Ipswich plus they mot'ed it foc.
Good company.
Homestead Lake park down the road have excellent cafe and parts shop if you decide to wait for it to be fixed.
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Thanks. Booked in for next week

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Camper634 said:
For the 3rd time in less than 12 months the air bag warning light is back on the dash.The last time was 6 weeks ago when it cost me £88 with crashdata to have the module reprogrammed.I did ask the question then why has it gone again.One of the replies it could be high voltage when starting the engine.So every time since the last replacement i have turned the ignition to on and waited until the various lights went off before cranking the engine.This morning i only tuned the ignition on to check mu LPG levels and almost immediately the air bag light came on.
I am at a loss what to do next.I cant keep paying £88 God knows how many times.Has anyone please got/had this problem and found out a reliable fix?Any help greatly appreciated.
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It's a problem for me too. It seems the general remedy is to send the module to Crashdata and they "Flash" it and send it back. Why don't we just buy the machine that does the flashing and never worry about this again? Anyone know what it's called and how to buy one?
 
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