Fiat Ducato Airbag ECU fault.

[SavvyOwner]

Like many others, I recently fell victim to this all too common problem after the battery on my 2013 Fiat Ducato based Autotrail motorhome went flat with a persistent warning light. New vehicle and leisure batteries fitted and an OEM replacement ECU purchased which I had fitted at Airbag Team in Rotherham, South Yorkshire. I would like to commend Airbag Team to other members as the service I received was excellent. I arrived at the appointed time and was attended to immediately on arrival, greeted in a pleasant, friendly and helpful manner and waited in the waiting area whilst the ECU was replaced. I was offered a hot drink whilst I waited in a clean and comfortable waiting area and the work was completed within 45 minutes of my arrival with everything replaced and left tidy as it was on arrival. One curious detail which seems rather strange is that I started the motorhome up and took it off my drive, parking it outside the house on the road before departing for Airbag Team 40 minutes later. The airbag warning light was on when I first started the engine to put the motorhome out on the road as it had consistently been since fault first occurred. Sod's law prevailed and on later start up to set off for my appointment with Airbag Team the warning light went out and the mileometer stopped flashing!!! I wonder if this has happened to anyone else in that the ECU warning light appeared to resolve itself. However, I still felt the need for caution and peace of mind so went ahead with the replacement of the ECU with later dated (2021) unit which I hope will prevent the problem recurring in the future.

 

[f6c]

Had our Air Bag ECU replaced Last Friday 2019 Luckily Keswick Fiat Garage got a new ECU fitted all sorted. £496.72 Ouch

 

[SavvyOwner]

In previous post re Airbag ECU I stated that both vehicle and leisure batteries were placed. Vehicle battery was replaced to enable fixing of Airbag fault. It just so happened that the leisure batteries were also rapidly losing and not holding charge so needed changing at the same time. I have no reason to suppose that they were involved in the causation of the Airbag fault. The overall mystery for me is why the airbag warning light issue decided to resolve itself when I set off to have the Airbag ECU replaced. I have kept the old ECU but have no idea if the fault would have returned or not and therefore played safe.

 

[SavvyOwner]

In previous post re Airbag ECU I stated that both vehicle and leisure batteries were replaced at the same time. Vehicle battery was replaced because it had failed and needed not only to enable fixing of Airbag fault. It just so happened that the leisure batteries were also rapidly losing and not holding charge so needed changing at the same time. I have no reason to suppose that they were involved in the causation of the Airbag fault. The overall mystery for me is why the airbag warning light issue decided to resolve itself when I set off to have the Airbag ECU replaced. I have kept the old ECU but have no idea if the fault would have returned or not and therefore played safe

 

[TinaLes]

I do wish Fiat would own up to the fact that certain age ECU's were prone to failure, the newer ones are less so, and I believe now have additional an earth strap installed to the floor metalwork.
Most MH dealers have a stock of replacements on the shelf just waiting for the next victim to arrive, I know my dealer does this (Chelston Motor Homes, Wellington, Somerset) as they did two vans whilst I was there having an MOT/Service carried out.
LES

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[Richard n Ann]

Like many others, I recently fell victim to this all too common problem after the battery on my 2013 Fiat Ducato based Autotrail motorhome went flat with a persistent warning light. New vehicle and leisure batteries fitted and an OEM replacement ECU purchased which I had fitted at Airbag Team in Rotherham, South Yorkshire. I would like to commend Airbag Team to other members as the service I received was excellent. I arrived at the appointed time and was attended to immediately on arrival, greeted in a pleasant, friendly and helpful manner and waited in the waiting area whilst the ECU was replaced. I was offered a hot drink whilst I waited in a clean and comfortable waiting area and the work was completed within 45 minutes of my arrival with everything replaced and left tidy as it was on arrival. One curious detail which seems rather strange is that I started the motorhome up and took it off my drive, parking it outside the house on the road before departing for Airbag Team 40 minutes later. The airbag warning light was on when I first started the engine to put the motorhome out on the road as it had consistently been since fault first occurred. Sod's law prevailed and on later start up to set off for my appointment with Airbag Team the warning light went out and the mileometer stopped flashing!!! I wonder if this has happened to anyone else in that the ECU warning light appeared to resolve itself. However, I still felt the need for caution and peace of mind so went ahead with the replacement of the ECU with later dated (2021) unit which I hope will prevent the problem recurring in the future.

How much did they charge?

 

[Jo May]

I've just had my airbag ECU replaced by Northern Autotech in Morecambe. £380 inc VAT with one year warranty.
Carl told me that the original ECUs were European made, Hungary I think he said, but since January this year they've been made and supplied by a UK manufacturer. Since then (touching wood) they haven't had a single problem.
Took him about 40 minutes to diagnose on plugged-in PC and repair (I went for lunch with my stepdaughter at Royal Toby and had carvery!).

Just to add, Carl said (and we know from reports on here) that this is a very common problem. One I suggest that should have been the subject of an official Fiat recall?? Fat chance!

 

[Brummycraig]

I've just had the same issue, can't quite work out what caused the issue but it appeared whilst I had the dash apart replacing the head unit, there was a lot of seat swiveling and a little messing about under the seats so I may have disturbed a cable or connector, or it could have been a battery voltage issue...who knows

Anyway I decided to tackle myself and removed the SRS ECU, remove the tiny eeprom chip and read the data with a CH341 programmer following instructions on digitalkaos forum, I attempted to clear the data in the hex code myself but on replacement it still failed....I sent the file over to a very helpful chap from that forum who made a further adjustment to the file, at this point I wasn't hopeful but removed and de-soldered once again and programmed the new code....replaced the unit and voilà fault gone
I sent the guy some via PayPal as a thankyou but he wasn't asking for payment....I also compared the fixed file and uploaded the screenshot to the forum detailing the file changes so others in future may be able to fix on there own.

My vehicle is a Ducato 2014 230MJ X250 facelift (SRS ECU 01370978080) and here is the forum link:

Peugeot Boxer Airbag faults - Can they be cleared? (1375110080)

Hi Guys, I have a FIAT Air bag module (1375110080) in my Peugeot Boxer based motorhome with the following fault codes : b0102 b0127 b0100 I can't clear them with my £150 OBD2 Topdon kit and nor can the garage with their £15k worth of kit. They say that these codes are permanent and...

www.digital-kaos.co.uk

 

[Jimbohorlicks]

I have read through the repair procedures shown above but have to advise that I don't have the skills/ confidence to carry out such a delicate procedure as removing a tiny chip off a pcb board and then reprogramming it. And then soldering it back into place. That's another world to me plus I don't have the necessary computing tools.
I suppose for most of us the only way forward with a duff ecu is to fork put for a new one and then have it proxy aligned.
Interesting nonetheless .

 

[SavvyOwner]

How much did they charge?

Airbag Team charged £240 inc. VAT for removing and replacing the ECU with a new unit and proxy aligned. Although I thought it was rather expensive as I had already bought the replacement OEM unit, it was so convenient as I live only 5 miles away and was able to make an appointment for a convenient time and quickly before the MOT expires. Despite the cost the service was excellent and I didn't want to rely on a repaired ECU as I've learnt from other people that repaired units often fail again within a month or two. The OEM unit cost £345 so all in all it wasn't a cheap job but still far less than a Main Dealer or Brownhills would charge. Airbag Team do repair ECUs for £72 if anyone wants to take a chance on using a repair job.

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[IRHP]

I do wish Fiat would own up to the fact that certain age ECU's were prone to failure, the newer ones are less so, and I believe now have additional an earth strap installed to the floor metalwork.
Most MH dealers have a stock of replacements on the shelf just waiting for the next victim to arrive, I know my dealer does this (Chelston Motor Homes, Wellington, Somerset) as they did two vans whilst I was there having an MOT/Service carried out.
LES

You'd think as a safety item it should be a compulsory recall. The amount of these that go faulty is way above the normal failure level for an electric item.

 

[SavvyOwner]

I do wish Fiat would own up to the fact that certain age ECU's were prone to failure, the newer ones are less so, and I believe now have additional an earth strap installed to the floor metalwork.
Most MH dealers have a stock of replacements on the shelf just waiting for the next victim to arrive, I know my dealer does this (Chelston Motor Homes, Wellington, Somerset) as they did two vans whilst I was there having an MOT/Service carried out.
LES

I totally agree that this should have been a recall issue and not only affected Fiat vehicles but Peugeot and Citroen as well. The issue has been far too common and and occurred over quite a few years so it took far too long for this issue to be corrected on newer units.

 

[TinaLes]

You have only got to ask yourself how many cars have had flat starter batteries that you have either owned or known about, that needed to have new passenger seatbelt ECU's and re-programming as a result? Answer: None that I have ever owned or know about.
The regulator who ever that is should have been made aware of this safety issue and insisted on a free warranty fix for the issue. Can we trust that the air bag actually works when needed?, I hope we dont find out the hard way.
I did have a safety re-call on a 2003 BMW 330CI many years ago as there was a known problem on the passenger air bag inflation due to corrosion on the gas bottle, the car was about 6/7 years old at the time.
LES

 

[SavvyOwner]

I do wish Fiat would own up to the fact that certain age ECU's were prone to failure, the newer ones are less so, and I believe now have additional an earth strap installed to the floor metalwork.
Most MH dealers have a stock of replacements on the shelf just waiting for the next victim to arrive, I know my dealer does this (Chelston Motor Homes, Wellington, Somerset) as they did two vans whilst I was there having an MOT/Service carried out.
LES

Do you have any details on how the additional earth strap is connected? It would be helpful to know so that I can be belt and braces.

 

[Quackers]

Jim could we put some pressure on to get a recall sorted? We seem to get so many of our members experiencing the airbag fault. I dread to think what we have spent as a group getting the fault fixed.

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[Richard n Ann]

Jim could we put some pressure on to get a recall sorted? We seem to get so many of our members experiencing the airbag fault. I dread to think what we have spent as a group getting the fault fixed.

I admire your optimism, I know Jim is a VIP and all but Stellantis will take absolutely no notice, they probably only get complaints from private owners ie motorhomers which is a tiny minority.

It's not even a safety issue if the warning light comes on as you can either risk driving (your choice) it or get recovered.

 

[Jimbohorlicks]

Airbag Team charged £240 inc. VAT for removing and replacing the ECU with a new unit and proxy aligned. Although I thought it was rather expensive as I had already bought the replacement OEM unit, it was so convenient as I live only 5 miles away and was able to make an appointment for a convenient time and quickly before the MOT expires. Despite the cost the service was excellent and I didn't want to rely on a repaired ECU as I've learnt from other people that repaired units often fail again within a month or two. The OEM unit cost £345 so all in all it wasn't a cheap job but still far less than a Main Dealer or Brownhills would charge. Airbag Team do repair ECUs for £72 if anyone wants to take a chance on using a repair job.

Was there any warranty offered with the new unit. Thanks.

 

[Jimbohorlicks]

Do you have any details on how the additional earth strap is connected? It would be helpful to know so that I can be belt and braces.

I fitted an additional earth to one of the holding down bolts and then to a cleaned up bolt hole adjacent to the battery box .there was a picture somewhere of a short earthing cable that peugeot use.
Needless to say the extra earth lead didn't stop my ecu from failing .
On an additional note I never experienced the odeometer flashing just the airbag light on constantly and the text type warning coming up on the dash .

 

[Jimbohorlicks]

Deleted. Error post.

 

[SavvyOwner]

I have just received a quote from Airbag team. They want £360 for a new unit and £240 to fit it and proxy align it.
Total £600.inclusive of vat Are you sure they replaced your unit?
from the price they may just have refitted your old one? did you get it back ?

Airbag Team certainly did fit the OEM replacement unit that I provided and had previously purchased for £345 as I stated in a previous post. They gave me back the unit which had failed and was dated 2013. The unit they fitted was dated 2021, so I know I can be sure that they replaced the original failed unit with the one I provided. Airbag Team charged me £240 inc VAT for fitting and proxy alignment which is the same price they quoted for you. What is more, one of the staff is a friend of mine and was directly involved with the work done. Just to reiterate, the total cost for removing and replacing the new unit was £585 which comprises one new OEM ECU at £345 inc VAT (purchased separately and NOT from Airbag Team) and Airbag Team's charge of £240 inc VAT for installation. I do not understand why you doubted my previous posts or Airbag Team's honesty. Please read again, I never stated that the full cost was £240 and I made sure to provide details of the total cost of the job at £585. I hope this is now crystal clear. Needless to say, I was very impressed with the friendly and efficient service together with the professionalism of Airbag Team and this was the first time I had used them. Furthermore, a good friend who owns a garage has used them previously and was happy to recommend them before I booked an appointment for fitting at Airbag Team.

One further point, Airbag Team charge £72.00 for repairing and refitting a failed airbag ECU thereby avoiding the cost of replacement with a new unit and proxy alignment. I have also stated this in a previous post. I think you may have jumped the gun before reading the whole post which would have answered your question.

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[SavvyOwner]

I fitted an additional earth to one of the holding down bolts and then to a cleaned up bolt hole adjacent to the battery box .there was a picture somewhere of a short earthing cable that peugeot use.
Needless to say the extra earth lead didn't stop my ecu from failing .
On an additional note I never experienced the odeometer flashing just the airbag light on constantly and the text type warning coming up on the dash .
View attachment 956234

Thank you for your helpful reply and picture. Yes, the odometer flashed continuously every time I turned the ignition on and ceased to do so when the airbag warning light went out. There was no text type warning but this was on a 2013 model 2.3L 130bhp multijet, Ducato based Autotrail Savannah.

 

[Lenny HB]

Jim could we put some pressure on to get a recall sorted? We seem to get so many of our members experiencing the airbag fault. I dread to think what we have spent as a group getting the fault fixed.

I don't think you would get anywhere with a recall as airbags are not a legal requirement on vans.

Just to reiterate, the total cost for removing and replacing the new unit was £585 which comprises one new OEM ECU at £345 inc VAT (purchased separately and NOT from Airbag Team) and Airbag Team's charge of £240 inc VAT for installation.

That is more expensive than a Fiat Professional dealer & you get a 2 year warranty with them.

 

[dunnah01]

I've just had my airbag ECU replaced by Northern Autotech in Morecambe. £380 inc VAT with one year warranty.
Carl told me that the original ECUs were European made, Hungary I think he said, but since January this year they've been made and supplied by a UK manufacturer. Since then (touching wood) they haven't had a single problem.
Took him about 40 minutes to diagnose on plugged-in PC and repair (I went for lunch with my stepdaughter at Royal Toby and had carvery!).

Just to add, Carl said (and we know from reports on here) that this is a very common problem. One I suggest that should have been the subject of an official Fiat recall?? Fat chance!

I think pre MY18 were German made and prone to failure whereas the later Vietnamese ones seem better

 

[Lenny HB]

I noticed in my new van (2024) it's a totally different unit, the case top is black plastic.

 

[Jimbohorlicks]

Airbag Team certainly did fit the OEM replacement unit that I provided and had previously purchased for £345 as I stated in a previous post. They gave me back the unit which had failed and was dated 2013. The unit they fitted was dated 2021, so I know I can be sure that they replaced the original failed unit with the one I provided. Airbag Team charged me £240 inc VAT for fitting and proxy alignment which is the same price they quoted for you. What is more, one of the staff is a friend of mine and was directly involved with the work done. Just to reiterate, the total cost for removing and replacing the new unit was £585 which comprises one new OEM ECU at £345 inc VAT (purchased separately and NOT from Airbag Team) and Airbag Team's charge of £240 inc VAT for installation. I do not understand why you doubted my previous posts or Airbag Team's honesty. Please read again, I never stated that the full cost was £240 and I made sure to provide details of the total cost of the job at £585. I hope this is now crystal clear. Needless to say, I was very impressed with the friendly and efficient service together with the professionalism of Airbag Team and this was the first time I had used them. Furthermore, a good friend who owns a garage has used them previously and was happy to recommend them before I booked an appointment for fitting at Airbag Team.

One further point, Airbag Team charge £72.00 for repairing and refitting a failed airbag ECU thereby avoiding the cost of replacement with a new unit and proxy alignment. I have also stated this in a previous post. I think you may have jumped the gun before reading the whole post which would have answered your question.

I didnt doubt your post or airbag teams honesty. I misread the post and thought that the price you paid included a new unit. ( i have seen a new oem airbag unit at £180). But I see after a reread that you supplied the new ecu which they then fitted. The prices quoted to me by the airbag Team therefore tally with what you paid.
As I typed in my response I checked back to your post and realised my mistake and deleted it ( but too late for you to see and quote it)
Thanks for the heads-up and clarification.

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[SavvyOwner]

I didnt doubt your post or airbag teams honesty. I misread the post and thought that the price you paid included a new unit. ( i have seen a new oem airbag unit at £180). But I see after a reread that you supplied the new ecu which they then fitted. The prices quoted to me by the airbag Team therefore tally with what you paid.
As I typed in my response I checked back to your post and realised my mistake and deleted it ( but too late for you to see and quote it)
Thanks for the heads-up and clarification.

Your welcome. One important point re purchasing a new airbag unit is to check that the part number tallies as it is possible for a supplier to state that a new unit is compatible and subsequently turns out not to be on fitting and proxy alignment. Airbag Team have experience of this happening to one of their customers and advised me of this when I arranged fitting by them. Fortunately I had checked before having the job done so didn't just rely on the supplier stating it was compatible. The supplier incidentally, was very efficient with secure next day delivery when I ordered the unit. The supplier was OEM-ONLY LTD based in Warrington as advertised on eBay and sent the correct part with next day delivery which was ideal.

 

[DDJC]

Mine went in March. Spoke to our local MH workshop and he said that the newer ones have a much better survival rate and that he never now fitted any of the older units. Also, he said don't get it repaired unless it is a new one, as it will likely go again.

Cost £332 incl VAT