Fiat Ducato Airbag Warning Lights (again)

DDJC

DDJC

Joined
Nov 22, 2018
Posts
1,950
Likes collected
18,851
Location
South East but not London
Funster No
57,328
MH
Rimor Europeo 87
Exp
Five years plus three tugging
I have searched though the forum, but nothing yet answers my question.
I have three lights on and it beeps intermittently
The lights are:
20240406_095559.jpg
20240406_095553.jpg


My questions are:
1) Is/are the airbags working in the event of a front ender, notwithstanding the warning lights?
2) The 'seatbelt' light is not correct as both seatbelts were securely fitted. Could this be a fault that affects the airbag system? Or could the airbags system cause the seatbelt light to be on?
3) Is there anyway to deactivate the passenger airbag manually? Like most cars can?
4) Is it a self fix, or Fiat Commercial job?

Thanks in advance.
 
Sort by date Sort by votes
DDJC said:
That is so kind of you. I have laptops and can download the software. The cables and the instructions are the issue. As is my inherent cowardice, about the almost certainty of me killing the bus ECO stone dead; not least because I would swiftly follow it courtesy of Mrs DDJC! I have seen new sensor ECUs for about £300 from Fiat. If only they sold courage with it ... ::bigsmile: ::bigsmile:

Gonna pay Fiat Professional to do it. Thanks everyone for the advice and suggestions.
Click to expand...
Ha ha yes it certainly needs confidence, I have used the software for other bits and pieces, but confidence comes from repeated usage and I haven't used it often enough to be anything other than very cautious!
 
Upvote 0
DDJC said:
Thanks very much.

HTC Croydon told me yesterday that they had a two month waiting list, minimum. As I am a DIY dunce, I am going to bite the bullet and get on their list.
How long did it take? Is it something you can wait around for? I fancy a spot of lunch at Wing Yips round the corner!!
Click to expand...
Adams Morey Southampton keep them in stock as it’s a regular item for replacing and you can now get 10% member discount so even better😊👍
 
Upvote 0
DDJC said:
Just tried to ring the two nearest Fiat commercial centres. Minimum two month wait! Ouch.
We have trips booked, so I revert to my question 1. Will the airbags work, even though the warning light is on?
Click to expand...
I had my airbag ECU replaced by Adams Morey in Southampton 3 weeks ago, if you’re anywhere near. They fitted me in under a week and had the part on the shelf. Just a shame it was the week before the funsters discount was posted.

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
Upvote 0
DDJC said:
That is so kind of you. I have laptops and can download the software. The cables and the instructions are the issue. As is my inherent cowardice, about the almost certainty of me killing the bus ECU stone dead; not least because I would swiftly follow it courtesy of Mrs DDJC! I have seen new sensor ECUs for about £300 from Fiat. If only they sold courage with it ... ::bigsmile: ::bigsmile:

Gonna pay Fiat Professional to do it. Thanks everyone for the advice and suggestions.
Click to expand...
You really have to want to break something to do anything wrong. There's multiple warnings and are really sures before you hit any Armageddon button. Evrn then you won't break anything, maybe just need to do a reset. You will need an adapter cable to access some modules but Gendan sell the kit and they are all colour coded. In reality if you use the green cable adapter all the time with a Fiat Ducato you can access nearly all the modules
 
Upvote 0
Boldly said:
Seem to remember on another thread(sorry can't find it now) there was a company who would copy your ECU onto the new one so you didn't need the proxi alignment as the van thinks it is still the old one.
Click to expand...
I've just replaced my airbag module, being a woman, I went to utube, watched how to get it out, sent it off to Crashdata, completely broken, given 4 choices, took the easiest one for me, a new 2yr guaranteed unit, programmed by them £388, got it back in 2 days, refitted it and bingo, warning light went out!
 
Upvote 0
As Ginster, I have also used Crashdata. You can get a replacement and get a garage to do the proxi. I had them programme it as it was the easy option. They were very quick with a replacement.
 
Upvote 0
MichaelT said:
Airbag ECU failure, thete should be a warning message on display too. Get Fiat to replace, about 350 to 400 but you get warranty.
Click to expand...

Ali E said:
I had my airbag ECU replaced by Adams Morey in Southampton 3 weeks ago, if you’re anywhere near. They fitted me in under a week and had the part on the shelf. Just a shame it was the week before the funsters discount was posted.
Click to expand...
 
Upvote 0
Anyone had MOREY carry out a remap to 150bhp from 130

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
Upvote 0
Lenny HB said:
They are a Fiat Professional dealer so I very much doubt they would do it.
Click to expand...

Got it booked in to a local company in Kent, 25 mins away, that only fit and proxi code new ones, for the same reasons that many have stated here. And it is a while-you-wait job.

Looks like it is the cost of the sensor ECU plus about £120 labour. Should be under £500, but best of all. it is next month, and before we get away to the Vendée coast for Whitsun.
 
Upvote 0
B*gger. My airbag warning light came on again yesterday, for no good reason except maybe the starter battery is on its way out again. :mad:

I had the ECU module reprogrammed by CrashData in March 2021 so that repair has lasted 3 years.

The problem for me is that the MOT is due in May. Do I try to source a new ECU, or get this sensitive old ECU reprogrammed again, (the cheaper and faster option)?
 
Upvote 0
SpeedyDux said:
B*gger. My airbag warning light came on again yesterday, for no good reason except maybe the starter battery is on its way out again. :mad:

I had the ECU module reprogrammed by CrashData in March 2021 so that repair has lasted 3 years.

The problem for me is that the MOT is due in May. Do I try to source a new ECU, or get this sensitive old ECU reprogrammed again, (the cheaper and faster option)?
Click to expand...
Buy a new ECU (coastal motorhomes) get any garage or auto electrician to fit it( that has a suitable scanner.
 
Upvote 0
SpeedyDux said:
B*gger. My airbag warning light came on again yesterday, for no good reason except maybe the starter battery is on its way out again. :mad:

I had the ECU module reprogrammed by CrashData in March 2021 so that repair has lasted 3 years.

The problem for me is that the MOT is due in May. Do I try to source a new ECU, or get this sensitive old ECU reprogrammed again, (the cheaper and faster option)?
Click to expand...

If your cab battery is knackered, and then kills the airbag sensor ECU, is it fixed by simply changing the battery, or is the ECU knackered for good? Do I need a new battery as well? Isn't the new ECU going to die in a few weeks time, if the battery is still old and crap?
 
Upvote 0
DDJC said:
If your cab battery is knackered, and then kills the airbag sensor ECU, is it fixed by simply changing the battery, or is the ECU knackered for good? Do I need a new battery as well? Isn't the new ECU going to die in a few weeks time, if the battery is still old and crap?
Click to expand...
I'm not sure I believe that low volts causes the ECU to fail as it appears that only the rouges that claim to repair ECU's spout this theory.
But if replacing the ECU at £500 it's probably worth spending £100 on a battery if the old one is a few years old.
 
Upvote 0
DDJC said:
If your cab battery is knackered, and then kills the airbag sensor ECU, is it fixed by simply changing the battery, or is the ECU knackered for good? Do I need a new battery as well? Isn't the new ECU going to die in a few weeks time, if the battery is still old and crap?
Click to expand...
Fiat instructions for starting ignition on WAIT for lights to go out if air bag remains lit DO NO ATTEMPT TO START.
Measures you can take simple volmeter in cab to check battery voltage before starting
Keep starter battery full from solar.
If that doesn't work,get the prayer mat ( and wallet out)
The new ECU's have a different part number apparently so may have been altered internally

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
Upvote 0
oldiesontour said:
Fiat instructions for starting ignition on WAIT for lights to go out if air bag remains lit DO NO ATTEMPT TO START.
Measures you can take simple volmeter in cab to check battery voltage before starting
Keep starter battery full from solar.
If that doesn't work,get the prayer mat ( and wallet out)
The new ECU's have a different part number apparently so may have been altered internally
Click to expand...

That is excellent advice. Many thanks.

I didn't know about waiting for the lights to go out. New routine from now on.
I have a multimeter and will check the starter battery today. What should it be?
I think from memory that the solar puts 90 or even 95% into the leisure battery, I probably need to even that out more between leisure and cab.
 
Upvote 0
DDJC said:
didn't know about waiting for the lights to go out. New routine from now on.
Click to expand...
Also dip the clutch if it’s manual to reduce as much load on the battery as possible.
Especially when first starting from cold.
 
Upvote 0
The fiat bit seems to have been a later addition ( rear ends being covered)
You want circa 121/2 v ISH. If you think battery is suspect any tyre depot can do a load test ( usually free), but it does take a fair bit out of the battery,so watch the air bag ECU if battery tests poor !
 
Upvote 0
I should add voltage alone is a guide it does not mean the battery is good.It could be dropping excessively under the heavy load of the starter
 
  • Like
Reactions: JRT
Upvote 0
My precautions are
  • charge battery on EHU the day before
  • wait for all lights to go out before starting the engine

This time, I had driven the MH about 100 miles on Monday evening, so I assumed that on Wednesday the starter battery would hold enough charge. On a cold start, all was OK, so I assumed the battery voltage was no problem, but half a mile up the road the airbag light suddenly came on for no apparent reason. At the time the alternator was providing 14.3 volts. Aaagh. A random gremlin. :banghead: Bloody Fiat. Fix It Again Tomorrow.

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
Upvote 0
My belief is it is an over sensitive airbag ecu, and only a few are really as a direct result of a low battery state.
The battery voltage will always drop during the starting process.
 
Upvote 0
SpeedyDux said:
My precautions are
  • charge battery on EHU the day before
  • wait for all lights to go out before starting the engine

This time, I had driven the MH about 100 miles on Monday evening, so I assumed that on Wednesday the starter battery would hold enough charge. On a cold start, all was OK, so I assumed the battery voltage was no problem, but half a mile up the road the airbag light suddenly came on for no apparent reason. At the time the alternator was providing 14.3 volts. Aaagh. A random gremlin. :banghead: Bloody Fiat. Fix It Again Tomorrow.
Click to expand...
Perhaps they were the wrong type of volts::bigsmile:::bigsmile:
 
Upvote 0
oldiesontour said:
Don't Italian flow in reverse ??:giggle::giggle::giggle:
Click to expand...
Ah, the polarity question. Very confusing.

There should be a Funster airbag warning light song with lyrics based on the HokeyCokey:

When you put your ECU module in, your ECU module out
In, out, in, out, you shake it all about
You do the hokey cokey and you turn around
That's what it's all about

(chorus)

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
Upvote 0
SpeedyDux said:
Ah, the polarity question. Very confusing.

There should be a Funster airbag warning light song with lyrics based on the HokeyCokey:

When you put your ECU module in, your ECU module out
In, out, in, out, you shake it all about
You do the hokey cokey and you turn around
That's what it's all about

(chorus)
Click to expand...
Maybe last line That's when it dies
 
Upvote 0

Join us or log in to post a reply.

To join in you must be a member of MotorhomeFun

Join MotorhomeFun

Join us, it quick and easy!

Join us

Log in

Already a member? Log in here.

Latest journal entries

Back
Top