Help Please !!! Airbag Issues

[OutTheOffice]

Hi all, I really need some advice from folk who have had airbag ECU issues.

We have had our warning light on, the van went to a local garage who identified error code B0102. They cleaned all the earthing points, the warning light went off and returned the van to us. They also checked for frayed wiring under the seats etc

A couple of days later the light came on again, this time the garage said they would need to send it away, so I did this myself and sent it to crash data. They came back and said the unit was beyond repair so a new one , coded was sent out.

I have fitted the replacement ECU this AM, and the airbag light is still on, not just that, but the seat belt warning light now wont go out and the mileage is constantly flashing.

I have now spent £380 on the new ECU and £90 on the diagnostic at the garage and got no where.

Where should I go from here?

Thank you

 

[Phill D]

Sound s my like the main ecu needs resetting.
If someone near you has multiecuscan that should sort it. Or it’s back to the garage for them to reset.

 

[ctc]

You could try one of the companies that remap ecus.

 

[Landy Andy]

Start with a basic remove power (disconnect battery). Leave for a while and then reconnect battery. It’s always worth doing simple stuff first.

 

[Lenny HB]

Check all the connections under the seats bother seat belt warning switches and tensioner if you have them as they link into the Airbag ECU.

From my own experience Crash Data are a total waste of time the best way of sorting Airbag ECU problems is to take the van to a Fiat Professional garage. Expensive but it gets it sored and you get a warranty.

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[Phill D]

Start with a basic remove power (disconnect battery). Leave for a while and then reconnect battery. It’s always worth doing simple stuff first.

Good call

 

[Lenny HB]

Start with a basic remove power (disconnect battery). Leave for a while and then reconnect battery. It’s always worth doing simple stuff first.

Unfortunately that doesn't work with the Airbag ECU.

 

[activecampers]

Mileage flashing means BCM (body computer) is a little confused and cannot talk to other modules it knows about fully, and needs a "proxy align" to learn to clat to them all. (Can be triggerered when, for example, removing radio/bluetooth and that module vanishes. Not heard about it doing it when airbag module is removed, but AFAIK its the same meaning - BCM not "happy" with its chats with airbag module (or somehting else).
But I'd not do that unless I knew why? May be the airbag computer needs programming/linking; or install was wrong, or airbag module not a perfect match/programmed for van.
Assume you used the correct and full power off/reboot of all modules when you disconected/reconnected the battery?
If so, ask Crashdata as I doubt they expect you to have to run the alignement?

 

[OutTheOffice]

Start with a basic remove power (disconnect battery). Leave for a while and then reconnect battery. It’s always worth doing simple stuff first.

I have tried that --- has not made any difference

 

[Camper634]

You have my sympathy.I have been around this particular on 4 occasions.Never had a lot of faith in crashdata. Last time I used Northern Autotec and up to now it has been fine.Might be a coincidence.I also replaced my starter battery as they suggested.I am quietly confident that may have solved the problem……for now.

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[OutTheOffice]

Mileage flashing means BCM (body computer) is a little confused and cannot talk to other modules, and needs a "proxy align" to learn to clat to them all.
But I'd not do that unless I knew why? May be the airbag computer needs programming/linking; or install was wrong, or airbag module not a perfect match/programmed for van.
Assume you used the correct and full power off/reboot of all modules when you disconected/reconnected the battery?
If so, ask Crashdata as I doubt they expect you to have to run the alignement?

Thank you --- this could be me then, what should I have done to reboot the modules, I refitted the airbag ECU, connected the battery, left it for 15 mins then started the van up. Have I screwed up? Thanks

 

[Phill D]

Do you always let all lights go out after turning on ignition before starting?
( except oil and battery of course)

I do that to allow voltage to settle before cranking

 

[activecampers]

Thank you --- this could be me then, what should I have done to reboot the modules, I refitted the airbag ECU, connected the battery, left it for 15 mins then started the van up. Have I screwed up? Thanks

From "my" manual



There is a specific and pedantic process to disconnect and reconnect the vehicle battery

The problem is that the system need to shut down and start up in an organised way, if the battery power is low or intermittent during this shutdown, memory may be corrupted or the communication process between modules confused. Its the air bag computer that is most likely to fail. Its the door switch that initiates the start up or shutdown of the van electronics.

To disconnect the engine battery.

• Turn off vehicle battery isolator (See photo B6)
• Remove battery cover.
• From inside the van close all doors and windows, but don't lock the van with the remote.
• Remove the ignition key.
• Wait a couple of minutes.
• Disconnect the negative terminal first, then positive if removing the battery
• Its now safe to open the doors!

To reconnect the battery.

• Close all the doors and windows.
• Ignition key removed.
• From inside the van reconnect the battery, positive terminal first, negative terminal last.
• Wait one minute and turn the ignition on.
• Wait a further minute before activating anything else.
• Open doors.
• Only once satisfied all is working well, Turn on vehicle battery isolator (See photo B6)

Jump Starting from another vehicle

• Turn off vehicle battery isolator (See photo B6)
• Open the bonnet, close all doors with ignition key out.
• Ensure other vehicle has engine running
• Wait a few minutes,
• Connect up using the connection points in the engine compartment, positive first, then negative.
• wait a few minutes, open the doors and turn on the ignition on, wait a minute, start engine.

 

[Camper634]

Last time i replaced mine the mileage odometer flashed.However after driving less than 10 miles it stopped flashing and hasn’t flashed since.

 

[OutTheOffice]

Do you always let all lights go out after turning on ignition before starting?
( except oil and battery of course)

I do that to allow voltage to settle before cranking

Yes I do, we have had issues with the yellow warning triangle in the past and going through that routine has helped stop that

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[activecampers]

Thank you --- this could be me then, what should I have done to reboot the modules, I refitted the airbag ECU, connected the battery, left it for 15 mins then started the van up. Have I screwed up? Thanks

See above. At least you had battery off (phew!)
Ae you 100% sure airbag ECU is connected and earthed correctly?
If so, I'd call crash data.

I've given you the reason why mileage is flashing, but not the reason why (hmmm - you know what I mean). We can't speculate here, and even if it was me (and I have laptop/software/cable) I'd call crash data before doing anything. Your old/new ECU may be different or programmed different or need programming (e.g 2/3 seats; pax airbag or not etc) - so hence it may be confused. Its possible they matched the ECU but your old one was reprogrammed.

Not much anyone can do. But call CD and tell them what is happening, and ask if new ECU matches what you had.

(Note - some van conversions, esp self builds (not mine, mine was 2x singles and airbags from factory) with single pax seat came with double seats from factory, and people (!) put in random single seat and disable any pax airbags/seat warnings and, well, consider it a safe practice. But this may lead to confusion down the line if trying to program new modules)

 

[gus-lopez]

I have fitted the replacement ECU this AM, and the airbag light is still on, not just that, but the seat belt warning light now wont go out and the mileage is constantly flashing.

It needs a proxy alignment as said

what should I have done to reboot the modules,

You can't it has to be done with Fiat multiscan. The garage should have done it.
that is why people get them replaced at a main dealers if you do not have access to the multiscan app.

 

[LithiumConvert]

We had the airbag ECU fail on our 2014 Ducato.

Disconnectng or replacing the battery will not, of itself, cure anything.

Although you need to both (see above) to replace the airbag ECU.

Crashdata (in Liverpool) will need a new aibag ECU and the original, so that they can program the new one to match your vehicle)

I have found Crashdata to be very helpfull. The van ran perfectly for years afterwards - still going strong when we upgraded to an A Class.)

 

[activecampers]

It needs a proxy alignment as said

You can't it has to be done with Fiat multiscan. The garage should have done it.
that is why people get them replaced at a main dealers if you do not have access to the multiscan app.

AFAIK, happy to be updated/corrected - but AFAIAA the alignment does not tell the airbag ECU the configuration of the van - it just gets the BCM to learn what modules are there and what they can do? Which I suspect (aka blindly guess) isn't correct. Not sure why a proxy align is needed either, as most (?) who swap airbag ECUs don't need them


Lots of guessing and blind speculation, and I confess I've got the kit but never run a proxy align nor touched the airbag module.

But also hence the "call CD" recommendation

EDIT: Googling suggests the Proxy Align may be needed sort out the airbag module -

https://www.crashdata.co.uk/proxi-alignment-service-p/9020.htm#:~:text=This%20service%20is%20to%20proxi,to%20visit%20your%20main%20dealer.

https://www.alfaowner.com/threads/airbag-ecu-module-proxy-alignment.1196742/

etc

Nothing 100% matching, but hence "call CD and ask "

 

[OutTheOffice]

We had the airbag ECU fail on our 2014 Ducato.

Disconnectng or replacing the battery will not, of itself, cure anything.

Although you need to both (see above) to replace the airbag ECU.

Crashdata (in Liverpool) will need a new aibag ECU and the original, so that they can program the new one to match your vehicle)

I have found Crashdata to be very helpfull. The van ran perfectly for years afterwards - still going strong when we upgraded to an A Class.)

That was the outcome I was hoping for, CD have programmed the new ECU, but clearly something is still amiss, whether it is the new ECU with a fault, not correctly coded, or it has corrupted something else within the vehicle I dont know

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[OutTheOffice]

Thank you all for your replies, I suspect I wont get very far calling up CD, and Im not sure if our local garage has the necessary tools to perform the correct diagnostics. I am going to bite the bullet and take it to HTC in Oxford who are FIat Professional dealers and have sorted all the various recalls we have had. The old adage pay cheap pay twice seems to apply. When thats fixed I can start to address the water ingress issue we have. Motorhoming is such fun !!!!

 

[OutTheOffice]

Have taken the van into our local garage this AM as Fiat cannot look at it for 4 weeks !!! They have confirmed that the airbag ECU from crashdata is working, but it has been coded to expect 3 front seats ( ie as it was before conversion), the garage thinks it can amend this to reflect the 2 seats. I have left it with them. Makes me yearn for the days of my first Mini 850 when cars and life in general was so much easier.

 

[Phill D]

Have taken the van into our local garage this AM as Fiat cannot look at it for 4 weeks !!! They have confirmed that the airbag ECU from crashdata is working, but it has been coded to expect 3 front seats ( ie as it was before conversion), the garage thinks it can amend this to reflect the 2 seats. I have left it with them. Makes me yearn for the days of my first Mini 850 when cars and life in general was so much easier.

have you told crash data, so they know what they have done. although they are likely to say that they copied your old data over.

 

[OutTheOffice]

have you told crash data, so they know what they have done. although they are likely to say that they copied your old data over.

No not yet, I will wait to see if the lacal garage can fix it and confirm what was wrong, then I will go back to them. These things are a bit of a marathon to resolve

 

[Quackers]

Just had ours fixed at a Fiat approved garage last week. They are seeing so many of these failures that they now keep plenty of the ECU devices in as a stock item. It is a shame we are unable to report it to the DVLA, the fact that it triggers a warning light prevents it from requiring a recall. Meanwhile the airbag ECU failure list is growing, we had the dreaded three lights appear whilst motorway driving, airbag, seat belt and flashing mileometer.

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[Camper634]

It's a disgrace that these haven't been replaced FOC as they obviously have not been fit for purpose.

 

[OutTheOffice]

Just had ours fixed at a Fiat approved garage last week. They are seeing so many of these failures that they now keep plenty of the ECU devices in as a stock item. It is a shame we are unable to report it to the DVLA, the fact that it triggers a warning light prevents it from requiring a recall. Meanwhile the airbag ECU failure list is growing, we had the dreaded three lights appear whilst motorway driving, airbag, seat belt and flashing mileometer.

Thank you --- this is the same combo we have. Can I ask how much you were charged for putting it right. Thank you

 

[Jimbohorlicks]

Hi all, I really need some advice from folk who have had airbag ECU issues.

We have had our warning light on, the van went to a local garage who identified error code B0102. They cleaned all the earthing points, the warning light went off and returned the van to us. They also checked for frayed wiring under the seats etc

A couple of days later the light came on again, this time the garage said they would need to send it away, so I did this myself and sent it to crash data. They came back and said the unit was beyond repair so a new one , coded was sent out.

I have fitted the replacement ECU this AM, and the airbag light is still on, not just that, but the seat belt warning light now wont go out and the mileage is constantly flashing.

I have now spent £380 on the new ECU and £90 on the diagnostic at the garage and got no where.

Where should I go from here?

Thank you

They should have recoded the replacement from the duff unit you sent them. If it doesn't put the lights out it's either not connected properly. That's how mine was when the ecu wasnt there .
So make sure its all conndeted ,a good secondary earth to near the battery and the connections are clipped jntk place. Not just plugged in.

 

[LithiumConvert]

Worth remembering, I think, is that it is a, low voltage, dying starter battery not holding a charge that seems to be the trigger that causes this fault to appear.

I bought a new airbag ECU from Coastal Motorhomes and took it to Crashdata together with old one to have the new one programmed for our Ducato.

 

[Quackers]

Thank you --- this is the same combo we have. Can I ask how much you were charged for putting it right. Thank you

£412 inc

Worth remembering, I think, is that it is a, low voltage, dying starter battery not holding a charge that seems to be the trigger that causes this fault to appear.

Starter battery checked, not the issue.