Passenger Airbag Fault

Dorset Diver

Dorset Diver

Joined
Dec 23, 2014
Posts
2,297
Likes collected
3,095
Location
South Somerset
Funster No
34,546
MH
Carthago C-Line I 50
Exp
Since 2009
Its a 2015 FIAT 2.3 truck base and the dash is showing a passenger airbag fault, it comes up about five seconds after starting and stays. The display also recommends looking at the handbook but that is next to useless. I have checked all fuses and all are well. Can anyone throw any light on the likely cause(s) or is it off to the garage?
 
Is your starter battery fully charged?
I had this with a discharged battery,

I replaced battery and took her for a spin and all has been well since
 
Advice to check the underseat wiring is sound. However, I had the same fault in a 2015 fiat based van and it turned out to be the airbag CPU (Computer thingy) that is bolted to the floor under the central console. You would need to get the van plugged into a analyser to confirm. If it is the CPU they can be repaired or replaced but a new one will need the Dash CPU reset - yes there are several CPUs but the main 2 are the engine CPU and the cabin(?) CPU and it is this one that the airbag CPU "talks" to and puts messages on your dash!

I am sure someone will come along soon and provide the link to a previous thread that has a lot more detail. Good news is that the MH will still run fine, bad news it will cost money and need s technician to diagnose and set a new one.
 
I had been driving around with the same fault since last October. Decided I'd better get it fixed before MOT in May so took it to my nearest Fiat Professional as I couldn't be arsed to do it myself ... total cost just over £500 for new ecu including initial test & readout.

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icantremember said:
I had been driving around with the same fault since last October. Decided I'd better get it fixed before MOT in May so took it to my nearest Fiat Professional as I couldn't be arsed to do it myself ... total cost just over £500 for new ecu including initial test & readout.
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How much??!!!!:cry::oops:
Cor blimey.
 
pappajohn said:
The 30 quids worth of components are connected with magic solder.... Its the magic solder which costs so much, its made from fairy poo.
Click to expand...
Ah yes,of course,I thought that was the reason!
I’m going to keep some fairies in the garden then.....and sell theirs on eBay. This time next year Rodney.............:giggle:
 
Thanks all. When the rain stops I shall have a look around the seat.
PS the battery is fully charged.
 
Had a similar problems a couple of weeks back.
Started the motorhome in storage to take it to it's MOT and low and behold the airbag, seatbelt pre-tensioner, etc warning lights came on along with the milometer flashing. Took it to the MOT station and asked them to forget the MOT (three weeks to run on existing one) and just look at the issue.
They checked it on two diagnostic machines but couldn't reset the fault (B0100 from memory).
Spoke with local Fiat Professional place and they advised it was a dud Airbag Control Unit failure (or something similar sounding) and a new one would be £350 + VAT + labour!:eek:
After looking around decided to speak with crash-data UK who said send it to them and they should be able to reset and return. So, out comes the unit, posted at 19:00 on Friday evening, returned by 12:00 on Tuesday, refitted in time for rearranged MOT on Thursday (and it passed no problems).:happy:
If you've got access to an OBD reader you may be able to identify the fault code and discuss with http://crash-data.co.uk/ very helpful.(y)

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Gellyneck said:
Had a similar problems a couple of weeks back.
Started the motorhome in storage to take it to it's MOT and low and behold the airbag, seatbelt pre-tensioner, etc warning lights came on along with the milometer flashing. Took it to the MOT station and asked them to forget the MOT (three weeks to run on existing one) and just look at the issue.
They checked it on two diagnostic machines but couldn't reset the fault (B0100 from memory).
Spoke with local Fiat Professional place and they advised it was a dud Airbag Control Unit failure (or something similar sounding) and a new one would be £350 + VAT + labour!:eek:
After looking around decided to speak with crash-data UK who said send it to them and they should be able to reset and return. So, out comes the unit, posted at 19:00 on Friday evening, returned by 12:00 on Tuesday, refitted in time for rearranged MOT on Thursday (and it passed no problems).:happy:
If you've got access to an OBD reader you may be able to identify the fault code and discuss with http://crash-data.co.uk/ very helpful.(y)
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Gellyneck Very helpful thanks (y). I should be able to get the test done but where do I find this control unit and how difficult is it to get at and remove assuming that I need to?
 
Mines is at crashdata for the second year running.it is not repairable(earthing problem that cant be fixed) and they are sending a new one out tomoz morning £270 including vat. Cheapest garage could get £298+ vat. So a bit cheaper . So worth speaking to them for advice.this seems to be a very common problem with the sevel vans,2 years in a row for me (although i drove for 6 months in Spain with the light on) .2 years warranty with the new one ,so hopefuly ok for next year ☺.
Hope you can get it repaired
Cheers Cris.
 
It is in the passenger footwell, search the site , a sequence of how to remove it has been posted.
Cheers Cris.
 
Dorset Diver said:
Gellyneck Very helpful thanks (y). I should be able to get the test done but where do I find this control unit and how difficult is it to get at and remove assuming that I need to?
Click to expand...
www.motorhomefun.co.uk

Airbag ECU/CrashData

I had my Hyner's starter battery disconnected whilst I fitted a second domestic battery and some other stuff. Due to the weather and working in the open this took 6 days .... on re-starting I got the Airbag warning light. Doh, won't do that again ... Anyway, ECU posted to Crashdata 23/12 for...
www.motorhomefun.co.uk www.motorhomefun.co.uk
Hopefully this will link you to it.if i hsve done it right???

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Dorset Diver said:
Gellyneck Very helpful thanks (y). I should be able to get the test done but where do I find this control unit and how difficult is it to get at and remove assuming that I need to?
Click to expand...
Remove carpeting in the cab (a couple of twist locks)
Lift floor in the cab (about six twist locks - I used a 50p piece)
Disconnect the vehicle battery (both -ve and +ves) and leave for 30 minutes
Disconnect the airbag control unit - two clipped multi-plugs on right-hand side looking forward (it's the silver box up close to the drivers left foot assuming rhd)
Remove three screws holding airbag control unit (think it was an 8 or 10mm socket)
That's you (about 20 minutes work excluding the wait time)

Let me know if you need further.
 
Gellyneck said:
Remove carpeting in the cab (a couple of twist locks)
Lift floor in the cab (about six twist locks - I used a 50p piece)
Disconnect the vehicle battery (both -ve and +ves) and leave for 30 minutes
Disconnect the airbag control unit - two clipped multi-plugs on right-hand side looking forward (it's the silver box up close to the drivers left foot assuming rhd)
Remove three screws holding airbag control unit (think it was an 8 or 10mm socket)
That's you (about 20 minutes work excluding the wait time)

Let me know if you need further.
Click to expand...

Many thanks just what I needed (y).
 
Gellyneck said:
Remove carpeting in the cab (a couple of twist locks)
Lift floor in the cab (about six twist locks - I used a 50p piece)
Disconnect the vehicle battery (both -ve and +ves) and leave for 30 minutes
Disconnect the airbag control unit - two clipped multi-plugs on right-hand side looking forward (it's the silver box up close to the drivers left foot assuming rhd)
Remove three screws holding airbag control unit (think it was an 8 or 10mm socket)
That's you (about 20 minutes work excluding the wait time)

Let me know if you need further.
Click to expand...


Just to confirm location. Its underneath the central glove box in front of the battery screwed to the bulkhead floor. The rear nuts can be hard to get to
It's a common problem if you let the starter battery go too flat.

WP_20171020_16_07_08_Pro.jpg
 
Stealaway said:
Just to confirm location. Its underneath the central glove box in front of the battery screwed to the bulkhead floor. The rear nuts can be hard to get to
It's a common problem if you let the starter battery go too flat.

View attachment 369393
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If the rear screws are difficult to get to you can remove the panel immediately above the control unit (one screw either side, tilt it back and pull forward).
 
Ahhh!. Fiat. Fix It Again Tomorrow. ;)

P.S. I have a `54 plate Punto with 106K miles on the clock still going strong. Keeps passing MOT`s, I Keep using it. Toad as well.(y)
 
Pugsy said:
2 years in a row for me (although i drove for 6 months in Spain with the light on) .2 years warranty with the new one ,so hopefuly ok for next year
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Not wanting to rain on anyone's parade but, remember that if your vehicle isn't fit to pass an MOT, your insurance company can be very sniffy if your involved in a shunt, this even applies to windscreen wipers. :unsure::oops:
 
Not a big issue at present. The van is on my drive and will be fixed during the four month lock down period.

You have however raised a good point. My car will be needing an MOT during that period; how Is that going to be achieved?
 
I had the same prob and it was the airbag ECU. I have a suspicion that its to do with a voltage spike due to low vehicle battery killing the ECU, I have seen several posts where it's happened to stored vans with low batteries.
 
Diabalo said:
I had the same prob and it was the airbag ECU. I have a suspicion that its to do with a voltage spike due to low vehicle battery killing the ECU, I have seen several posts where it's happened to stored vans with low batteries.
Click to expand...
That's what crash-data told me. Low vehicle battery warning can impact the airbag control unit.
 
Just had a word with the garage I usually use as they have previously been fair, reasonable, and helpful. When I explained I only wanted a diagnostic check they went into overdrive to persuade me to give them free reign to fix it. I now think I would like to get an OBD for my own use, can anyone recommend a good one, reasonably priced?
 
I had the same problem a couple of years ago and got the iCarsoft i950 scanner which scans and allows you to reset warning lights etc on all Fiats and Alfas, it cost around £70. It is quite a handy piece of kit, it identified total failure of airbag ECU. I sent the ECU away but it was a beyond repair, got one from Hills salvage in Skemersdale for £80.00. I Fitted it and reset the light and has been OK since.
 
missmollie Thanks for the info. iCarsoft i950 scanner now seems to be about £95-120. I have seen other units at about £35 and I do wonder if they are any good?
 
There are loads of scanners around but, you also need one that will reset the warning and service lights once you have identified and rectified the fault.
I think I got mine off ebay when they was having one of their 10% off certain suppliers promotions.
Ask the suppliers of the other scanners will it do what you want, I found a lot of them never responded or wouldn't commit.

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