Replace Ducato airbag module?

[Chuns]

Happy New Year.

Wretched thing (module) has failed again. The first time I had it re-programmed, but I am wondering whether, if I bought a new one, it would potentially fail again because it has not been improved, or has Fiat recognised it needed fixing, and that new ones would be less prone to failure.

I'm looking for insights, really, does anyone have a view?
Thanks.

 

[Lenny HB]

When I had the one on the last van replaced it was a different model number & came with a 2 year warranty.

 

[Googlebot]

Newer ones are apparently much better from what I have read on here and Fiat forum.

Just waiting to see if Northern Auto Tech can do nothing with mine. At nearly £400, I hope so.

 

[raysalaugh]

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!

 

[Chuns]

Thanks for that, chaps. Would I have to buy one from Fiat, or are here better alternatives, do you know?

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[SVMC15]

Thanks for that, chaps. Would I have to buy one from Fiat, or are here better alternatives, do you know?

I used Coastal Motorhomes, very helpful and get member discount.

You will need the serial number from your existing unit as there are several to choose from!

 

[Chuns]

I used Coastal Motorhomes, very helpful and get member discount.

You will need the serial number from your existing unit as there are several to choose from!

Thank you.

Cheers,

Peter

 

[TinaLes]

I would have thought that if the serial/part number is required to order a new one, then unless its stated that its an upgrade from the original, I wouldn't trust that it was any different to the original so may well suffer from all the weaknesses of the original i.e no improvement to earthing tags on PCB, or protection from low voltage starting.

I did hear somewhere that the part number had been changed hopefully to reflect that it had been upgraded, a 2 year warranty would be the minimum I would accept for the prices they are asking.

Good Luck to all that suffer from this recurring problem that Fiat should fully address by having a safety recall, but they haven't to date somehow they have got away with it.
LES

 

[Cal54]

I’m another advocate for Northern Autotech (Morecambe). They can provide/replace and programme. I understand that the new units are superior to the originals and I believe are now manufactured in the uk (I think that’s what they said!)
They sorted me out with my previous van.

 

[Jimbohorlicks]

I used Coastal Motorhomes, very helpful and get member discount.

You will need the serial number from your existing unit as there are several to choose from!

You will still need the ecu proxy aligned to your van. If you have somone local to do that ok,otherwise it's just a brick.

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[grasscutter]

You will still need the ecu proxy aligned to your van. If you have somone local to do that ok,otherwise it's just a brick.

As Jim has said you need the ecu proxy aligned.
I know nothing of such wizardry but when Northern Autotech fitted my new module he explained in basic terms that the alignment basically wipes the memory. It is then reprogrammed with new software. He did say if this goes wrong it’s major.
Scary stuff.

 

[Jimbohorlicks]

As Jim has said you need the ecu proxy aligned.
I know nothing of such wizardry but when Northern Autotech fitted my new module he explained in basic terms that the alignment basically wipes the memory. It is then reprogrammed with new software. He did say if this goes wrong it’s major.
Scary stuff.

Guaranteed for a year with Northern Autotech as well.

 

[Two on Tour]

The original units that fail were made in Hungary, and as I understand it, from January last year they are now being made in the UK and are to date more reliable.
I managed to get a late January 2024 unit from an eBay seller to replace my failed original, and I understand that Northern Autotech stocks the new UK made ones.

 

[Orca Brody]

I have the same issue and recently purchased a new ECU that is compatible with the exisiting ECU, different part number. Mine was £205 from Coastal Motorhomes but prices seem to vary depending on which part number you need. I've heard too many stories about repairs failing again so decided to purchase new.

 

[VXman]

Safest bet is to just go to a Fiat Professional. You'll get the latest version and a 2 year warranty. It will cost £500 but is the only way for a bit of peace of mind in my opinion.

This providing the serial number malarky sounds fishy to me. You might get an old version. On the website Coastal motorhomes seem a bit cheap. Either the price is not correct or they are not genuine Fiat ones.
.

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[BobJayne]

As you're in Wimborne and Coastal Motorhomes are down the road in Ringwood it may be worth asking them if they have someone they recommend locally that can fit and proxy align it to your Adria.

Had mine replaced by Essanjay in Poole.

 

[Two on Tour]

Safest bet is to just go to a Fiat Professional. You'll get the latest version and a 2 year warranty. It will cost £500 but is the only way for a bit of peace of mind in my opinion.

This providing the serial number malarky sounds fishy to me. You might get an old version. On the website Coastal motorhomes seem a bit cheap. Either the price is not correct or they are not genuine Fiat ones.
.

All Stellantis airbag ECU units are specific to year and model of the vehicle, hence providing the serial number to get the correct unit, nothing fishy there, and as for price, then like all this in the real world, it depends on mark up as to what you pay, and Fiat Professional have a very good track record of fleecing customers on the mark up of spare parts.