Airbag warning light on after 7 months storage :(

MR. FUSION

MR. FUSION

Joined
Oct 5, 2012
Posts
4,300
Likes collected
9,573
Location
Ayrshire
Funster No
23,166
MH
Carado T132
Exp
5 years, feel free to ask me about the Carado!!
Hi all, my moho has been in barn storage for 7 months, the engine has been run and it has been moved around a few times ( only a few meters) . I noticed now the airbag warning light has come on, when it was not on when it went into storage!
Any common issues I can look for (or parts to change) in the first instance before taking it to a garage ???? FIAT 2.3 Ducato 2015.
Thanks for any help.
 
Check for loose or chafed cables under the seats, but unlikely to have happened suddenly whilst the van has not been used.

A possible issue is a spiked SRS ECU or corrupted memory due to low system voltage either because the battery has been allowed to discharge to a low level, or the system voltage has been pulled down too far during starting. That would mean the SRS ECU would need to be repaired by one of the companies such as CrashData, or replaced. But before you go down the route of speculatively changing or replacing parts you really need to get the system read for fault codes that would indicate where the problem lies.

It may be that just clearing the code will solve the problem if it was a momentary glitch, e.g. due to a voltage issue or similar.
 
Deneb said:
Check for loose or chafed cables under the seats, but unlikely to have happened suddenly whilst the van has not been used.

A possible issue is a spiked SRS ECU or corrupted memory due to low system voltage either because the battery has been allowed to discharge to a low level, or the system voltage has been pulled down too far during starting. That would mean the SRS ECU would need to be repaired by one of the companies such as CrashData, or replaced. But before you go down the route of speculatively changing or replacing parts you really need to get the system read for fault codes that would indicate where the problem lies.

It may be that just clearing the code will solve the problem if it was a momentary glitch, e.g. due to a voltage issue or similar.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the reply. Well although my solar panel was covered in bird poo, both batteries were showing green lights (on the basic info board traffic light system). So not sure about the voltage drop, but it's been away for a long time so anything could have happened !!!
 
Yes check for mice chews under the bonnet. (y) and where the air bags are

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Geo said:
Mice :Eeek:
Where did you get solar panels that work in a Barn
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Thank you for that I will add it to the list for a thorough check. I did have a look under the bonnet, no evidence of chewing, I have mouse sticky pads and bagged posion in every compartment I can, including the engine bay (pads only), I forgot to check that one but the rest were OK. Caught a few insects though.


Well there is light coming in from the open front and windows of the huge barn, so it just depends where you are parked as to how much light you get. But now I should be at the front with a clean solar panel, so hopefully no possible further voltage drops :(
 
When the airbag ecu went faulty on ours it was due to a low voltage battery warning. I believe it only needs the warning to trigger and it upsets the airbag ECU. Even when you recharge the battery it still retains the failure.
In addition to the airbag warning light we also had the seatbelt not fastened warning light (albeit the alarm wasn't sounding) and the mileometer was flashing.
 
It's usually when you try starting your van with a flat battery. You can get them repaired for about £80
 
Just ignore it, usual car problem of low battery voltage and it will usually go off after about 10 restarts. If you don't want to risk driving it with no airbags just restart it a few times on the drive. Alternatively, and if the restarts don't clear it, buy a licenced copy of MultiEcuScan and cables from places like Gendan and you'll save a fortune on garage diagnostics.
 
I'd try disconnecting the battery for an hour then connect it back up & give it a try.

If not, treat yourself to an IcarSoft reader, imho they are superb & ours paid for itself on its first outing.
Sadly ours is a Mercedes specific one or I'd come to yours & plug it in.
On ebay number 333392740631

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Get it code read at a garage and they will record codes & erase. If the light comes on again within a few weeks they will re-read it and record the codes - if the same codes come up then you have a problem & should indicate which area. We would charge £35 to code read & 1 free re-read.
 
ambulancekidd said:
I'd try disconnecting the battery for an hour then connect it back up & give it a try.

If not, treat yourself to an IcarSoft reader, imho they are superb & ours paid for itself on its first outing.
Sadly ours is a Mercedes specific one or I'd come to yours & plug it in.
On ebay number 333392740631
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Thanks for that :giggle: I have treated myself to one!!
 
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Stealaway said:
Let us know if it works. I for one would be very interested
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Will do, I have been meaning to get a device like this because soon I will probably need to reset my oil service as well.

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The squib is the component within the air bag inflator that begins the deployment process. If the squib is generating a DTC error code you must replace the airbag in question.
 
We had the same light come on in our 2013 Ducato, as they were fitting a new instrument panel under warranty we thought that was the problem, despite the new panel the light stayed on, had to fit a new sensor to cure problem.
 
On with this issue at present.My story is airbag warning light and bong came on as set off to Spain in January, carried on and put up with it till home in March. Bought code reader and code is BO100- error inside control unit.Sent to Crashdata for repair £79 inc post. Back in 2 days and OK for. Week then same problem again.Spoke to them and told must have a low voltage or spike issue and need to find that first or will continue to happen if they repair again or even if I fit a new one. My usual garage is now fully open and he looked last week. Same fault code as I got. Interestingly he has replaced about 6 of these this year. All on fiat based motorhomes, 2013 to 2015.He has never done one twice and believes the original unit was over sensitive and was improved. ( they will never admit that) New unit ordered and should be fitted in next few days. Unit cost is approx £165 plus vat and fitting.
Cheers
Bernie
 
On my 2015 Ducato the air bag ecu failed when there was just enough power to start but it was obvious battery was struggling so charged it but it was apparent it was shot so replaced it. Plugged both my scanners in, both failed to communicate got a friend to try with Fiat specific factory level scanner, same result. Sent ecu to Crashdata they got same result and not repairable. They supplied a genuine replacement that superceded the original. we were able to reconfigure new fo the vehicle with ease, I use a Peugeot commercial specialist and most of the non engine electronics the same. I gather there was a run of less than brilliant ecu during 2013 to end of Euro 5 production.

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Took my MH for an MOT weekend before lockdown. Although it started without hesitation I had the same problem.
on way to MOT centre, parked and switched off ignition. Didn’t cure it, switched off, locked it, waited, unlocked it and on re-start fault cleared. 👍
 
My experience is same as Larby's.MH stood since November.Engine started ok but Airbag light came on.Drove for approx 20 min on dual carriageway.Light still on.Stopped for 5 mins.When starting again light went off and stayed off.
So suggest you go for a run to charge battery up and see what happens.You have nothing to lose.
 
MR. FUSION said:
Hi all, my moho has been in barn storage for 7 months, the engine has been run and it has been moved around a few times ( only a few meters) . I noticed now the airbag warning light has come on, when it was not on when it went into storage!
Any common issues I can look for (or parts to change) in the first instance before taking it to a garage ???? FIAT 2.3 Ducato 2015.
Thanks for any help.
Click to expand...

Just been through this whole sorry tale. Drop me a PM and a phone number and I will go through it with you.
 
Asuume FIAT?. If so there is a long history of similar issues, NOT just Ducato`s. I have a Punto, which "Dumps" the PAS (electric) at the drop of a Hat. Fiat Forum (Good Information source BTW). Indicates that one issue is "dying" batteries. The voltage allegedly drops far enough to trigger an error, not helped in my case by being parked up for Days/Weeks on end!. I now have a small Solar panel in the front window facing South, which seems to help?.
 
Thanks to everyone in this thread especially Dorset diver for their help. I used the recommended icarsoft to clear the fault code which was something like: driver seatbelt open circuit, could have been the pre tensioner. So far it has not come back after reset :) I cant find any cable chaffing does anyone know what else that could be ???? The icarsoft reader was nice to use, I worked out 2014 in the fiat menu option means x290.....hopefully, anyway nice bit of kit.

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Last edited:
Dorset Diver said:
MR. FUSION Pleased it all worked out with a reset. Did you buy the icarsoft OBDII unit?
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Yes, I did, the reset procedure was straightforward but I found the instruction manual a bit limited.I watched a YT video to get a better idea of how it was going to work.
 
Well done@Mr.FUSION I am relieved to hear you have sorted the Airbag EGR problem, and saved some dosh by doing it yourself. (y)
Fiat Professional reviews on here are not looking very good, people being charged loads of money with the fault reoccurring, then being charged again to replace what should have been replaced or sussed out in the first place.
Reading this thread with airbag EGR problems, can someone please explain why if the engine was attempted to be started with a low battery, it should cause the airbag EGR to need to be removed, sent off for repair, then may even need replacing completely? How can that be justified by Fiat?
That like a lot of things on a Fiat, especially dodgy sensors going all the time, does not make any sense to me.
I would be scared now to disconnect the cab battery, might end up causing loads of problems:eek:
Thanks for any explanation.
LES
 
MR. FUSION said:
Thanks to everyone in this thread especially Dorset diver for their help. I used the recommended icarsoft to clear the fault code which was something like: driver seatbelt open circuit, could have been the pre tensioner. So far it has not come back after reset :) I cant find any cable chaffing does anyone know what else that could be ???? The icarsoft reader was nice to use, I worked out 2014 in the fiat menu option means x290.....hopefully, anyway nice bit of kit.
Click to expand...
I’ve been waiting for your results as our airbag light has come on too but not due to low battery as I think the solar panel and battery master been doing their jobs. More likely to have been when hubby removed the plastic trim cover to add air vents to the comformatic foot rest. In order to remove the foot rest he says he had to jiggle and remove the central cover under which there are lots of things. The airbag light only came on after he did this. 2015 Ducato.
Sounds like worth purchasing this device.
Considering otherwise just leaving it till MOT and service time in November.
 
It happens to all vehicles. Just go to one of the website for the companies that repair ECUs and clusters and you can see that. But on a motorhome forum where Sevel vans have a substantial market share,you see more issues related to them, compounded by the fact that motorhomes not being regularly used suffer more flat and low battery problems than a van or car being driven every day.

The airbag ECU isn't manufactured by Fiat. The same manufacturer makes various ECUs that can be found in many different vehicles including those you might consider uparket or prestige.

But all modern vehicles contain networks of mini computers. They have to start up properly when you turn on the ignition and be allowed to shut down properly whe you turn it off and lock the vehicle.

Shut your PC down tonight, and when you switch it back on tomorrow, pull the plug out of the wall socket whilst it's still booting. See what the chances are of it booting properly on the next attempt. Not much different to trying to turn over an engine with. severely low battery and cutting the power to the ECUs in the process. Is it any wonder that the memory occasionally becomes corrupted?

I was going to mention owners fiddling with the electrical systems too, but decided not to. However, Riverbankannie has covered that quite eloquently whilst I was typing!

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