Check Airbag Warning, can I still drive the van?

[Langtoftlad]

As some of you might know, I've not used the van this year because I couldn't face it without Kerry who I unexpectedly had to put to sleep in January.

So, I noticed today the control panel was reporting the vehicle battery a very low charge
I admittedly have been very remiss about putting the van on hook up.

The engine fired up straight away, 1st time [after I remembered to disable the MetaTrack] but I got the dreaded "Check Airbag" warning.

I'm presuming I've knackered the module due to the low vehicle battery.

I know Crashdata* will repair said module for about £85 but I don't have the tools to remove it.
[*and apparently the fault can reappear]

Apart from spending a lot of money at Citroen, what are my immediate options?
Can I drive it with [safely] with the warning?
If so for how long
I understand it's an MOT fail.

I'm having some maintenance done at the end of August [new leisure batteries & fridge 240v element], so could it wait until then?
As the 7 yrs old leisure batteries are being replaced, would it make sense to also replace the vehicle battery?

The van is on hook up now, so I'll see what the voltages are in 24/48h

 

[Phill D]

Yes you can drive with the airbag warning light on , I drove around most of a France trip as it came on part way through.
No issues, I don’t think it’s the best idea to drive with the module removed but not sure.

 

[oldiesontour]

If you look on eBay neo brothers do the ECU from £160 (genuine part) new if in any doubt contact seller and they will tell you which one you want,any decent garage should be able to fit and code (20 min job) fairly sure the older ones have been superceded with a new part number

 

[dunnah01]

You can drive it but don't crash it at any sort of speed as the airbags won't deploy. If the vehicle battery is as old as the leisure batteries then you may as well change that whilst it's having the other work done

 

[oldiesontour]

Again best to get your own battery (S). And let garage fit them again eBay Tayna batteries..next day free delivery & likely to be much less than a garage will charge

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[meanders]

When ours appeared when we were parked outside Tesco at Shepton Mallet just before going into the showground two or three years ago, I rang Fiat Camper Support from the car park who told me it was fine to drive and to get it checked out when home, and also that it it might clear itself. We did the show, then drove home with it on. (approx 220 miles). Parked it up, emptied out all the laundry etc. Went back to it a couple of days later having rung our garage who asked me to check the mileage. Turned it on, and started it up .... No light.

 

[Landy Andy]

Yes it is fine to drive with light on. You just won’t have airbags that work. Possibly you only have a steering wheel one anyway, so no difference for the passenger. It will be like the old days (or everyday for me) where you just don’t have an airbag.

 

[Langtoftlad]

If you look on eBay neo brothers do the ECU from £160 (genuine part) new if in any doubt contact seller and they will tell you which one you want,any decent garage should be able to fit and code (20 min job) fairly sure the older ones have been superceded with a new part number

Just been & had a look at the Neo Brothers website:
Appears I have a choice of two, one at £300, one at £150

I've watched Youtube so I think I can get at it to hopefully take a photo to reveal the part number.

 

[oldiesontour]

Just been & had a look at the Neo Brothers website:
Appears I have a choice of two, one at £300, one at £150

I've watched Youtube so I think I can get at it to hopefully take a photo to reveal the part number

What year is your van ?

 

[tonka]

Ref tools it's only 1 socket / spanner. 10mm I think ( but check).
3 bolts to remove and 2 clip on connectors. Plus recommended to remove battery negative before starting replacement.

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[Gellyneck]

I know Crashdata* will repair said module for about £85 but I don't have the tools to remove it.

After disconnecting the vehicle battery there are only three nuts to remove (sorry but can't remember the size).
Unplug the two connectors that are into the side of the ECU.
Lift it out.

[*and apparently the fault can reappear]

We got ours done by Crash Data back in March 2020 and we've been lucky with it still functioning (well, until I start it up tomorrow morning!)

I understand it's an MOT fail.

It is an MoT failure as it happened when I started it up to take it to the MoT centre!

edit: ps this is what it will look like.

Bottom left is one of the three bolts.
The other two are at the top (under the black insulation).
The two plugs are on the right.

 

[Bessy765]

Try disconnecting the battery from the earth terminal turn the ign on press brake pedal a couple of time as well as the lights on and off. So there is not any power in the system. Charge the battery fully then reconnect. Some faults will clear after 6 starts and no reoccurrence. Not saying this will fix it but it cost’s nothing to try.

 

[Gellyneck]

When ours appeared when we were parked outside Tesco at Shepton Mallet just before going into the showground two or three years ago, I rang Fiat Camper Support from the car park who told me it was fine to drive and to get it checked out when home, and also that it it might clear itself. We did the show, then drove home with it on. (approx 220 miles). Parked it up, emptied out all the laundry etc. Went back to it a couple of days later having rung our garage who asked me to check the mileage. Turned it on, and started it up .... No light.

We were the same but it came back about a month later!

 

[scotjimland]

I'm presuming I've knackered the module due to the low vehicle battery.

sorry, not advice.. best of luck having it repaired..

just amazed that a electronic module, critical to safety, can be irreparable damaged by low voltage.. hardly a rare occurrence..

very poor design IMV , or a just a clever way of Fiat making money

 

[meanders]

We were the same but it came back about a month later!

Will keep my fingers crossed then!

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[Branston]

Yes you can drive with the airbag warning light on , I drove around most of a France trip as it came on part way through.
No issues, I don’t think it’s the best idea to drive with the module removed but not sure.

Mine was removed and was told that it was ok to drive vehicle. Only annoying thing was millage reading flashed continuously. Did a fiver day trip like it.

 

[pagey]

little tip add an earth to the module when you fit it dead easy straight to the battery terminal

 

[Riverbankannie]

This thread has photos and instructions. Don’t want to jinx it, but ours repaired in 2020 by Crashdata

Passenger Airbag Fault

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...

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

 

[Langtoftlad]

Think I 'could' do it but simply don't have the tools.

Reassuring to know I can drive it albeit without Airbags
Reassuring to know I could drive it without the module

Reassurance that airbags can't deploy inadvertently ?

 

[Gellyneck]

Think I 'could' do it but simply don't have the tools.

Reassuring to know I can drive it albeit without Airbags
Reassuring to know I could drive it without the module

Reassurance that airbags can't deploy inadvertently ?

Much cheaper than getting garage to do it!

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[Langtoftlad]

Much cheaper than getting garage to do it!

Magnusson 1/4" Drive Standard Socket Set 40 Pieces - Screwfix

Order online at Screwfix.com. Standard socket set for loosening and tightening bolts or screws in motoring maintenance and general domestic use. Precision-ground hardened tool-grade chrome vanadium steel for extra strength and durability. Supplied in a carry case organiser. FREE next day...

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Cheaper even if I go where there's a well equipped funster
Trouble is, I'm not planning on going anywhere .

Plan F, if all else fails is a friend's son who has every tool under the sun.

Maintenance bods doing the other work, have replied to my email enquiry [gold for working on Saturday] but they've gone all technical about further tests etc etc​

But I do know that there is a TSB (Citroën technical service bulletin) for airbag fault and you have to replace the airbag and fit a new earth with e from the stud of the airbag ecu to an earth point.
The only problem is it will need to go on a diag machine to check if that's the problem then we will need to order the ecu, that can take weeks to come. Then fit.
Don't think I'll be doing that...

 

[Gellyneck]

Cheaper even if I go where there's a well equipped funster
Trouble is, I'm not planning on going anywhere .

It's called mobile technician seeking beer!

Plan F, if all else fails is a friend's son who has every tool under the sun.

Given the following I'd be moving it up the priority scale!

Maintenance bods doing the other work, have replied to my email enquiry [gold for working on Saturday] but they've gone all technical about further tests etc etc​

But I do know that there is a TSB (Citroën technical service bulletin) for airbag fault and you have to replace the airbag and fit a new earth with e from the stud of the airbag ecu to an earth point.
The only problem is it will need to go on a diag machine to check if that's the problem then we will need to order the ecu, that can take weeks to come. Then fit.
Don't think I'll be doing that...

 

[oldiesontour]

Much cheaper than getting garage to do it!

Magnusson 1/4" Drive Standard Socket Set 40 Pieces - Screwfix

Order online at Screwfix.com. Standard socket set for loosening and tightening bolts or screws in motoring maintenance and general domestic use. Precision-ground hardened tool-grade chrome vanadium steel for extra strength and durability. Supplied in a carry case organiser. FREE next day...

www.screwfix.com

Not really as new one needs alignment,time to remove/free edit 10 mins max

 

[Larby]

My solution after 3 failures

Well I used these. I show the bill and cost and their lifetime warranty. Unlike some that will not honour their work and want to charge again.

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