ECU failures

[the1andonly]

There seems to be a continual flood/ trickle of threads relating to ECU being killed that appear to be by low voltages. I have my SB on trickle charge from my Votronics solar charger. Registered in 18 but manufactered in NOV 16 , is SB now 5 years old.
HOW MUCH OF A problem is it 5% of Motorhomes 20%? Not known in White van world, no standing around.
There are plenty of folk with a lot more knowlege than me but if ECU are so sensitive to voltage why don't we have a separate battery to power ECUs and connected to main battery/ charging system when engine running. Is such a system available as a retrofit / feasible or just daft?

 

[Speve]

Excuse my ignorance but what is SB?

 

[deleted79651]

my ignorance but what is SB?

Starter Battery, I think. Sorry, I started reply in wrong place, so circumsized your question!

Steve

 

[ivorantony]

Starter Battery, I think. Sorry, I started reply in wrong place, so circumsized your question!

Steve

Painful

 

[Speve]

Starter Battery, I think. Sorry, I started reply in wrong place, so circumsized your question!

Steve

Thanks marchie i think my brains gone blank should have guessed that

There are plenty of folk with a lot more knowlege than me but if ECU are so sensitive to voltage why don't we have a separate battery to power ECUs and connected to main battery/ charging system when engine running. Is such a system available as a retrofit / feasible or just daft?

Surely most Motorhomes do have leisure batteries as well as starter batteries and a split charger or Battery to Battery charger that deals with both via alternator or solar as required mine does

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[deleted79651]

Painful

It is, but, if you have any concerns, I can send you a few tips ...

Steve

 

[the1andonly]

Surely most Motorhomes do have leisure batteries as well as starter batteries and a split charger or Battery to Battery charger that deals with both via alternator or solar as required mine does

I think you have missed the point of the question.
Nothing to to do with LB lesuire or hab battery.
The question pherhaps badly phrased relates to using a regulated supply for ECU s to prevent premature failure of body , abs air bag ecus.

 

[SpeedyDux]

There seems to be a continual flood/ trickle of threads relating to ECU being killed that appear to be by low voltages. I have my SB on trickle charge from my Votronics solar charger. Registered in 18 but manufactered in NOV 16 , is SB now 5 years old.
HOW MUCH OF A problem is it 5% of Motorhomes 20%? Not known in White van world, no standing around.
There are plenty of folk with a lot more knowlege than me but if ECU are so sensitive to voltage why don't we have a separate battery to power ECUs and connected to main battery/ charging system when engine running. Is such a system available as a retrofit / feasible or just daft?

We are not told what percentage of FIAT MHs in the UK have had airbag ECU module faults. What became significant was a shortage of replacement modules, so we can infer that it is a bigger problem than FIAT will admit though complainers can get some ex-gratia redress. I've also seen threads about airbag ECU failures on a French MH forum, and there is a French equivalent of Crashdata fixing modules that are repairable. I haven't looked at the equivalent situation in other countries like Germany and Italy because my language skills are lacking, but it would be surprising if their MHs are immune.

My belt-and-braces approach now includes putting my PVC on hookup the day before I want to drive it, to ensure the starter battery is fully charged. Waiting until all the warning lights have gone out, and keeping fingers crossed when finally I turn the key in the ignition to the third position.

 

[the1andonly]

We are not told what percentage of FIAT MHs in the UK have had airbag ECU module faults. What became significant was a shortage of replacement modules, so we can infer that it is a bigger problem than FIAT will admit though complainers can get some ex-gratia redress. I've also seen threads about airbag ECU failures on a French MH forum, and there is a French equivalent ofwith multiecuscan Crashdata fixing modules that are repairable. I haven't looked at the equivalent situation in other countries like Germany and Italy because my language skills are lacking, but it would be surprising if their MHs are immune.

My belt-and-braces approach now includes putting my PVC on hookup the day before I want to drive it, to ensure the starter battery is fully charged. Waiting until all the warning lights have gone out, and keeping fingers crossed when finally I turn the key in the ignition to the third position.

Thanks for the info, as yet . i am more concerned a bit more than "other people are having this problem" due to having a wzrning on the dash display ( ne t time i might remember to take a picture) this has been whilst playing with cameras. Clear with multiecuscan, no problem untill ne t time (allready happened twice) . Battery always on trickle charge, so voltage Looks good (switched voltmeter in righthand cuby hole just above fuses)

 

[SpeedyDux]

Thanks for the info, as yet . i am more concerned a bit more than "other people are having this problem" due to having a wzrning on the dash display ( ne t time i might remember to take a picture) this has been whilst playing with cameras. Clear with multiecuscan, no problem untill ne t time (allready happened twice) . Battery always on trickle charge, so voltage Looks good (switched voltmeter in righthand cuby hole just above fuses)

I would be interested to know what your voltmeter reads while your starter motor is cranking a cold engine. Potentially that can show a significant voltage drop just as the airbag ECU is trying to communicate with the rest of the system, that might be responsible for a B0100-49 error code. [my theory]. A nominal 12.7v when there is no heavy current draw on the battery wouldn't tell enough about the true condition of an older battery.

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[the1andonly]

Unfortunately not a cold engine been out earlier.

Hoping it would show control module voltage ps this was torq. Alfa obd available if it helps