Fiat airbag ecu module problem

[GlynandAnn]

Hi all,

My Swift Sundance was manufactured in 2013 on Fiat Ducato base vehicle.
A few weeks ago the airbag warning light came on. An electrics specialist company in Somerset identified an airbag ecu module error. They informed me no new replacements were available in Europe! Brexit? Pandemic? Suez blockage?
They sent it to a company who said they could fix issue for £146. On return it worked for 10 minutes, then another warning came up. It was sent back and this time returned as unrepairable.
Motorhome is drivable with no airbag, but will fail MOT - which is due in 2 weeks!
I seem to be stuck with limited or no options.
Any ideas welcome.

Glyn

 

[chatteris]

would a a secondhand unit from another vehicle need to be reprogramed to suit your vehiclee

 

[Phill D]

Any ecu that was not original to the vehicle has to be what Fiat call proxi allinged. Coded to suit..

 

[Anjistar]

When I had this problem earlier in the year, Coastal Motorhomes were the only company who got hold of any of these sensor units in three months, so it might pay to keep an eye on their web site. The reason is partly pandemic - factory in Italy closed over lockdown, causing a backlog, followed by a fire at said factory. Now, of, course, Brexit may have served up a double whammy to that.
I assume the company they sent it to was Crashdata? I got the new unit from CM and sent it to Crashdata who made sure it would work with my van as they kept hold of the old one.

 

[Mikeco]

I managed to buy a new one on eBay for £215, I then had to send the new one and the old one to Crashdata to be paired up, that cost another £120.
Might be worthwhile looking on eBay you never know.

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[MR. FUSION]

I managed to buy a new one on eBay for £215, I then had to send the new one and the old one to Crashdata to be paired up, that cost another £120.
Might be worthwhile looking on eBay you never know.

Yes, I got mine off ebay, there is a Polish firm that sent a secondhand one with my correct part number (there are many different numbers) with a coding for 2+2 airbag & pre tensioners. Currently impossible to get new 2014+ X290 ones, coastal motorhomes have a few new pre 2014 X250 ones on Ebay. Have not fitted mine yet so can't comment on if it works. But better than nothing. If you do fit it yourself disconnect the battery for at least 30 mins before touching anything.

 

[SpeedyDux]

ECU failing a second time indicates that the starter battery might no longer be adequate due to old age, and should be replaced immediately even if it still starts. Otherwise the next ECU will be hit by a voltage drop when you start the engine, and go SNAFU.

 

[chaser]

Have you tried getting under the seat and giving the wires a good old wriggle, my Renault light comes on about every 300 miles, I just reach down and have a ferk about and it goes off again for another 300

 

[pappajohn]

2. Supplementary Restraint Systems (SRS) lamps​

When testing SRS MIL (Malfunction Indicator Light) lamps we are only looking to see if the lamp indicates if there is a fault with the system. If no lamp is present or it doesn’t illuminate then it can’t indicate a system fault, so it can’t be failed. Some vehicles may also incorporate warning messages on dash board displays; these are in addition to any MIL lamps and should not be used as a reason for rejection

https://mattersoftesting.blog.gov.uk/common-mistakes-made-by-mot-testers/

Remove or cover the relevant light within the cluster.
Fix when modules become available.

I covered the TPMS warning light with a little bit of bluetak over the LED.

 

[MR. FUSION]

2. Supplementary Restraint Systems (SRS) lamps​

When testing SRS MIL (Malfunction Indicator Light) lamps we are only looking to see if the lamp indicates if there is a fault with the system. If no lamp is present or it doesn’t illuminate then it can’t indicate a system fault, so it can’t be failed. Some vehicles may also incorporate warning messages on dash board displays; these are in addition to any MIL lamps and should not be used as a reason for rejection

https://mattersoftesting.blog.gov.uk/common-mistakes-made-by-mot-testers/

Remove or cover the relevant light within the cluster.
Fix when modules become available.

I covered the TPMS warning light with a little bit of bluetak over the LED.

I notice that blog was from 2015, do you think that advice to MOT testers is still currrent? But that does seem to be a last chance saloon loophole if things don't work out !!

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