Fiat airbag ecu problems

[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

 

[Phill D]

I believe that The problem with supply of airbag ecu, was mostly a problem for the newest of vans.
Which have a different part number to your and my 2012/13 model.

 

[DBop]

I had the sam issues with my car- it required a new ecu module… and thought to myself this will be expensive! I was fortunate the garage initially told me it was unrepairable but given time he fixed it. Throughout that time I was searching for a secondhand ecu module ( make sure you check the module part number before you purchase)

 

[Stealaway]

Talk to Crash Data in Liverpool. He's an helpful chap.

 

[Mikeco]

I went through all that a couple of months ago but did find a new one on eBay which cost around £220, I had to then send the old one and the new one to Crashdata to be paired up which cost another £120.

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[Tea Bag]

Hi.
What if the light didn't light when being MOT'd ? Quick fix...." Blow " the bulb ? Are there any Fail/safe systems that would flag this up at MOT ?
Tea Bag

 

[pops]

My Pilote is a 2013, same problem none in the country. Ford could not communicate with the ecu module so sent it to crashdata same answer. Left it in the house for a week, recharge van battery and refitted the ecu module and bingo everything working ok. Been away on four day trips and still ok.

 

[Spriddler]

Hi.
What if the light didn't light when being MOT'd ? Quick fix...." Blow " the bulb ? Are there any Fail/safe systems that would flag this up at MOT ?
Tea Bag

For the MOT the light has to illuminate when the ignition is turned on and extinguish afterwards.
(Yes, I suppose you could fudge it with a timer).

 

[chaser]

I suppose you have wriggled the wires under the seat

 

[Stealaway]

Hi.
What if the light didn't light when being MOT'd ? Quick fix...." Blow " the bulb ? Are there any Fail/safe systems that would flag this up at MOT ?
Tea Bag

I doubt if the testers would notice it was out. But it's an led not a bulb. I suppose you could cover it with plasticine if you can get to it.

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[Spriddler]

I doubt if the testers would notice it was out. But it's an led not a bulb. I suppose you could cover it with plasticine if you can get to it.

I don't think they have to 'notice' as it's a mandatory check.
Mind you, as I've discovered, there are testers and testers.

 

[Stealaway]

I don't think they have to 'notice' as it's a mandatory check.
Mind you, as I've discovered, there are testers and testers.

I think it will just be another light that's not on.
Although I do take my van to Blind Eric

 

[gus-lopez]

Hi.
What if the light didn't light when being MOT'd ? Quick fix...." Blow " the bulb ? Are there any Fail/safe systems that would flag this up at MOT ?
Tea Bag

(Yes, I suppose you could fudge it with a timer).

Yes you can wire an adjustable timer relay into the light wire so that it comes on as it should & then goes off after 3 or 4 seconds. Solves the problem until you can fix the ecu

 

[Spriddler]

I think it will just be another light that's not on.
Although I do take my van to Blind Eric

I had a plumber installing central heating in my house many years ago. His boss phoned my landline and asked to speak to 'Leaky Stuart'.

 

[Tea Bag]

I suppose you have wriggled the wires under the seat

Hi.
I am.... SO GLAD !!! You are not a " Virgin........................................................ Atlantic 747 captain "..... . I will have a word with the BBC about giving you a Prime time slot of One Hour... Lets call it.... " ALL our Yesterdays ? ",i haven't used that trick since i parked up a two stroke Commer in the early 60's. Nice try, NO CIGAR !!
Tea Bag. ( Fellow Luddite )

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[Tea Bag]

speak to 'Leaky Stuart'.

hi.
Two welders at a Tipper haulage co. Codge and Bodge..True,and if you wanted to find " Lud.." .Follow the ring of a sledge hammer !!
Tea Bag.

 

[chaser]

Hi.
I am.... SO GLAD !!! You are not a " Virgin........................................................ Atlantic 747 captain "..... . I will have a word with the BBC about giving you a Prime time slot of One Hour... Lets call it.... " ALL our Yesterdays ? ",i haven't used that trick since i parked up a two stroke Commer in the early 60's. Nice try, NO CIGAR !!
Tea Bag. ( Fellow Luddite )

Love the roar of a commer two stroke

 

[PJGWiltshire]

Had my Airbag/Seat belt ECU fail back in May. Simon the Service manager at Fiat Adam Morley Portsmouth ordered the part after I was initially informed non in UK due to Covid issues. Three weeks later part in. £250 brand new plus fitting and VAT. Yes I looked to send it off for the ECU to be reset but no guarantee that it would solve the issue. This now has 12 mths warranty. Simon at the time said that he had about 6 vans waiting for ECUs, all these failures were soon after lock down finished in March April. All paid for by the warranty company amongst the other claims post lock down start up.

 

[Delboyarapaho]

I had same issues and Crashdata sorted mine out for under £90

 

[tonyidle]

Hi.
What if the light didn't light when being MOT'd ? Quick fix...." Blow " the bulb ? Are there any Fail/safe systems that would flag this up at MOT ?
Tea Bag

Yes. It has to illuminate when the key is turned then extinguish within a few seconds.

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[TinaLes]

Edit Wrong thread
LES

 

[dle54]

I’ve already written about this issue in previous posts. My 2014 Fiat ducatto did the same thing, red warning light, still drivable, mot failure £350+ for new unit including fitting. Haven’t yet driven on a ”long” journey so I know have everything crossed…. Almost a fiat call back???

 

[steve69]

I used a piece of black insulating tape to cover the warning light. Cost?...negligible. It passed the MOT nonetheless. I'll see what happens next time.

 

[dle54]

Lucky you, an offence for you and the MOT testing centre, invalidates your insurance as data of ecu failure will be investigated and is logged in ecu chip…

 

[gus-lopez]

Lucky you, an offence for you and the MOT testing centre, invalidates your insurance as data of ecu failure will be investigated and is logged in ecu chip…

Why? as long as the tape removed in event of a claim the owner just denies knowledge of light being on or even knowing what it is?
I once owned a vehicle for 7 years & it wasn't until just before i sold it that I found none of the airbags sensors were in place?

This is also why "are there any modifications ?" question has to be answered with " I have no idea, it is is what it was when I bought it & if it has any modifications from original I have no idea what they are?" is the correct answer.

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[dle54]

Wrongs never make a right no matter how you delude yourself.