Fiat Ducato Airbag Warning Lights (again)

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Nov 22, 2018
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57,328
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Rimor Europeo 87
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Five years plus three tugging
I have searched though the forum, but nothing yet answers my question.
I have three lights on and it beeps intermittently
The lights are:
20240406_095559.jpg
20240406_095553.jpg


My questions are:
1) Is/are the airbags working in the event of a front ender, notwithstanding the warning lights?
2) The 'seatbelt' light is not correct as both seatbelts were securely fitted. Could this be a fault that affects the airbag system? Or could the airbags system cause the seatbelt light to be on?
3) Is there anyway to deactivate the passenger airbag manually? Like most cars can?
4) Is it a self fix, or Fiat Commercial job?

Thanks in advance.
 
Had a look at their website. OMG. Is it in Greek?
Laptop. Tick
Download free version. Tick
Lead set. Which one?!! What "type" is my Ducato? 250? 290? God knows!
what year x290 2015 on.


simplest way to get what you need

Chapel : Chapel st leonards
Maybo: Mablethorpe
 
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I'm not sure I believe that low volts causes the ECU to fail as it appears that only the rouges that claim to repair ECU's spout this theory.
But if replacing the ECU at £500 it's probably worth spending £100 on a battery if the old one is a few years old.
I'm not sure I believe that low volts causes the ECU to fail, totally agree. From my analysis of the failure trends i believe it is design related as the newer replacement are not as susseptable and the voltages stated as an issue are what should be expected in a vehicle environment, if they cant cope they should have been designed with better voltage regulation (this problem has been well known since 2012. From samples that have been dismantled we can see water damage (and poor earth contacts). whether this is just damage due to short circuits or a failure mechanism analogous to popcorning i don't know. (popcorning is a failure mechanism seen during manufacture of electronic circuits and is normally a thermal process.) My own 2017 has not bust a ECU and earlier in year changed the battery as on two occassions it failed to start (generaly permamently charged by Votronics duo mppt)
 
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I didn't know about waiting for the lights to go out.
yes recommended on any vehicle. Some are far more prone to fluctuations than others , Fiat being one.My transit I always wait but It is not affected by low voltage & not waiting either if in a rush.
On the fiat when replacing an ecu I'd also add another new ,clean earth wire.
 
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If your cab battery is knackered, and then kills the airbag sensor ECU, is it fixed by simply changing the battery, or is the ECU knackered for good? Do I need a new battery as well? Isn't the new ECU going to die in a few weeks time, if the battery is still old and crap?

My non-expert analysis is that the voltage drop caused when the old cab battery is cranking the engine (down to as low as 9 volts) results in a sudden voltage spike (maybe a jump to 14.4 volts) from the alternator when the engine does start. That voltage spike scrambles the EEPROM inside the ECU module. Resulting in that BO100-49 fault code.

We can but hope that later versions of this ECU module have cured its voltage sensitivity.

The fact that a weak starter battery is still capable of starting the diesel engine may mislead us into a false sense of security. If in doubt, get a new cab battery. Charge it up fully as a precaution before your next journey.

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That is excellent advice. Many thanks.

I didn't know about waiting for the lights to go out. New routine from now on.
I have a multimeter and will check the starter battery today. What should it be?
I think from memory that the solar puts 90 or even 95% into the leisure battery, I probably need to even that out more between leisure and cab.
I now always wait for lights to go out and the issue appears to have resolved itself.
I have also fitted an isolator to the 12v neg lead at battery to prevent battery drain.
 
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I now always wait for lights to go out and the issue appears to have resolved itself.
I have also fitted an isolator to the 12v neg lead at battery to prevent battery drain.
Not good to leave battery disconnected for any length of time it can cause problems.
 
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Not according to Fiat's instruction manual.
Can be purchased as an accessory.
Must be ok on fiats then .,so long as you have the radio code.Knowing how temperamental things like adblue and body ecu are on my van and wanting to keep the alarm on it's not something I'll be doing,not that I need to the solar keeps all batteries fully charged all winter .
Hope you have come to an end of your airbag ECU problems
 
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I now always wait for lights to go out and the issue appears to have resolved itself.
After a couple of Airbag ECU failures Crashdata suggested unit was unstable and recommended a new one. I declined and unit worked and got my MOT. Had 2 more MOTs since then and NOW I ALWAYS wait for lights on dash to go out, (even when I stalled it once so battery would be charged).
I said always, well yes until last week, I had to move van forward as in the way, had just been used, got in turned key and beeps started. 🤬
Got on my nerves on way back to storage so stopped and removed unit.
So have reset or buy new and offset cost by £80 to not having old one reset (and maybe again).
General opinion it seems new ECUs have different part number. Photo is my current one.
IMG_20240412_144958.jpg

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After a couple of Airbag ECU failures Crashdata suggested unit was unstable and recommended a new one. I declined and unit worked and got my MOT. Had 2 more MOTs since then and NOW I ALWAYS wait for lights on dash to go out, (even when I stalled it once so battery would be charged).
I said always, well yes until last week, I had to move van forward as in the way, had just been used, got in turned key and beeps started. 🤬
Got on my nerves on way back to storage so stopped and removed unit.
So have reset or buy new and offset cost by £80 to not having old one reset (and maybe again).
General opinion it seems new ECUs have different part number. Photo is my current one.
View attachment 884913
8080 is an old number but up until 2022 I believe. 58303 is a number post that which I believe is the new number.
I can’t believe there may be completely different modules for the newer Ducato.m so likely interchangeable.
 
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Just had a look Neo Brothers on eBay have what appears to be a full range of genuine fiat ECU 's £180 ,£230,+ 1 for very early model £350
 
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I asked Neo Brothers if items are as new as shown and that they are genuine Fiat parts
They replied:

Screenshot 2024-04-12 16.19.12.png
Screenshot 2024-04-12 16.15.05.png

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Haven't. Used neo but their listings are superb all part numbers listed very comprehensive I first noticed them when looking for adblue tank same very detailed listings and way below others in price
 
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My numbers are

DWG Fiat 01393755080
SN 00175
Supplier 93977 – D219
Date 22/05/18

I'm getting a new one fitted next month. Are the 2023 versions much more proof against the bad battery issue?
 
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That's got me suspicious, same DRW No. as your one and it has Euro5 written on it.
Mine is a Euro 5.
The number 000 468 58203 is for 2015 on. It replaces 01390298080 if you search it.
 
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I have come across ECU testing. My sons use them for repairs to main ECUs.
Twice the price of repair, half the cost of new but rebuilt, not reset.

 
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I had a fairly new battery so my fault wasn't caused by low power, however, as I was due to go away 10 days later, I opted to have a new unit, supplied and programmed by Crashdata, guaranteed for 2 years and delivered within 48 hours at a total cost of £388.
 
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UPDATE
Went to Apex Motorhomes in Mereworth, Kings Hill, Kent. Happy to give them a shout out. The owner Tom is an extraordinarily knowledgeable guy, who while there, also diagnosed the problems with our aircon. He does everything for motorhomes except MOT, major bodywork and Comfortmatic fluid change (who does apart from Fiat?)

He tested our battery and told me it needed replacing as it was almost certainly the cause of the sensor going bang. It was the original 6 year old battery.

New sensor unit, £231.75 incl VAT
Labour and program to vehicle, £100.08 incl VAT
Total £331.83

New cab battery supply and fit, £166.45 incl VAT

All very close to the prices that some of you have suggested.
 
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UPDATE
Went to Apex Motorhomes in Mereworth, Kings Hill, Kent. Happy to give them a shout out. The owner Tom is an extraordinarily knowledgeable guy, who while there, also diagnosed the problems with our aircon. He does everything for motorhomes except MOT, major bodywork and Comfortmatic fluid change (who does apart from Fiat?)

He tested our battery and told me it needed replacing as it was almost certainly the cause of the sensor going bang. It was the original 6 year old battery.

New sensor unit, £231.75 incl VAT
Labour and program to vehicle, £100.08 incl VAT
Total £331.83

New cab battery supply and fit, £166.45 incl VAT

All very close to the prices that some of you have suggested.

My airbag warning light came on again last month despite my precautions. GRRR. :mad:

I am going to get a new FIAT ECU module fitted by the Fiat Professional workshop when my PVC goes there for the annual service and MOT later this month. I am also asking them to fit a new starter battery because the existing one is losing charge significantly, despite being only 3 years old. I am expecting a big bill so I will refer to some of the prices mentioned on this thread, as ammo to challenge any excessive items. Thanks in advance to other helpful Funsters! (y)

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