When things go wrong

kelv

kelv

LIFE MEMBER
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Jun 23, 2014
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leicester
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Carthago 145
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After not using my motorhome for 4 weeks due to work we booked a weekend at York loaded motorhome got halfway down the road and noticed I had 3 lights on the dash airbag light,seatbelt light and a yellow light that I think is passenger airbag.
Decided to carry on to York and have a look there with no joy as to what has caused them to come on.
Determined it will not spoil our weekend we went out for a few beers on our return shock horror I’ve lost the keys main starter key, hab key door keys and alarm key.
Retraced steps back to half a dozen pubs no joy they are lost rang the aa who gained entry by the window in about 2 mins I always keep a spare set of keys hidden in the van so no problems getting home.
Next morning started van all dashboard lights still on and now the mileage reader is flashing.
Glad to get back home I have no idea what a new key costs or how much I am going to have to fork out to sort the instrument problems out as I say when things go wrong they go wrong.
 
Can't help with any advice but really bad luck. Hope you get sorted soon.
 
If it’s a Fiat there is a well known fault with the instrument cluster if under warranty take it to Fiat, if you search on here for instrument cluster fault there’s loads of advice.(y)(y)
 
Is it on a Fiat base?

Our airbag light came on for no apparent reason once but we were selling the van and the dealer sorted it out for us. It’s like everything these days I think - too high tech.

I would be sorely tempted to ignore the lights.
 
there are problems reported on line (google it ) with the Airbag control units that tend to "go to sleep" after a lay up. I am sure there are more knowledgeable members than i about this.

the odometer flashing indicates a canbus communication issue and is likely related as the airbag control unit is failing to communicate with relevant systems.

May not solve the issue; but try disconnecting the main cab battery for 30 minutes then reconnect, this can sometimes reset the relevant electronic bits...

the dash warning light issue is a problem but does not normally cause the odometer to flash.

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Check all wiring UNDER the seats.
Seat occupancy and belt latch sensors are under there as are wires for seat belt pre tensioner if fitted.... All part of the SRS system.
A wire may have become trapped or a plug undone.
Can't help with flashing odometer.
 
Chris said:
Is it on a Fiat base?

Our airbag light came on for no apparent reason once but we were selling the van and the dealer sorted it out for us. It’s like everything these days I think - too high tech.

I would be sorely tempted to ignore the lights.
Click to expand...
Yes it’s a fiat base on a 64 plated Hymer
 
Phill D said:
there are problems reported on line (google it ) with the Airbag control units that tend to "go to sleep" after a lay up. I am sure there are more knowledgeable members than i about this.

the odometer flashing indicates a canbus communication issue and is likely related as the airbag control unit is failing to communicate with relevant systems.

May not solve the issue; but try disconnecting the main cab battery for 30 minutes then reconnect, this can sometimes reset the relevant electronic bits...

the dash warning light issue is a problem but does not normally cause the odometer to flash.
Click to expand...

Ours had been unused for about 6 weeks come to think of it when the light came on.
 
Chris said:
Ours had been unused for about 6 weeks come to think of it when the light came on.
Click to expand...

i had a similar problem last march after a 6 week lay up. I was lucky i have the FIAT software on my laptop. so was able to see the problem with the Airbag control unit but could not reset it via laptop. the disconnect of the battery as a last resort before considering a dealer worked for me.
but i know it is not a cure all and does not always help.
papajohn is right about checking all the wiring under the seats as that too can result in canbus comms issues.

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Kelv

Just on the lost key issue.

We like you keep a full set of keys secreted in the MH.

When out I have the normal full set in my pocket, but Basia also has just a spare Habitation key in her wallet. Theory being we are unlikely to lose both and we would have access to get to secreted spare set.

Just a tip.

Geoff
 
nicholsong said:
Kelv

Just on the lost key issue.

We like you keep a full set of keys secreted in the MH.

When out I have the normal full set in my pocket, but Basia also has just a spare Habitation key in her wallet. Theory being we are unlikely to lose both and we would have access to get to secreted spare set.

Just a tip.

Geoff
Click to expand...
I agree good idea lesson learned the spare key does not open the doors by remote it’s just a key bet the dealer will charge the earth for a remote key.
 
kelv said:
I agree good idea lesson learned the spare key does not open the doors by remote it’s just a key bet the dealer will charge the earth for a remote key.
Click to expand...

But it gets you in to retrieve the spare full set.

For remote keys go on the internet - there are other suppliers. I don't know names as we do not have remote.
 
kelv said:
Thanks I think mine is only two button lock
Click to expand...
I would contact the seller as they are specialists and probably also have access to the 2 button remote
 
you can get an airbag ecu from Fiat for around £160. i had a quote for one from local Fiat Professional dealer, and its straight forward to replace with a little care; i.e. disconnecting the battery first.
the main issue you will have is resetting the ecu and codes. I guess thats where the other £220 comes from. still a rip off as its less than an hours work all in.
 
Update
Just had the costs for replacement keys Fiat dealer costs, key £214 + codes £31 + coding the new key £108 total £353.
Replacement alarm fob £80.
Still need to check under seat for any loose wires re airbag light.

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kelv said:
Update
Just had the costs for replacement keys Fiat dealer costs, key £214 + codes £31 + coding the new key £108 total £353.
Replacement alarm fob £80.
Still need to check under seat for any loose wires re airbag light.
Click to expand...


lets us know of the outcme of the warning lights please. be interested to know...
 
Phill D said:
lets us know of the outcme of the warning lights please. be interested to know...
Click to expand...
Will due
Just tried another main fiat dealer for keys and £80 cheaper
 
kelv said:
Update
Just had the costs for replacement keys Fiat dealer costs, key £214 + codes £31 + coding the new key £108 total £353.
Replacement alarm fob £80.
Still need to check under seat for any loose wires re airbag light.
Click to expand...

you might not have wires under your seat
 
Phill D said:
lets us know of the outcme of the warning lights please. be interested to know...
Click to expand...
After testing by fiat ecu needed to be replaced completed today after a ten day wait for part total cost £336
 
tonyidle said:
Or around £40 s/h off eBay?
Click to expand...
But they need programming into the vehicle and cant be changed once set without reflashing the firmware. Thats why getting an airbag ecu refurbished is better than buying one from a breakers yard
 
TheBig1 said:
But they need programming into the vehicle and cant be changed once set without reflashing the firmware. Thats why getting an airbag ecu refurbished is better than buying one from a breakers yard
Click to expand...
I changed one on my Mother's Seat Ibitha. The seller I dealt with went to great lengths to ensure I understood that it needed to be identical to the faulty one down to the /digits after the part number. I bought it, installed it, it worked perfectly. I can't for the life of me understand why the engine ECU would need to be re-programmed - there's normally no link between the two other than a parallel connection to the CANBUS. As an aside I took the lid off the faulty one. To do so required removal of one screw that seemed to be rather loose. When I got inside I noticed the the screw also trapped the circuit board main ground against the metal base of the unit. With screw tightened I re-installed it and it too worked perfectly. That would have been a very expensive main dealer repair for what turned out to be a loose screw. All I'd wasted was £30 for the eBay one.
 
No, not the engine ECU,the airbag ECU control module needs pairing to the system.
 
Ouch, a painful experience but, the beauty of our forum is that we share this info & can ask each other about issues we encounter.
 

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