Have read all the other Airbag light threads and cant quite find what i'm looking for. Also, I'm a noob on this forum, so go easy on me. I'm not hugely technically capable either, but have managed a few fixes over the years of owning our Brava. (she's a '98, 1.6 SX with 180K odd kms, we've owned her since '02 when she had 43K kms on her)

Airbag light came on about a month ago, I reckon because of damp. The well below the windscreen / wipers was blocked and therefore full of water and was spilling into the heater-fan occasionally before I discovered it all and unblocked it. My mechanic did a diagnostic on it and said cant tell what the problem is exactly but said if we replace the ECU that might fix it. He said i could do the replacement myself, but I dont even know where the airbag ECU lives. Sounds, from reading these other airbag posts, that they are in different locations in the different models...
There's a 2000 model 1.6 Bravo at a wreckers here that is a 'help yourself' kinda place, so i'd need to get in and get the airbag ecu out of it myself, but again, cant find any details as to where it might be located.

So, my question to you knowledgeable forum, can somebody tell me - will the 2000 bravO airbag ecu work in my 1998 BravA, and if so, where can i find them?
Also, will i need to disconnect battery and leave for half an hour when making the swap.
And, if the Bravo's ecu is okay, is this likely to fix my problem? The car will not pass it's (MOT equivalent) Warrant of Fitness with the light on.

Thanks Heaps, look forwards to reading all your answers! Dont all clamour at once.
Cheers,
Richard - Christchurch NZ

The airbag ecu is situated in front of the gear lever under the centre console. It is easiest to just take the plastic centre console out as it is only held down with a few screws. It will be clear and does have written on it airbag ecu. You will have to disconnect the battery before removing to be safe. The airbag ecu has a part number printed on it which you will have to ensure marries up to the replacement part number. When refitting, ensure you bolt the ecu back in position before connecting the battery terminals.

My ecu was ruined by a leaking heater matrix.

Hope that helps....

98Brava said:

There's a 2000 model 1.6 Bravo at a wreckers here that is a 'help yourself' kinda place, so i'd need to get in and get the airbag ecu out of it myself, but again, cant find any details as to where it might be located.

So, my question to you knowledgeable forum, can somebody tell me - will the 2000 bravO airbag ecu work in my 1998 BravA, and if so, where can i find them?
Also, will i need to disconnect battery and leave for half an hour when making the swap.
And, if the Bravo's ecu is okay, is this likely to fix my problem? The car will not pass it's (MOT equivalent) Warrant of Fitness with the light on.

Thanks Heaps, look forwards to reading all your answers! Dont all clamour at once.
Cheers,
Richard - Christchurch NZ

Click to expand...

Hi Richard, and welcome to FF,

the "tunnel " under dash is a common place,
all the wiring tends to be BRIGHT YELLOW..,

yes - power off for at least 30 mins , safety is paramount

Charlie