Hi. I'm having an issue on my fiat 500 2009: airbag light is on without any accident, and the seat belt light as disappeared. Performed 4 electronic diagnosis on several auto electricians and there are no errors. Apparently it's necessary to replace every component until light goes off. It seems ridiculous. Can you help me?
Technical Urgent! Airbag light on without errors
- Thread starter XicoZe
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Technical Urgent! Airbag light on without errors
Have you tried using Fiat specific software IE MES/multiscan?
Check the simple things first like connections ?
Its not unknown for the display to fail, typically the air bag light and others flash in time with the indicator but its not impossible for a different cluster fault to keep the light on so this may also be an area to look too?
Don't randomly replace parts that you don't need to?
Has the car been to a Fiat main dealer for diagnosis even though this will cost more?
Check the simple things first like connections ?
Its not unknown for the display to fail, typically the air bag light and others flash in time with the indicator but its not impossible for a different cluster fault to keep the light on so this may also be an area to look too?
Don't randomly replace parts that you don't need to?
Has the car been to a Fiat main dealer for diagnosis even though this will cost more?
I would say that one of the seatbelt or pre tensioners is faulty or it could be the airbag ecu faulty, MultiECUScan will definitely show up a fault and will isolate which one it is. I see you’re in Portugal. Maybe someone nearby with MES.
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Yes. I too would recommend Multiecuscan. I would not trust the results from a generic scanner so much.
I don't like messing about with air bags and their wiring, but if you do decide to start checking connections etc (often the ones under the seats or which are affected by the seat being moved are suspect) Then be aware that there are capacitors in the system which need time to discharge. So, after disconnecting the battery, you need to wait for some time before touching anything or they may still activate.
We got a talk, in our garage, when air bags were first introduced, where we were advised to always stay "out of the firing line" when working on air bag systems - just in case! Estimates of how long to leave it vary somewhat so you are probably best to ask an auto electrician or someone who specializes in your make of car. It makes me so nervous that, on the few occasions I've done it, I've disconnected the battery the night before!
I also vote that you need Multiecuscan (MES) or a Fiat main dealer.
MES is €50 www.multiecuscan.net. You lso need a USB ELM327 interface that is "modified for multiecuscan" and a "Yellow (Number 3) adaptor lead.
You can buy a set of interface and adaptor like this one
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-Fiat...apters-Diagnostics-Multiecuscan/282526378637? but try to find a loacl seller. Avoid the very cheap interfaces (less than €15) as they often have a fault. The software runs on a PC, laptop is ideal, even a od one with windows XP will do.
Non Fiat specific code readers cannnot access the airbag diagnotic codes.
Robert G8RPI.
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Its also good practice to use a shorting plug across the disconnected airbag wires such static cannot go down one wire and out the other firing it, but these are rarely used.
I seem to remember a long time ago there might have been an issue with the passenger airbag switch. Either in the glovebox or on the end of the dash.
Might be an idea to search the forum. Might have been another model, like Panda, but worth a search.
Might be an idea to search the forum. Might have been another model, like Panda, but worth a search.
Hello John. Shorting plug? I like the idea of that but have never heard of it - mind you it's been many years since I worked, on the tools, in a professional capacity. Are we talking here of a dedicated plug in device or simply a bent paper clip (or similar). If it's an actual plug in you can buy I really fancy buying one as disconnected air bags (as in when removing a steering wheel) worry the pants off me! Anything which reduces the risk of accidentally firing one must be good.
regards
Jock
I change airbags a lot. I disconnect the battery and then earth myself before touching any connections.
Yes..
You now have most of the information
...Out of interest ..
when you turn on power.. what colour seatbelt and airbag warnings show?
And which ones disappear?
Charlie
Thank you all for your fast answers.
So far:
- i checked all seat connections. Aparently all are ok
- leave battery disconnected for 2 hours. No changes
- one of the diagnosis was made with BOSCH scaning tool. I was convenced this was the best tool scan
- i didn't went yet to Fiat main dealer. They propose 50€ just to diagnose and at least 3h to troubleshooting
- when i turn on power i have no light or warning sound for seatbelt and the airbag lights ON in RED and it stays allways this way independent of using or not the seatbelts
Some sugest:
- low battery (fail one). I will test tomorrow with a new battery
- ground fail at airbag ECU. I will remove it to see any visual defect
- CAN "contamination". Don't know how to troubleshoot
Next step:
- buy cables and software. As refere, the adaptor must be a modified one.
Can i buyng the one here linked with confidence that wil work?
One of this also works? OBD2 OBD USB Diagnostic KKL Lead with 4 way Switch: Amazon.co.uk: Car & Motorbike
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This post contains affiliate links which may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.
On my panda:
RED : Driver
YEllow
assengerIt is a primitive car.. no seat-curtain Airbags
But MES found where it had damaged wiring to the Isolator switch.
With YOUR 500:
I am amazed that:
1. There is only the 1 light
2. The Error is not visible.
I would be tempted to unplug something easily accessible.. under seat plug.
Then retest with the Bosch device.
There is something going on here.. did it find the ECU driving the Airbags..?
Or was it just a basic scanner?
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The red one will stay alight regardless of which one is faulty including seatbelts, pretensioners or any of the airbags.
They came standard in Honda accords they were beside the connector "Just in case there if you need it" in the days Honda over engineered their cars.
Oh aye, older Honda's - pretty well built in my opinion (even if there was the occasional gearbox bearing problem). I particularly liked the idea of the i-vtec engine. Even took a test drive and would have bought a nearly new one but Mrs Jock (who is vertically challenged) couldn't work the clutch pedal without jamming her knee under the dash! That's why we ended up with the Ibiza, which was actually my second choice. The latest Direct injection petrol engines, unlike the diesels, seem to be needing to be sorted out a bit. The Yanks seem to be having serious problems with the 1.5 turboed petrol engine in their CRV, Accord and Civic where fuel contaminating the oil, in very cold conditions, is necessitating early oil changes or risk engine damage - Try googling/you tubing it, makes very interesting reading/viewing. Haven't heard much of it over this side of "the pond" yet though. Maybe we don't get it cold enough.
Quite fancy the new 1.5 Jazz. But, it's basically the same direct injection engine with no turbo (I like no turbo on a petrol engine). Still, hopefully Twinkle, the Ibiza, will have a good few years in her yet as she's only just coming up for 3 years old in March. So by the time I get round to thinking about it that Honda 1.5 engine will have been around for a while and there should be a good supply of 18 month old models to choose from.
Thank you all for your fast answers.
So far:
- i checked all seat connections. Aparently all are ok
- leave battery disconnected for 2 hours. No changes
- one of the diagnosis was made with BOSCH scaning tool. I was convenced this was the best tool scan
- i didn't went yet to Fiat main dealer. They propose 50€ just to diagnose and at least 3h to troubleshooting
- when i turn on power i have no light or warning sound for seatbelt and the airbag lights ON in RED and it stays allways this way independent of using or not the seatbelts
Some sugest:
- low battery (fail one). I will test tomorrow with a new battery
- ground fail at airbag ECU. I will remove it to see any visual defect
- CAN "contamination". Don't know how to troubleshoot
Next step:
- buy cables and software. As refere, the adaptor must be a modified one.
Can i buyng the one here linked with confidence that wil work?
One of this also works? OBD2 OBD USB Diagnostic KKL Lead with 4 way Switch: Amazon.co.uk: Car & Motorbike
NO! that lead will not work for the airbag. It's a KKL not ELM327
If you want an Amazon seller
ELM327 usb auto OBD2 diagnostic interface scanner - HR-Tool®: Amazon.co.uk: Car & Motorbike
AND
HanRainTool OBD Adapter Cable OBD2 A3 Yellow for Italian Cars CAN Service Reset Radio Seat: Amazon.co.uk: Car & Motorbike
Should be OK but I've not used that seller. Note that you need both leads.
Robert G8RPI.
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Did that: disconect all plugs under both seats and, with a common scan tool (no BOSCH this time) there are no errors.On my panda:
RED : Driver
YEllow
It is a primitive car.. no seat-curtain Airbags
But MES found where it had damaged wiring to the Isolator switch.
With YOUR 500:
I am amazed that:
1. There is only the 1 light
2. The Error is not visible.
I would be tempted to unplug something easily accessible.. under seat plug.
Then retest with the Bosch device.
There is something going on here.. did it find the ECU driving the Airbags..?
Or was it just a basic scanner?
Probably you will sugest airbag ECU fail...
larslarsen
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Already checked for the typical Boot wiring issue?
No.. a better piece of diagnostic kit.!!
Almost worth getting the dealer to do a diagnostic 'print out'...
On a no.fault no.fee basis
Are you using a tool capable of actually reading from the ECU'S around the car.
Not just a P code engine scanner?
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