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Technical Help!!!! Airbag sensor????

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Technical Help!!!! Airbag sensor????

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multiplani

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My airbag light has been on for a while now. As MOT is on Friday decided to get it switched off at last.

I was sure it was set off due to me pulling a fuse with the ignition on as stated in the manual.

My local mechanic is expensive so called out a guy from the local classifieds who has started doing mobile work.

Guys came out and plugged reader in...they said it was reading faulty airbag ECU/Sensor. I asked if they could get the light to go out for MOT...they fiddled for a while but in end handed me ECU and suggested I try to get a S/H one. They are postive its faulty airbag sensor???

So....

Is there any way to switch this light out to get through MOT??? So I can then get it sorted without rushing.

If not and I have to get a new sensor....can anybody tell me the part number needs to match??? I have spotted 2 on Ebay for 99-04...they look the exact same but when I enter my car into the compatability check it says it doesnt suit. But they surely are generic????

One is of a 2001 1.9 JTD 105. Surely it should fit onto my 2003 1.9 JTD 115????

THEY LOOK IDENTICAL

Mine has the following numbers...

46813507

5WK43211 / 04-320651NAT

C404

The one for sale locally is...

46513525

5WK42817 / 04 - 3????AT (cant read it all)

C404

PLEASE CAN ANYBODY HELP!!! EVEN ADVISE A NOVICE (MYSELF) ON A QUICK FIX TO GET THROUGH MOT ON FRI???

I KNOW AIRBAGS ARE NOT TO BE MESSED WITH BUT I HAVE BEEN CAUGHT OUT HERE AND DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO THROW AWAY AT FIAT DEALERSHIPS ETC.
 
And just to state...I am not talking about botching this for good. Only to get through Friday as MOT wont let me change the date this late on (begged them!!!!).
 
Right as a bodge to get through the m.o.t. you need a dash light that comes on when you turn on the ignition and goes out when the airbag light would normally go out. Then it's a case of wiring the airbag light to the same feed as the light in question. This will give the appearance (hopefully) of the airbag system being fully functioning.

I could be incorrect with the above so don't take it as gospel, I also do not have a wiring diagram for your motor so couldn't help in that respect.

If the above works to get it through the test you must remember that the airbag system is faulty, it may fail to go off in an accident and your insurance company may not take too kindly to your modifications in such a case.
 
Thankyou for the help...makes sense.

I have just had an idea...what about if I just covered the light inside the speedo housing??? Would this do ok???
 
And does anybody know if the airbag sensor is generic across the 2003 Multiplas??? Surely it must be the same unit in all the 2003's???Even amongst the diesels???
 
Again I could be wrong but covering it would be a fail as it wouldn't be seen to illuminate.
 
multiplani said:
Thankyou for the help...makes sense.

I have just had an idea...what about if I just covered the light inside the speedo housing??? Would this do ok???
Click to expand...

No because as said in the post above it needs to come on and off as is does in it's check cycle. If it doesn't illuminate at all it's a failure.
 
Oh goodness, thats no good then.

Well tell me...I have the chance to pick up a used sensor for £15 although have to drive 25 miles each way to get it...

Does it seem likely that the sensor would be the cause???? I knpw the guys checked it today but its my first time using them so I haven't developed complete trust yet.

They said it was the airbag sensor and explained they couldnt get the light to go out because it was the sensor that was at fault rather than the airbag as such.

They did pull the sensor out etc and were fiddling for about an hour but in the end advised me to get a new sensor.

Just want to hear others thoughts before travelling to buy one.
 
Nightmare!!!! Made 50 mile round trip. Had to get at and remove the sensor myself. Plugged it into my car and gues what...LIGHT STILL ON!!!!

So had paid to have guys out yesterday to attempt it, have drove to get the part I was told I needed just to find it didnt work.

Now phoned local garage who say some plug under passenger seat needs disconnected before reading and removing code????

I am stuck. Going to call to the local garage, pay to get it read again & see what happens.

I'm screwed if I need a Fiat Dealer, as the only local one now say £90 just to read it, then £30 to reset if appropriate/possible!!!!!!!!!!!!!

PS - THE GUY WHO WAS BREAKING A MULTIPLA WAS VERY DECENT. HE WAS CONFIDENT NO LIGHT WAS ON IT WHEN THEY BROUGHT IN IN...SO HE JUST ASKED IF I WOULD ASSEMBLE EVERYTHING AGAINAND PLUG THE SENSOR BACK IN. BUT I ENDED UP GETTING REAR LIGHT UNIT (MINES CRACKED) AND BOOT LOCK SWITCH & HOUSING FOR £20 WHICH MADE THE TRIP AT BIT MORE WORTHWHILE.

I would be really interested to hear fom everyone who has had airbag light issues on their multi.
 
So, just back from garage. Had it plugged in...to be fair seemed like better machine etc.

Coming up as passenger sider airbag squib???? Mechanic says the passenger airbag may just need disconnected and re-connected. But didnt want to be bothered doing it as he is too busy.

So gave me the number of a spark who he claimed wasnt hard to pay. Phoned spark who wouldnt even give an idea of hourly rate or job prices etc...I've heard this spiel before and been totally ripped off so not going to use him...will find somebody else.

So going to have a go at disconnecting and reconnecting this airbag myself before wasting any more money.

Anybody able to direct me on doing so?????
 
ImageUploadedByFIAT Forum1365624063.936386.jpg
Here's what your looking for... I happen to have my passenger seat out at the minute.
Marty.
 
Funny the mechanic was talking about a connector under passenger seat sometimes being the issue but couldn't find it!!!

So is that the actual passenger airbag I will be disconnecting ie - the passenger dash???

Thankyou so much for sticking a picture up for me...its so much easier to follow.
 
That pic is one half of the connector that often gives a problem I believe(poor connection.. Wiggle and clean)
The bolt you see is the front left anchor bolt of the passenger seat(just for perspective)
Have a look see!!
 
Ok, well I'm going to give that a go in the morning...thankyou.

He said its passenger side but funny didnt seem to specify which...it is me who just assumed he was talking about the dash one.

I will let you know how it goes!!!
 
Ok so have removed the front seat and carpet...nothing there?

I have removed the dash on passenger side. What I am looking at is the passenger dash airbag.

The airbag is encased in a sealed white paper cover

There are 2 yellow connectors on each side...both leading into thick yellow wiring that leads towards centre of dash.

Where would the plug/connector be that I need to check???

I have already removed, checked the sensor (silver box on centre floor) and also cleaned and checked connectors on green box (no idea what it is) in same place. Both are now reinstalled.

I have removed and cleaned the airbag earth point in same area (yellow wiring so assume it is airbag earth).

Before I give up and put dash back on later...does anybody have any other clues????

ITS 2003 MULTIPLA 1.9JTD 115
 
Thankyou...reading those confirms I am correct in saying there is def no connectors under the passenger seat to play with.

Does this mean there are no other airbag sensors in my car except the silver box on centre floor behind the plastic trim???

So Im going to have a wiggle at the 2 yellow connectors on the airbag itself...the connectors look in good shape though and wires seem sound.

Then will pull door pillar trim off to see if anythings lurking there. If not then stuck again.

Mechanic def said the fault was at passenger side and to be honest...now that airbag is exposed, there doesnt seem too much to the whole thing, even for complete novice like myself.

Is there anything else I should look for??? Maybe its the airbag itself??? Looks like I could fit another myself quite easily as appears bolt on, bolt off????

Thank God for this forum...I have really learnt a lot so far & having never tackled diy on a modern(ish) car, its been a god send so far.
 
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