I've read previous threads here and tried to digest. Basically I'm told the warning light is a fail now! I'ts been suggested I remove the bulb, but does anyone know how else I might tackle this? I have a 2000 from new. I estimate the light shone for last ten years. Never an MOT fail but now is. Removed passenger seat only to tackle some floor pan corrosion near seat belt anchor, probably with battery still connected, but as I say the light shone long before that. Advised today that Barchetta parts are no longer available as FIAT stopped producing them and I assume nobody bothered to pursue this in the market. Reading previous threads is this reset option still the advice? If so where is the reset? I've been warmed the ECU may have dry/cold joint? and that Pretensioners are no longer available.....I don't believe power is making it to the connection below the seat having tested it. IS ANYONE CLUED UP ON THIS? please help? I have a friend who will charge me the minimum to do a diagnostics....

Hello, and welcome to FF,

with a laptop and a set of OBD leads,

I used MultiEcuScan for FREE ,this diagnosed my Airbag problem,
Pass Airbag Isolator Switch - direct to fault location,

went to scrap yard,
got a switch from another FIAT,

disconnect battery - swap components , reconnect battery,
fault gone = light now off..

there are other fault code readers,
but MES = FREE and Fiat/Alfa specific,

removing the BULB on dash would be an immediate fail

Charlie-Oxford

Where is the air bag isolator switch, what does it look like as i have tbe same priblem.

I bought cable setup from Gendan Automotive and downloaded Multieuscan. Followed directions in program and turned out the light in 10 minutes. I found buying cheap cables on ebay was a waste of money and my time. Access to airbag three pin connector is in passenger foot well. You pretty much have to lie on your back to see it. It is really tucked in there.

Some Barchetta's don't have the isolator switch, presume it's the early models without one.

Does anyone know if a 1995ish Punto has the same airbag control unit or seat belt tensioners ??

Seems everybody tries to eliminate that fault.
In which port do we have to connect, so that you can interact with the airbag module?
The dealership, connected to number 3, and could not have interaction with the module, they said that either it does not have power or the unit is faulty.
Another garage connected to number 1, but didnt had airbag software, for barchetta. (Are there any other cars, that use the same unit?)
Any ideas?

[/ATTACH]
A temporary fix to get through the MOT.
Airbag light linked to ABS light.

TSAF:
1 is the airbag module test lead
2 is the seatbelt pretensioner connector
3 is the engine ECU test lead
4 - I never figured what that is, possibly some aircon connector.

The fiat 3-pin connector is not self powering so you need to take power from the battery, or most easily from the cigarette lighter.

So what you need is these: a fiat 3-pin to obd2 adapter, a VAG/KKL type OBD2 cable (with or without the switch) and a cigarette lighter cable with crocodile clips or similar to get the 12V and GND from the battery.

You need the cable with the switch if you have a barchetta with the universal OBD2 connector. In your case (pre-2001 car) you have separate connectors for each module, so always keep the switch in "engine" position if you have the switch.

Plug the cigarette lighter adapter, connect the crocodile clips to the clips in the 3-pin adapters (be careful not to short the 12V to frame, use tape for protection for example). Connect 3-pin to module and KKL cable between adapter and laptop.

I used FiatECUscan to access the modules. COM port latency needs to be set to minimum value of 1ms from control panel - device manager - com ports - advanced settings in order to get a working connection.

Ilkka said:

4 - I never figured what that is, possibly some aircon connector.

Click to expand...

Isn't #4 the plain-and-simple 12V for hardtop window heater? I don't have aircon, but #4 is still there.

Could be that too. Usually all the wiring is same for all the cars even if the options are not.

The hard top window heater connection is over the other side behind the drivers seat. So item 4 I don't know, but possibly is the Aircon connection as suggested.

wapper said:

Isn't #4 the plain-and-simple 12V for hardtop window heater? I don't have aircon, but #4 is still there.

Click to expand...

The hard top window heater connection is over the other side behind the drivers seat. So item 4 I don't know, but possibly is the Aircon connection as suggested.
Item 2 is the plug for the passenger airbag, that's fitted in place of the glove box in the dash. Connected to that plug is the resistor fitted when no airbag is in place.

wapper said:

Isn't #4 the plain-and-simple 12V for hardtop window heater? I don't have aircon, but #4 is still there.

Click to expand...

Dave M. When you say “resistor is fitted when airbag is not in place “ do you mean plugged into number 4, because mine has nothing plugged in and the airbag light is always on?

No, the number 2 plug has the resistor, if you have the glove box.The spare wire (No2) will have the resistor. Mine was fastened to the heater box with a clip. Number 4 plug has nothing connected.

Noideadave said:

Dave M. When you say “resistor is fitted when airbag is not in place “ do you mean plugged into number 4, because mine has nothing plugged in and the airbag light is always on?

Click to expand...

I have just used this chap from ebay -

cwautodiagnostics​

I contacted him to confirm which cables I needed, these - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/144489808013, then bought them from him

Crucially for me as my IT skills are limited, he offers tech support. He even offers remote access support. He logged into my laptop (numerous times), to help me get connected to the air bag ecu.
My big issue was I couldn't connect to the ecu, this ultimately was due to a USBC to USB adaptor blocking the signal.
I used my sons laptop with USB and we got it working.
I cannot praise this chap enough, it took a few days and in total a few hours to resolve all the issues and get the connection to work, the port setting etc alone are minefield!
All for £17.99