Sods law, MOT due at the end of the month and mt sons Panda airbag lights have been playing up (2009 Eco 1.1 variant). Initially they would come on for a little while then as the car was used they would simply go off. They then stayed on for a good few weeks then one day when I used the car for a lot of journeys the lights suddenly went out and stayed out for a week or so. Unfortunately they've come back on. I have no idea if the crappy weather is the driver but I did think someone had mentioned a failing battery possibly being a culprit?

I've got a local independent garage who will do a diagnostic test for £30, is that probably the best starting point or are there any tips to try in advance.

Many thanks in anticipation, Kevin

PS My apologies for only contributing when faults have appeared on the car but I'm not the most car knowledgeable person and this forum has helped considerably in the past

Condolences; these sorts of faults on older cars are an absolute nightmare, difficult for the home mechanic to diagnose, and not much easier for the independent garages.

PandaParent said:

I've got a local independent garage who will do a diagnostic test for £30, is that probably the best starting point or are there any tips to try in advance.

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It depends what tool they are going to use to do the diagnostics. Unless it's capable of effectively interrogating all of the car's systems, it's probably a waste of £30. Franchised dealers obviously have the correct diagnostics, and multiecuscan will certainly do it (€50 for a licenced copy + about £20-£30 for the connecting cables), but most generic scan tools won't be sufficient.

If a cheap diagnostic check just says it can't see any faults, where do you go next?

One potential dilemma is that getting this fixed by a franchised dealer could easily cost more than the value of a 2009 active.

PandaParent said:

I have no idea if the crappy weather is the driver

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Very possibly. A corroding connection somewhere in the system is a likely culprit.

Removing the multi connectors, and replacing after a spray with electrical contact cleaner, is worth doing - but be sure to disconnect the battery first! Also check (and preferably clean the connectors on) the main earth cable between the battery and chassis.

PandaParent said:

someone had mentioned a failing battery possibly being a culprit?

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Possible, but probably not that likely (but do check the battery earth where it is connected to the chassis). If charging the battery (preferably off the car), temporarily fixes things, then replacing the battery is worth trying.

Hi.

Where is the panda based?

A diagnostic will take 5 mins.. and should give an indication of the errors nature..and location

Charlie

I’m based in Bristol if anyone can help I’d be grateful. Regards, Kevin.

So a work colleague gave me a loan of his OBD II code reader. All connected well and performed as expected. Only one code came up:
P0352 which according to the code book states ignition coil B primary / secondary circuit malfunction. Not sure that’s got anything to do with the airbag lights? Cars been running fine so maybe I have another problem that I’m unaware of? Plan tomorrow is to disconnect the battery then after an hour pop the passenger airbag switch to see if there are any obvious problems. Then I’ll check the earth lino to the chassis as suggested but after that I’m thinking garage? Cheers for taking the time to read and help where you are able. Kevin.

I had the airbag warning light come on this morning, same as you, one more month and it's MOT time again!

After work, started her up and it'd gone.

PandaParent said:

So a work colleague gave me a loan of his OBD II code reader. All connected well and performed as expected. Only one code came up:
P0352 which according to the code book states ignition coil B primary / secondary circuit malfunction. Not sure that’s got anything to do with the airbag lights? Cars been running fine so maybe I have another problem that I’m unaware of? Plan tomorrow is to disconnect the battery then after an hour pop the passenger airbag switch to see if there are any obvious problems. Then I’ll check the earth lino to the chassis as suggested but after that I’m thinking garage? Cheers for taking the time to read and help where you are able. Kevin.

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Most OBD code readers are ENGINE only.

You may need a better device

Charlie

Bit the bullet and bought a new switch for £50 - I know but the scrap yards I’d contacted were not giving me confidence I buying used ones for circa £20. Fitted the switch and started it up, all lights extinguished and back to normal. Fingers crossed it’s permanently repaired. Unfortunately other bits nailed it at its MoT which is a new thread. Thx for contributions. Kevin.

I had a similar issue, air bag light coming on randomly.

Mine was due to the airbag switch in the glovebox. Took it out, stripped it down into bits, cleaned it with electrical cleaner, refitted, problem solved.

Generally with airbags the alarms have to be cleared with MES. Without that, the fault can be gone but the light will stay until you get in there and cancel it.

Just to close this thread off we eventually got to the bottom of this fault. As some of you had already guessed in this and other threads it was the passenger airbag isolator switch in the glovebox! When I took it out for a closer look it became clear it had been tampered with before and there was glue marks all over the bottom of the switch. So I got a replacement. Switch, changed over the key barrel (just a circlip removal) and put it back together. Reconnected the car battery and started the car. Both airbag lights came on, they then flashed rapidly and then went off! Since then no warning lights and no problems. Thx to all for your feedback.

I've arrived at this a little late, sorry, but you've done the right thing.

There was an issue with airbag switches some years back, affected Panda and I think Punto and 500. Somewhere in the depths of this forum are threads from that time. My head stores this sort of thing, but I've not being paying enough attention, sorry.

PandaParent said:

Just to close this thread off we eventually got to the bottom of this fault.it was the passenger airbag isolator switch in the glovebox! When I took it out for a closer look it became clear it had been tampered with before and there was glue marks all over the bottom of the switch. So I got a replacement. Switch, changed over the key barrel (just a circlip removal) and put it back together. Reconnected the car battery and started the car. Both airbag lights came on, they then flashed rapidly and then went off! Since then no warning lights and no problems. Thx to all for your feedback.

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Hi.

Glad its sorted.

The wiring..and plug isnt visible whilst removing the glovebox.

Discovered this myself.

Needed MES to clear the errors.


A spare switch now lives with the OBD cables..

Charlie

This is an interesting one because the Mk2/2A Punto also had problems with the passenger air bag disable switch. With air bag warning lights that was always the go-to item. Next was to deal with the under seat pressure switch connectors.