Technical 2006 Ducato 2.3 JTD Airbag ECU coding to van

[Timbo69]

Hi all, (Newbie)Tim here from Brecon in Wales. Not sure where to post this. But I'll try here first.
I bought a Fiat Ducato 2.3 jtd campervan a month or 2 back with an airbag light on. I had the ecu removed and sent to a company to reset it, but they told me it was damaged beyond repair. I bought another (exactly the same number etc). I've been told it needs coding to my van before the light will go out. Is there anyone in South/Mid Wales that can help me out please?

 

[bugsymike]

Hi all, (Newbie)Tim here from Brecon in Wales. Not sure where to post this. But I'll try here first.
I bought a Fiat Ducato 2.3 jtd campervan a month or 2 back with an airbag light on. I had the ecu removed and sent to a company to reset it, but they told me it was damaged beyond repair. I bought another (exactly the same number etc). I've been told it needs coding to my van before the light will go out. Is there anyone in South/Mid Wales that can help me out please?

It would have been useful to know what error codes showed up that implied the ECU was at fault, I assume you mean the BCM (Body Computer Module ) which controls the Airbag side amongst many other things, rather than the actual ECU which controls the engine side.
Were you told what damaged the "ECU" beyond repair?
I stand to be corrected but unless water has got into to the BCM or it has been shorted out by something else I would say total failure without another external cause is not very common.
Several years ago I had to repair a 2010 Fiat Punto Evo that ran fine but had an Airbag warning issue that had damaged the BCM , but in that case the passenger seat occupancy sensor had been badly repaired causing a electrical short in the BCM.
Luckily I was able to obtain a correct brand new unused BCM and with original fault fixed I was able to use a Snap On Diagnostic tool to do a "Proxi Alignment " which told the BCM what components were connected to the system so they could all "talk to each other", I then cleared any existing error codes in system and car still going strong several years later.
Buying a second hand ECU or BCM doesn't always work as most modern units have details that permanently identify the original vehicle such as Vin. Number and speedo reading/mileage etc. As well as the normal characteristics of that specific model.
If vehicle was bought with this issue, was it the result of being involved in an accident, or did it develop as you were using it?
Apart from anything else, if the original fault hasn't been fixed there is every chance you could destroy the new BCM.
Perhaps other on Forum can advise more on this subject.

 

[Timbo69]

It would have been useful to know what error codes showed up that implied the ECU was at fault, I assume you mean the BCM (Body Computer Module ) which controls the Airbag side amongst many other things, rather than the actual ECU which controls the engine side.
Were you told what damaged the "ECU" beyond repair?
I stand to be corrected but unless water has got into to the BCM or it has been shorted out by something else I would say total failure without another external cause is not very common.
Several years ago I had to repair a 2010 Fiat Punto Evo that ran fine but had an Airbag warning issue that had damaged the BCM , but in that case the passenger seat occupancy sensor had been badly repaired causing a electrical short in the BCM.
Luckily I was able to obtain a correct brand new unused BCM and with original fault fixed I was able to use a Snap On Diagnostic tool to do a "Proxi Alignment " which told the BCM what components were connected to the system so they could all "talk to each other", I then cleared any existing error codes in system and car still going strong several years later.
Buying a second hand ECU or BCM doesn't always work as most modern units have details that permanently identify the original vehicle such as Vin. Number and speedo reading/mileage etc. As well as the normal characteristics of that specific model.
If vehicle was bought with this issue, was it the result of being involved in an accident, or did it develop as you were using it?
Apart from anything else, if the original fault hasn't been fixed there is every chance you could destroy the new BCM.
Perhaps other on Forum can advise more on this subject.

Hi bugsymike, thanks for the reply. searching back through the service and MOT history, there is no indication of any accidents. I do know that the double front seat was changed to a single during the conversion. My local garage and a fellow Ducato owner, who had a diagnostic tester, couldn't connect to the airbag module within the van. This is why I removed it and sent it to a company called Northern Autotech in Morecambe who say they can clear any errors and crash data. However they rang me to say that it is damaged beyond repair (see photo). I purchased another module, but have been told it needs coding to the van. This is all the info I have - like I said, I am new to the whole campervan scene, and have very little mechanical/electrical knowledge I'm afraid. The MOT is due in 2 weeks, and I'm desperately trying to get the issue sorted.

 

[bugsymike]

Hi bugsymike, thanks for the reply. searching back through the service and MOT history, there is no indication of any accidents. I do know that the double front seat was changed to a single during the conversion. My local garage and a fellow Ducato owner, who had a diagnostic tester, couldn't connect to the airbag module within the van. This is why I removed it and sent it to a company called Northern Autotech in Morecambe who say they can clear any errors and crash data. However they rang me to say that it is damaged beyond repair (see photo). I purchased another module, but have been told it needs coding to the van. This is all the info I have - like I said, I am new to the whole campervan scene, and have very little mechanical/electrical knowledge I'm afraid. The MOT is due in 2 weeks, and I'm desperately trying to get the issue sorted.

Generally speaking where a seat has been changed /removed it should have been possible to "proxi align " it, however if someone tried to put an aftermarket resister in the circuit or something else to delete warning light they may have blown the BCM as happened in my case.
I suspect you will need to have the correct resister/s in the circuits and then get either brand new BCM correctly fitted and aligned or a professionally "virginised BCM " from a good specialist.
Basically if someone tried to simply bridge the two wires it takes the resister out of the circuit and causes the damage.

 

[jackwhoo]

@bugsymike

Hi Mike, I think this is an airbag ecu fault rather than a bcm fault. Cheers J

The op wants to know about "coding" new airbag ecu to van. I think it is proxi alignment that is required rather than "coding" new ecu to van.

 

[jackwhoo]

The replacement airbag ecu must have identical part numbers to the old one.

 

[Timbo69]

The replacement airbag ecu must have identical part numbers to the old one.

It has - exactly the same

 

[jackwhoo]

It has - exactly the same

Is it brand new?

 

[Timbo69]

@bugsymike

Hi Mike, I think this is an airbag ecu fault rather than a bcm fault. Cheers J

The op wants to know about "coding" new airbag ecu to van. I think it is proxi alignment that is required rather than "coding" new ecu to van.

This seems to be the case. Truth of the matter is I have no idea what to do, and I'm finding it difficult to find someone who can take a look and just tell me what I need to get done.

 

[jackwhoo]

Strangely air bag ecus in Ducato are not an uncommon fault.
Usually a new correct air bag ecu followed by proxy alignment using correct software and interface to vehicle sorts it out.

 

[Timbo69]

Strangely air bag ecus in Ducato are not an uncommon fault.
Usually a new correct air bag ecu followed by proxy alignment using correct software and interface to vehicle sorts it out.

I've got the replacement ECU, but it's someone to do the proxy alignment I'm having difficulty finding. The nearest Fiat dealer to me won't do it, they put me in touch with an independent commercial vehicle garage, who only do 2016 onwards. I'm wondering if there's anyone in Wales on this forum who would help me out, or might know a garage that can.

 

[growlybear]

I'm in a similar position to you ie the ECU seems to be toast.
I bought this from Gendan https://www.gendan.co.uk/product_FESCAN.html but send them an email and they'll advise what you need. Then you can do your own proxi align.
There is a Mes (Multiecuscan) forum on here with a list of folks who have Mes, and someone must be close to you if you don't fancy doing it yourself

 

[Timbo69]

I'm in a similar position to you ie the ECU seems to be toast.
I bought this from Gendan https://www.gendan.co.uk/product_FESCAN.html but send them an email and they'll advise what you need. Then you can do your own proxi align.
There is a Mes (Multiecuscan) forum on here with a list of folks who have Mes, and someone must be close to you if you don't fancy doing it yourself

Thanks mate, I'll email them later.

 

[bugsymike]

@bugsymike

Hi Mike, I think this is an airbag ecu fault rather than a bcm fault. Cheers J

The op wants to know about "coding" new airbag ecu to van. I think it is proxi alignment that is required rather than "coding" new ecu to van.

On the 2010 Fiat Punto Evo I was involved with, the seat sensor was the issue but I had to change the BCM as well, I still have the old BCM in the box the replacement genuine Fiat one came in.
I see from OPs photo it is described as Airbag so presumably only does that job. I don't have specific knowledge of that model Ducato so assumed the BCM was involved.
Also I was uncertain as to where the replacement came from , new, virginised or scrapyard as at one time scrapyards were selling ECUs etc. telling the buyer they just needed "coding" to their vehicle, which was being a bit loose with the facts.
I tend to agree with you, however it was the cause of failure of original ABS ecu that I was concerned that if it had not been corrected could destroy the replacement.
Incidentally does anyone know if fitting a different correct new or "viginised" Airbag module has any effect on any other stored details of the vehicle?

 

[Communicator]

May I draw attention to the fact that the thread title is ambiguous. A 2.3 litre 2006 Ducato, can be either a 2006 x244 2.3jtd, or a 2006 x250 2.3 multijet.
The x244 model does not have a BCM, or canbus, while the later x250 model does. Perhaps @Timbo69 could inform the forum, as to which model he has. If unsure he should check the first three numbers of his VIN.

 

[Timbo69]

It's a 244 2.3JTD. My mistake, should have included that. First 3 numbers of VIN are 244.

 

[Communicator]

It's a 244 2.3JTD. My mistake, should have included that. First 3 numbers of VIN are 244.

This may explain why your friend was unable to access the airbag ecu, as he would be trying to use the non existant BCM as a gateway. The x244 does not have a canbus, and hence no proxi alignment. It's "simples".

To the best of my knowledge, my 2006 x244 does not have seatbelt pretensioners, and only has driver's airbag. If you do have explosive pretensioners take grear care as inadvertant operation can be fatal.

For future reference, and as you will appreciate, the model number is generally more important than the manufacturing year.

Attached are extracts from Fiat eLearn for the x244, with some modifications to the wiring diagrams.