Hi
I have a 2004 Ulyses with a"passenger air bag" fault.
I took it to Fiat dealer who said that computer could not daignose problem and therefore a new ECU was needed +/- some replacement cables. ( ~ 600 euros).
Is it worth bringing to another dealer to get a second opinion ?
Having looked at a number of related blogs on this site, I'm not overly confident that a new ECU will ensure a successful outcome.
All advice welocome
Regards
Marc
marccronin,
if you can read out the airbag fault, it's not the ECU.
it's airbag itself, or much more likely the wiring
to test the passenger side airbag wiring properly, you have to take out the whole dashboard, which dealers simply do not do, too much time, too little profit, not to mention unavoidably breaking some of all the plastic fantastic
if there is faulty wiring in the airbag, you will be able connect to the ECU (engine failt codes, etc) but you will not be able to connect to the airbag, it's that simple, you get a return arror "cannot connect" or the likes
if you decide to do let them replace the ECU, if I were you, I'd secretly mark your ECU with a scratch or a sign or tipp-ex to see if they actually replaced it when they present you with the bill
if you're handy, I'd start with checking the wiring and connections yourself, if you can see anything, starting from within the footwell passenger side looking up (yellow cables)
but if you really want to do the job right, you'll have to remove the dashboard i.e. also radio, steering wheel, etc., this is a lot of work, but if you're handy and patient and remain calm, chances are you'll find the problem yourself, but you do need FiatEcuScan or the likes with appropriate cable to reset the airbag yourself
welcome to the wonderful world of car electronics, my friend
but don't worry, that's why we have this forum, to help each other
good luck
oh yeah, before I forget, disattach the battery for at least 10 minutes before fiddling with anything concerning the airbags, when removed, store them somewhere safe, they are a form of explosive device, it nearly ever happens, but you never know
you might also be able to unscrew the passenger side airbag via the glove-compartment, see if you can unscrew the glove-compartment and get to the screws of the airbag on the frame tube, it lifts and you can carefully pull it out towards you
