Technical Airbag Light

[NitramA]

After 4 years and 20k miles of trouble free motoring my Panda Trekking threw up an Airbag error this morning.
Looking at other posts, it seems this is not an unusual occurrence, except that I’ve not had a fuel cut off error that others seem to have at the same time.

I’ve checked the wiring under both seats with a multi meter and the seatbelt cabling & passenger seat sensor all seem to be functioning correctly.
Whilst the wire run is a bit tight, I’ve tried wiggling them around and it hasn’t made an obvious difference. It may be a red herring but I cleaned out the car during lockdown and would have moved both seats back and force to gain access.

My question is whether its worth while buying an OBD port diagnostic tool off Amazon? This may give me an error code, but will it be so ambiguous I may as well bite the bullet and find a friendly local Independant garage.

I also assume the error referers to the drivers airbag? I’ve tried disabling the passenger side and it made no difference.

Comments would be very much appreciated.

 

[jackwhoo]

Wow, be very careful, it is possible to fire an air bag with a multimeter, airbags can cause injury!

 

[jackwhoo]

A bog standard cheap code reader will only read a limit range of engine codes

 

[jackwhoo]

You can't assume anything with these bags even if passenger side disabled it is still checked by ecu and faults logged.

 

[PuntoHowTo]

Never never NEVER !!! Use a multi meter on a live airbag !!!

Get something wrong and you can set it off, usually with your face or body inches from it at the time. And this can and has resulted in serious injury. There are documented cases of people dying as a result of ring fractures caused by airbags.

Secondly it is highly unlikely that a £20 scanner off eBay would tell you what is wrong which is why almost all of us on here invest in a cope of the MES multiECUScan software and some cheap laptop cables. Good for life and will do everything you could want. Will also tell you in. Writing what the fault is.

Some things that trigger the airbag light can resolve themselves and leave the light on until it is reset in the software so without knowing what’s causing the fault, messing about with the wires and cables could very well be a completely pointless endeavour.

 

[NitramA]

Never never NEVER !!! Use a multi meter on a live airbag !!!

Get something wrong and you can set it off, usually with your face or body inches from it at the time. And this can and has resulted in serious injury. There are documented cases of people dying as a result of ring fractures caused by airbags.

Secondly it is highly unlikely that a £20 scanner off eBay would tell you what is wrong which is why almost all of us on here invest in a cope of the MES multiECUScan software and some cheap laptop cables. Good for life and will do everything you could want. Will also tell you in. Writing what the fault is.

Some things that trigger the airbag light can resolve themselves and leave the light on until it is reset in the software so without knowing what’s causing the fault, messing about with the wires and cables could very well be a completely pointless endeavour.

Jeez, thanks for the info. Multi meter has been put away!!
In my defence, I was only checking continuity of the seat base and seat belt switches, but I’ll definitely take note!!
I’d deduced that the cheaper scanner would be a waste of money, especially around the Airbag codes, so at least that’s saved me some money.

Ive got a laptop I can use, but I’m still trying to understand what cables/adapters I would need as there seems to be lots of permutations.

 

[Herts Hillhopper]

You say you 'cleaned the car' - did you use anything wet (steam cleaner, Vax shampooer etc?) - which mighht have led to an issue? The main control system is mounted at the base of the centre console, under the heater unit, and various plugs and cables run from it (all with bright yellow sleeving to show they are the SRS system and need to be treated with care). Did anything there get knocked with a Hoover nozzle?

 

[NitramA]

You say you 'cleaned the car' - did you use anything wet (steam cleaner, Vax shampooer etc?) - which mighht have led to an issue? The main control system is mounted at the base of the centre console, under the heater unit, and various plugs and cables run from it (all with bright yellow sleeving to show they are the SRS system and need to be treated with care). Did anything there get knocked with a Hoover nozzle?

I just vacuumed so nothing wet.
I did take the floor mats out and stuck the cleaner nozzle around the place, so this may be a good call!
I’ll report back.

 

[NitramA]

Had a good look around this morning.
I see the yellow wires, but they’re tucked well out of the way and I can see no way I would have disturbed them.
I did check that everything was where it should be, and also rechecked the all other connections including at the battery.

Whilst using MultiECUscan is extremely attractive to me, I don’t think I would use it often enough to make it worth the outlay, so I’m currently looking at a local Independant garage to see if they can help.

Will be useful to see their standard of work too as I don’t plan to be paying main dealer prices for servicing going forward.

 

[NitramA]

Car booked in with an Italian specialist in Gloucester for early June, so we shall see.
He seems very knowledgable and knows about the under seat wiring being suspect (probably an Italian characteristic!).

He also said that the Airbag error is latched in and will need to be cleared By the software, so I may have already fixed it, but wouldn’t know.

He’s mentioned £50-£60 if its a reset, but he’s warned me that the ECU does go and that it will be more like £450. I love a bit of excitement in my life

 

[varesecrazy]

That £60 would get your own kit..

I dont get to Gloucester often.. but its a whole month away..

Charlie

 

[NitramA]

That £60 would get your own kit..

I dont get to Gloucester often.. but its a whole month away..

Charlie

I know, I know. It does appeal to me and I have done this sort of thing before when I had a BMW.

What exactly would I need to buy?
I’m OK with the software, but what cables?

 

[varesecrazy]

I know, I know. It does appeal to me and I have done this sort of thing before when I had a BMW.

What exactly would I need to buy?
I’m OK with the software, but what cables?

MultiECUScan has its own website

Cables..
Either KKL 'VAGCOM'
OR ELM327

The MES site will detail which


Then

ADAPTOR cables.. colured leads.. each colour is wired for a specific task

ABS.. PAS....ROOF..Airbag

 

[NitramA]

MultiECUScan has its own website

Cables..
Either KKL 'VAGCOM'
OR ELM327

The MES site will detail which


Then

ADAPTOR cables.. colured leads.. each colour is wired for a specific task

ABS.. PAS....ROOF..Airbag

Do you think this do the trick for adapter & required cables?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0764CK269/ref=cm_sw_r_em_tai_c_nfQVEb443NGSE

 

[varesecrazy]

Some people use them..
I have the coloured adaptors

Is that correct for the panda??

Elm or Kkl?

 

[NitramA]

It’s KKL (VagCom) and a lot of the reviews mention MultiECUscan.
But then it says it uses the Kline protocol which is compatible with Fiats up to 2009, so maybe not!
No mention of a Panda, just its of Alfas & Puntos.

 

[varesecrazy]

It’s KKL (VagCom) and a lot of the reviews mention MultiECUscan.
But then it says it uses the Kline protocol which is compatible with Fiats up to 2009, so maybe not!
No mention of a Panda, just its of Alfas & Puntos.

The MES website details which cable types are required

Scroll down the Supported vehicle list
(VEHICLE on top toolbar..)

For the panda 2012..its all ELM

( My previous 2003 build panda was a mix of KKL and ELM)

 

[NitramA]

Finally had the car in the workshop today.
It seems that the sensor in the drivers door/seat is faulty.
Didn’t think the Panda have side airbags, but another one has been ordered overnight so hopefully that will resolve the issue.

 

[NitramA]

Just got the car back.

A new side bag sensor cost £45.
Also had the service done at the same time as it’s due early next month.
Spark plugs £38
Oil Filter £25
4 ltrs Oil (correct stuff) £42
Air Filter £28.69
Cabin Filter £24.74
Labour £160
Total £363.43.
Donation to the Government £72.69
Total £436.12

This was at a local(ish) Italian specialist who seemed very knowledgeable. He did say he could get the sensor a bit cheaper if I was willing to wait but I wanted the car back on the road.

I’m not sure if it’s actually turned out any cheaper than the Fiat Dealer, especially if they still include Roadside cover.

Does make me think about doing it all myself!

 

[Herts Hillhopper]

Just got the car back.

A new side bag sensor cost £45.
Also had the service done at the same time as it’s due early next month.
Spark plugs £38
Oil Filter £25
4 ltrs Oil (correct stuff) £42
Air Filter £28.69
Cabin Filter £24.74
Labour £160
Total £363.43.
Donation to the Government £72.69
Total £436.12

This was at a local(ish) Italian specialist who seemed very knowledgeable. He did say he could get the sensor a bit cheaper if I was willing to wait but I wanted the car back on the road.

I’m not sure if it’s actually turned out any cheaper than the Fiat Dealer, especially if they still include Roadside cover.

Does make me think about doing it all myself!

Yes, servicing (or even just the annual 'inspection') at the main dealer does indeed give a year of Europe-wide breakdown cover, including at your house -- that's actually quite a good incentive (although if serviced well, should never be needed )

Yes, the Panda has side (curtain) airbags on all specs, and has air bags in the seat sides on the Cross models (optional on the others)