Technical Airbag reset

[topher]

Guys, I have read on the forum about a manual way to reset the airbag warning light that was posted by someone to do with earthing certain pins of the control unit connection. The general concern was this sounded quite dodgy, but I just found this in my fiat workshop manual for the barchetta so it may well be a normal thing to do, however it seems to be specific to one type of control unit. This is my first image upload so stay with me if it doesnt work. I may try it tomorrow if I have one of the these control units

 

[topher]

Figure A and B from P 79 so you can see the difference between the two units

 

[topher]

This is the blink codes chart.

 

[Twilight Johnny Atom]

If that works then you, Sir, are an evil genius.







err… let us know how you get on, eh?

 

[topher]

I am going to give it a go tomorrow to find out why my light is on with the blink test! Then if I can trace the fault, I will have a go at the reset, as I say, those extracts are from the Fiat workshop manual, I need to check which crash sensor I have though.

Mr Twilight, I see you have done some modifications to your car, as a newbie, what would say was the single best improvement you have made - performance, handling etc. I am thinking about the strut brace for handling but if the cold induction kit makes a noticable performance difference, then its worth a look!

 

[Abarth barchetta]

Mr Twilight, I see you have done some modifications to your car, as a newbie, what would say was the single best improvement you have made - performance, handling etc. I am thinking about the strut brace for handling but if the cold induction kit makes a noticable performance difference, then its worth a look!

Not from Mr Twilight, however from my perspective go for cold air induction followed by a rolling road re map of your ECU. Uprated suspension kit I used a System 2 sports sprint set up. Followed by the strut brace, Sparco in my case. Oh and don't forget the brakes, if you already have ABS just fit fast road pads these help haul in those extra mods.I'm presuming you already have a stainless exhaust, if not put this top of the list. Best of luck getting your boat how you want it.

 

[Twilight Johnny Atom]

I am going to give it a go tomorrow to find out why my light is on with the blink test! Then if I can trace the fault, I will have a go at the reset

There's probably no fault at all. It's usually the connector under the seat becoming disturbed or dislodged I believe.

Mr Twilight, I see you have done some modifications to your car, as a newbie, what would say was the single best improvement you have made - performance, handling etc. I am thinking about the strut brace for handling but if the cold induction kit makes a noticable performance difference, then its worth a look!

I've done a lot less than some on here and in fact I've taken the induction kit off mine and sold it. I'm really not a fan of just bolting on an induction kit to gain a couple of HP, and in most driving situations the actual horsepower gain is just not noticeable. I have some more radical plans for next year if finances allow.

The single best improvement must be the strut brace, then probably a free-flowing stainless exhaust although there's no better performance gain than keeping it serviced and running well. It's never going to be a properly quick car but a well sorted 'b' that's running well with a strut brace and some decent suspension will keep a smile on your face around the twisties.

 

[topher]

Jonny, Thanks for the reply, from my other thread, performance improvements have dropped down the list, I am now concentrating on performance of any kind, i.e. getting 1 bhp out of the engine, not an extra 1 bhp!

Strut brace sounds a good way to go though when I do finally get it running again!

 

[RnRollie]

There's probably no fault at all. It's usually the connector under the seat becoming disturbed or dislodged I believe.

wellll... yes ... and no. Most of the time the light comes one because the connector was indeed disturbed. You are right there.
HOWEVER: as long as the light is on (there is an error) and the error not cleared, the airbags and belt pre-tensioners are actually DISABLED.
So it is in the best of interests to clear the errors and reset the system.

 

[LittleRedB]

Good luck with the airbag light fix, I am sure a lot of people are watching this thread with interest!

As for the mods, cheapest and most effective is the strut brace, Eibach springs make a fantastic difference to the handling but does not make the ride harsh around town, induction does give a hike in performance - and makes a fantastic sound, stainless steel exhaust makes a difference and grooved disc's and fast road pads help things stop! The final mod you may consider (if you drive at night), is a set of HID headlight conversions - turns the candlepower headlights into usable headlights!

 

[topher]

Once the engine is back in one piece and running, I will look at the airbag light, I still need to check the crash sensor I have and also find the connector! - Any advice!!??

 

[Twilight Johnny Atom]

wellll... yes ... and no. Most of the time the light comes one because the connector was indeed disturbed. You are right there.
HOWEVER: as long as the light is on (there is an error) and the error not cleared, the airbags and belt pre-tensioners are actually DISABLED.
So it is in the best of interests to clear the errors and reset the system.

I'm not sure I understand you. If the blinks show a major fault then obviously it needs to be repaired, but if the only error is that the wiring has been disturbed then are you saying the airbag will still not operate if the error is cleared in this way? If so, how are you supposed to clear it (assuming the connector is not completely disconnected)

I'm sure I've read elsewhere that the airbag is still operative even though the light is showing.

Here's another link confirming the procedure.

http://codes.rennacs.com/plugins/FiatSRS/FIAT-SRS-60-Barchetta.php

 

[Twilight Johnny Atom]

So, does anyone know the answer to this? I'm pretty sure my dashboard light is on because of a disturbed under seat connector but I'd also like to be sure the airbag is working once I've cleared it.

 

[topher]

Johnny, I havent tried it yet as I am trying to get the engine running again. But to clear up one of your points, if you disturb the seat, and the connections are dodgy, and you ahve the ignition on, the airbag light will come on and the fault code is registered in the memory, if you repair the fault, the memory still retains the error code, you have to then clear that code from the memory. So it could be that the light is on but now no actual fault exists. As for the airbags working if the light is on, I am not sure, I was under the impression that they dont but cant back that up with any evidence.

Merry Xmas

 

[Rustbucket]

Had a look at this today..my idiot brother jumped in the car and slammed the seat back despite being told not to do it with the ignition on..pot roasted bro tonight.

Can see the switchbox. on my Riviera its the later type but mounted round the other way so the orange connector plug faces backwards..No chance of getting the plug out as its boxed in with aircon components.Looks like another trip to Fiat for 5 mins on the tester and a full hours labour charge...

New year Resolution: Re-wire the airbag wires under the seats!