Technical Airbag warning light

[paulf2012]

Hi,

I have a 2007 1.3 MultiJet. Airbag warning light has come on, along with warning msg about consult manual. I had some problems earlier in the year with lots of warning lights (including airbag) and not being able to start, which were (as far as I could tell) due to moisture around the fusebox, so I suspect this is a similar issue (although it could still be a real airbag problem).

I have checked battery terminals and grounding points, as in the electrical gremlins HowTo, but no corrosion or problems found - all looks very clean. Also tried hair dryer on the fusebox, but didn't help.

In the coolant change HowTo, I can see there is a wire back from the front crash sensor, but can't locate it on mine - is it in a different place on the MultiJet 1.3?

I also checked the wires under the seats, but they seem OK - I think these aren't relevena anyway, as the car doesn't have side airbags.

It's my wifes car and I don't want her driving with an airbag problem, so may look for an auto electrics specialist, but would like to eliminate anything easy/obvious before I do this.

Any thoughts/suggestions welcome.

Thanks/paul

 

[MrDerv]

As you've covered most bases already, You're going to need to invest in MultiEcuScan software, or enquire here if there's someone local that has this, and could connect to your car to read the fault codes.

Once the Airbag ECU has been read for fault codes, you'll have a better understanding of which bit of the airbag system is at fault.

 

[grahamhpalmer]

my partner, has a500 diesel which earlier this year had a service and the "garage" failed to reset the ecu, which led to the total lock down and a lot of expense, it now as a airbag warning light on, which after running the tests on has come back with module fault, this alone costs over £400.00, seem this was fixed on a recall in 2011 when the car was all but brand new now five years later as it really failed again? not only that it is a major operation to change ,doesn't bode well for the future value of the car if it needs major work every five years

 

[paulf2012]

As you've covered most bases already, You're going to need to invest in MultiEcuScan software, or enquire here if there's someone local that has this, and could connect to your car to read the fault codes.

Once the Airbag ECU has been read for fault codes, you'll have a better understanding of which bit of the airbag system is at fault.

Thanks, Brickfoot.

Done what you suggested - MultiEcuScan gives the msg:

B0117 - Front crash sensor

Seems to be a hard fault - can't reset it.

Had a look at the sensor/wiring - can see part of the wiring by removing the radiator grill, but the sensor and connector seem to be on top of the rad, and are covered by the slam panel, so I'm having trouble getting to it.

The connection goes down the front of the rad and seems to join another small wiring loom by the horn. The loom seems to have opened near the join, leaving some wires exposed, but they look clean/insulation OK.

Can anyone advise how to get to the sensor and connector on top of the rad?

Thanks/paul

 

[paulf2012]

In the spirit of coming back to say if/how it was solved...

Turns out it was a corroded wire (copper had oxidised/turned to powder inside the insulation), under the fusebox/battery tray. The cable housing was a bit worn in a few places, as well.

Had spent quite a bit of time on it, and the safety aspect was worrying me (my wife uses it every day), so took it to a local garage. Took him a few hours to find it. Crash sensor and airbag all OK.

The guy said that the general area under the fusebox/battery tray was wet, and would be the first place to head for, if there are future electrical problems. He also said getting the battery tray out is the way to access the underneath of the fusebox - which I tried to remove from the top, but couldn't get to the connectors properly.

 

[varesecrazy]

In the spirit of coming back to say if/how it was solved...

Turns out it was a corroded wire (copper had oxidised/turned to powder inside the insulation), under the fusebox/battery tray. The cable housing was a bit worn in a few places, as well.

Had spent quite a bit of time on it, and the safety aspect was worrying me (my wife uses it every day), so took it to a local garage. Took him a few hours to find it. Crash sensor and airbag all OK.

The guy said that the general area under the fusebox/battery tray was wet, and would be the first place to head for, if there are future electrical problems. He also said getting the battery tray out is the way to access the underneath of the fusebox - which I tried to remove from the top, but couldn't get to the connectors properly.

glad you got to the bottom of it..,
could you add a version of this to the FAQ thread..as apparently it would be a great "and also",
cheers,
Charlie

 

[Bernievarian]

Job well done and excellent feedback Paul, so rare, congrats !!

Regards, Bernie