Ducato ECU/airbag warning light?

[welsh dragon]

Hi all, hope someone could give me any advice please. We have a fiat ducato based chausson motorhome 2020 year with 7500 miles and the warranty ran out last week. This week an airbag warning light has illuminated on dashboard and an initial investigation through local garage suggests it's a ECU failure. I have booked ot in with a Fiat dealership which i've been told will cost me £158 initially. I've also complained to Fiat directly because i fail to agree it's not wear and tear after 2 years and 7500 miles which is a lot less than average milage, so it must be a manufacturer issue/defect which should not happen. Has anyone had a ECU failure on a vehicle 2 years old or less please??
I have been told by Fiat to get in touch with them while the motorhome is in the Fiat dealership and won't give me any details of when or what year was the ECU fitted in our motorhome was made?
Thank you all in advance.

 

[Anthony489]

Hi

There have been a number of reports of premature failure of the airbag controller (Also known as the Supplementary Restraint System or SRS controller). The ECU controls the engine, and is a different thing unconnected with airbags.

If Fiat are unwilling to pay part of the cost of a new one (which I think they should), an alternative is to have your unit repaired by a specialist company. Unless things have changed recently, the SRS controller is in the cab under the floor covering, centrally under the dash. Not too difficult to unplug to be sent away. Once the unit is returned you may need to have a software alignment performed, but I don't know the details of this.

 

[welsh dragon]

Hi

There have been a number of reports of premature failure of the airbag controller (Also known as the Supplementary Restraint System or SRS controller). The ECU controls the engine, and is a different thing unconnected with airbags.

If Fiat are unwilling to pay part of the cost of a new one (which I think they should), an alternative is to have your unit repaired by a specialist company. Unless things have changed recently, the SRS controller is in the cab under the floor covering, centrally under the dash. Not too difficult to unplug to be sent away. Once the unit is returned you may need to have a software alignment performed, but I don't know the details of this.

ok thank you so much for your information, i really do appreciate it as i am trying to build a bigger picture with all the feedback.

 

[theoneandonly]

Has anyone had a ECU failure on a vehicle 2 years old or less please??

Ive not had a problem but you are not alone and quite a number have had Fiat assistance. The Info in the graphs was extracted from a Motorhome forum. Reading hundreds of posts about misery with srs ECUs.
Hope you have luck with Fiat.

 

[welsh dragon]

Hi thank you for the information. Would you know if these graphs are based on Fiat motorhome engines only please? or all motorhome engines in general?

 

[varesecrazy]

The FIAT chassis cabs are built alongside Peugeot and Citroen... in a @30 year joint venture..

So parts are often common... therefore failures may be too.

Search SRS on here to potentially get more background info

 

[welsh dragon]

The FIAT chassis cabs are built alongside Peugeot and Citroen... in a @30 year joint venture..

So parts are often common... therefore failures may be too.

Search SRS on here to potentially get more background info

thank you so much

 

[varesecrazy]

Where are you based?

Access to diagnostic software might help if FIAT drag there heels

Charlie - Abertillery

 

[welsh dragon]

Where are you based?

Access to diagnostic software might help if FIAT drag there heels

Charlie - Abertillery

Hi, i'm in Port Talbot and waiting for the outcome from the Fiat dealership investigation first on 10/01/2023 before i do anything else, but thank you so much.

 

[theoneandonly]

Hi thank you for the information. Would you know if these graphs are based on Fiat motorhome engines only please? or all motorhome engines in general?

The info is based on all sevel vans

I've always adopted the procedure recommended that is turn ignition on, let the display complete its check sequence and then start the engine. then put the seatbelt on. Maybe I have been lucky in not having a failure. may not be rigorous in order of putting on seatbelt.

One thing that comes back all the time is reason for failure Voltage too high or poor charge (at levels that should be expected on a Motorhome).


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a simple BT battery monitor , i have one. helps with airbag paranoia too.

 

[welsh dragon]

thank you so much for the information