Technical Fiat Ducato motorhome airbag module problem

[Therumrunners]

This is not the usual airbag problem but I hope somebody might be able to help. The story- airbag light came up and scaned as low voltage, fault wouldn’t clear B0100-49. New battery fitted as precaution and airbag module sent to Northern Auto Tech. Returned with a note saying that proxi alignment would be necessary. Reinstalled airbag module and connected MES. Odometer was flashing and the airbag light was up and now also the seatbelt light. Unable to connect to airbag module but everything else was ok. Connected to the Body Control module to do the proxi alignment and saved the current proxi file onto the laptop. Noted the airbag module was showing in red as ‘removed’. Completed the proxi alignment ok. However, this is where the trouble starts. There is no airbag light coming on at all on turning the ignition key and the Body module doesn’t show the airbag module. It’s like the airbag module doesn’t exist. Removed the the module and the odometer is steady and not flashing. The van is now happy without the airbag module but I am not! I copied the current proxi file and printed the before and after files to compare. They are both the same. I am now at a loss. Any help much appreciated.

I have a reply on the MES forum as follows. He did wonder why I did what I did and I agree totally, I should have got more info before proceeding, my lack of experience with the software.
He did say that the airbag module should go back for checking/further repair, which it has. He also said that if a good airbag module was fitted the BCM would pick it up and approximate alignment would fix. This fills me with optimism. Is there anybody out there that would agree with this.

 

[bugsymike]

This is not the usual airbag problem but I hope somebody might be able to help. The story- airbag light came up and scaned as low voltage, fault wouldn’t clear B0100-49. New battery fitted as precaution and airbag module sent to Northern Auto Tech. Returned with a note saying that proxi alignment would be necessary. Reinstalled airbag module and connected MES. Odometer was flashing and the airbag light was up and now also the seatbelt light. Unable to connect to airbag module but everything else was ok. Connected to the Body Control module to do the proxi alignment and saved the current proxi file onto the laptop. Noted the airbag module was showing in red as ‘removed’. Completed the proxi alignment ok. However, this is where the trouble starts. There is no airbag light coming on at all on turning the ignition key and the Body module doesn’t show the airbag module. It’s like the airbag module doesn’t exist. Removed the the module and the odometer is steady and not flashing. The van is now happy without the airbag module but I am not! I copied the current proxi file and printed the before and after files to compare. They are both the same. I am now at a loss. Any help much appreciated.

I have a reply on the MES forum as follows. He did wonder why I did what I did and I agree totally, I should have got more info before proceeding, my lack of experience with the software.
He did say that the airbag module should go back for checking/further repair, which it has. He also said that if a good airbag module was fitted the BCM would pick it up and approximate alignment would fix. This fills me with optimism. Is there anybody out there that would agree with this.

I don't use MES but had to fit a new BCM as a result of previous owner damaging it when attempting a repair on a passenger seat sensor.
Long story short I used friends Snap On Zeus diagnostic tool which told the BCM to identify what was connected and do the necessary "proxi alignment" to recognise it, I then cleared any remaining error codes and car has been fine ever since.
This was on a 2010 Punto Evo.
If you have the full version of MES and correct leads I am sure someone here will be able to guide you.

 

[Therumrunners]

Thanks the reply, useful

 

[theoneandonly]

Removed the the module and the odometer is steady and not flashing. The van is now happy without the airbag module but I am not! I copied the current proxi file and printed the before and after files to compare. They are both the same. I am now at a loss. Any help much appreciated.
He also said that if a good airbag module was fitted the BCM would pick it up and approximate alignment would fix. This fills me with optimism. Is there anybody out there that would agree with this.

Did you backup the proxi file before you removed the airbag ecu.

Backup Proxi file on MES

This is repeat of an old post on how to create a backup of the MES proxi file

www.fiatforum.com

if not that's why the two files are the same. A good airbag module and a new proxi alignment should do the job (if there are no errors elsewhere.) It has been known for more than one attempt is required.

 

[Therumrunners]

Thank you for the advice. I hadn’t received the cable for mes before the sent the module off. All of a bit of arush as I’ve just had a shoulder op so I’m now out of action for 6 weeks. Just trying to get everything together so I’m ready to proceed and get it all fixed.

 

[Therumrunners]

Sent the module back to Carl at Northeren Auto Tech for him to check. He said there were no errors as before. I wasn’t expecting much when I plugged it in but all is good , or nearly good! Module was instantly recognised and the proxi alignment went fine first go. Why it works this time, I don’t know, haven’t done anything differently. However, I have been left with one fault that won’t clear. B0103-11 Driver airbag resistance, short circuit to ground. The van has been on our drive all winter since November so is it possible it’s just a bit damp and this fault might go away once we start using the van in April? Any help gratefully received.

 

[Therumrunners]

Well, after some further advice, I bought a new airbag module from Coastal Motorhomes, fitted and now no alarms. So the repaired module still had faults on it. I do wonder whether it’s worth getting them ‘repaired’. I could have saved money by just buying a new one.
Thank you to the people that replied, it’s appreciated.

 

[Steveda]

Well, after some further advice, I bought a new airbag module from Coastal Motorhomes, fitted and now no alarms. So the repaired module still had faults on it. I do wonder whether it’s worth getting them ‘repaired’. I could have saved money by just buying a new one.
Thank you to the people that replied, it’s appreciated.

Hi could I ask when you fitted the new ECU was it a straight swap or do you have to “ set it up” in some way?

 

[Therumrunners]

Hi could I ask when you fitted the new ECU was it a straight swap or do you have to “ set it up” in some way?

Once you’ve swapped the airbag module you (or somebody) will have to do a ‘proxi alignment’, this then registers the module with the main ecu. You can do this using MES software on a laptop. If you Google MES or Multiecuscan you’ll find the website and read all about it. It’s not difficult, I had no knowledge of this before I had the problem. Any decent garage should be able to do it for you with their professional scanning tools. My local Fiat garage in Guernsey didn’t know what I was talking about! They have now actually gone into receivership. Good luck

 

[WhereNext]

@Therumrunners

Once you’ve swapped the airbag module you (or somebody) will have to do a ‘proxi alignment’, this then registers the module with the main ecu. You can do this using MES software on a laptop. If you Google MES or Multiecuscan you’ll find the website and read all about it. It’s not difficult, I had no knowledge of this before I had the problem. Any decent garage should be able to do it for you with their professional scanning tools. My local Fiat garage in Guernsey didn’t know what I was talking about! They have now actually gone into receivership. Good luck

Just want to double check I have this right. My Ducato airbag ecu is faulty ( error: B0100-49). If I replace it for the "newer" model can I simply run a Proxy Alignment or must you first backup the old module's details and somehow copy them over to the new unit?

Many thanks for all replies.

 

[Therumrunners]

You should be able just to run a proxi alignment and the main ecu will recognise it.

 

[jackwhoo]

You must use the correct airbag ecu for the vehicle. It will not work if you don't use the correct air bag ecu.