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Technical Airbag Issue

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Technical Airbag Issue

Herts Hillhopper said:
Which airbag light is on (there are two), and what does the message actually say on the dash?

You’ve already told us (different thread) you have a child seat in the front seat, so the passenger airbag must be disabled. That will show a yellow airbag light to remind you the airbag is turned off. (Ideally, child seats should only be used in the back seats)

Only a red airbag light shows a fault, and yes, that is an MOT fail.

Note: the suggestion above to visit a Mercedes specialist probably won’t help - only the Fiat (or the alternative MES) diagnostic tool can help here.
Click to expand...
Hello.

This is a short video of the seatbelt issue and also the airbag light that you said and error message.
 

Attachments

  • PXL_20250303_170555031~3.mp4
    67.7 MB
Herts Hillhopper said:
Which airbag light is on (there are two), and what does the message actually say on the dash?

You’ve already told us (different thread) you have a child seat in the front seat, so the passenger airbag must be disabled. That will show a yellow airbag light to remind you the airbag is turned off. (Ideally, child seats should only be used in the back seats)

Only a red airbag light shows a fault, and yes, that is an MOT fail.

Note: the suggestion above to visit a Mercedes specialist probably won’t help - only the Fiat (or the alternative MES) diagnostic tool can help here.
Click to expand...
Thats a good shout!
 
Adam1984 said:
Hello.

This is a short video of the seatbelt issue and also the airbag light that you said and error message.
Click to expand...
ok - the yellow light next to the hazard light switch shows the passenger airbag is disabled -- that isn't a fault as you can turn it on and off via the menus.

I can't see (because you spin the camera past it) if the red 'airbag failed' light (in the speedometer) is on? (The warning message suggests that it is). If it is, then that needs to be attended to, urgently. At the very least, the code needs resetting to see if it was a temporary failure (the fault is 'latching' and only goes away if reset with a Fiat code reader, which will also be able to tell you which airbag is at fault). If it stays away after a reset, the cause might have been a low battery. But if it comes back then something else needs fixing. A common fault is the so-called 'clock spring' -- a spiral of wire that connects the steering wheel airbag to the dash wiring. Its spiralled around so it remains connected with the steering turned all the way from one side to the other. There are various thread here about its replacement -- not something to be attempted unless you're pretty au fait with airbag wiring.
 
Herts Hillhopper said:
ok - the yellow light next to the hazard light switch shows the passenger airbag is disabled -- that isn't a fault as you can turn it on and off via the menus.

I can't see (because you spin the camera past it) if the red 'airbag failed' light (in the speedometer) is on? (The warning message suggests that it is). If it is, then that needs to be attended to, urgently. At the very least, the code needs resetting to see if it was a temporary failure (the fault is 'latching' and only goes away if reset with a Fiat code reader, which will also be able to tell you which airbag is at fault). If it stays away after a reset, the cause might have been a low battery. But if it comes back then something else needs fixing. A common fault is the so-called 'clock spring' -- a spiral of wire that connects the steering wheel airbag to the dash wiring. Its spiralled around so it remains connected with the steering turned all the way from one side to the other. There are various thread here about its replacement -- not something to be attempted unless you're pretty au fait with airbag wiring.
Click to expand...
This is another video, with the seatbelts too.
 

Attachments

  • PXL_20250303_182430667~3.mp4
    81.3 MB
Adam1984 said:
This is another video, with the seatbelts too.
Click to expand...
OK - so the red airbag fail light is on. Needs fixing.

Seatbelt signs are working exactly as mine do. So, don't need fixing!

See the related post here - where exact same issue: warning of failed airbag after disabling the passenger one:
www.fiatforum.com

Red airbag warning light | FIAT Panda (2012+)

My wife's Panda has developed a red warning light for the disabled passenger air bag. My local garage cannot sort even though they have up to date scanning equipment and has it booked into an auto electrician in the new year. It first happened after she picked me up and I got into the driver's...
www.fiatforum.com www.fiatforum.com
Not sure if it got resolved. What happens with yours if you turn the passenger airbag back on?
 
Herts Hillhopper said:
OK - so the red airbag fail light is on. Needs fixing.

Seatbelt signs are working exactly as mine do. So, don't need fixing!

See the related post here - where exact same issue: warning of failed airbag after disabling the passenger one:
www.fiatforum.com

Red airbag warning light | FIAT Panda (2012+)

My wife's Panda has developed a red warning light for the disabled passenger air bag. My local garage cannot sort even though they have up to date scanning equipment and has it booked into an auto electrician in the new year. It first happened after she picked me up and I got into the driver's...
www.fiatforum.com www.fiatforum.com
Not sure if it got resolved. What happens with yours if you turn the passenger airbag back on?
Click to expand...
Yeah if I turn the passenger airbag back on the same issue happens.

No harm in getting a new battery though is there. I will see what the garage diagnose tomorrow.

At least the seatbelts are ok :)
 
Herts Hillhopper said:
OK - so the red airbag fail light is on. Needs fixing.

Seatbelt signs are working exactly as mine do. So, don't need fixing!

See the related post here - where exact same issue: warning of failed airbag after disabling the passenger one:
www.fiatforum.com

Red airbag warning light | FIAT Panda (2012+)

My wife's Panda has developed a red warning light for the disabled passenger air bag. My local garage cannot sort even though they have up to date scanning equipment and has it booked into an auto electrician in the new year. It first happened after she picked me up and I got into the driver's...
www.fiatforum.com www.fiatforum.com
Not sure if it got resolved. What happens with yours if you turn the passenger airbag back on?
Click to expand...
I agree, try turning this off and on again. It might just be worth disconnecting the battery for 30 mins and see if it changes things too.
 
So I took the car to the garage this morning.

They can't fix the airbag issue as they said its too complicated for them and don't have the required software to diagnose it. They recommended an auto electrician, or think Fiat dealer themselves could fix the issue?
 
Adam1984 said:
So I took the car to the garage this morning.

They can't fix the airbag issue as they said its too complicated for them and don't have the required software to diagnose it. They recommended an auto electrician, or think Fiat dealer themselves could fix the issue?
Click to expand...
I have just been to another mechanic who has a snap-on diagnostic tool.

He got the following error code: BO111-64 (any ideas)

He had a quick look at some connections under glove box said all look ok.

He suggested could be a connection wire into the ECU. Said it would be safe to drive though for the time being till the MOT which it will then fail.
 
As has been mentioned here already, you need to find someone with access to the Fiat MultiECUScan (or MES) software... This is the only tool that can read the specific Fiat error codes (apart from a Fiat dealer's own system). These are links in this forum to local users across the country. You can buy the software and necessary connections from https://www.gendan.co.uk/category_161.html (just about for less than a Fiat dealer would charge to just read the codes!) and there's also a (very good) version of it that runs on the iPhone... which is what I use. Checking teh airbag circuits also requires the additional red coloured adaptor lead.
 
Last edited:
Herts Hillhopper said:
As has been mentioned here already, you need to find someone with access to the Fiat MulitECUScan (or MES) software... This is the only tool that can read the specific Fiat error codes (apart from a Fiat dealer's own system). These are links in this forum to local users across the country. You can buy the software and necessary connections from https://www.gendan.co.uk/category_161.html (just about for less than a Fiat dealer would charge to just read the codes!) and there's also a (very good) version of it that runs on the iPhone... which is what I use. Checking teh airbag circuits also requires the additional red coloured adaptor lead.
Click to expand...
So what would I need to get this software? There is a free version isn't there?
 
You will need an ELM327 OBD interface and a yellow adapter cable, something like this:

www.ebay.co.uk

Fits Fiat ELM 327 v1.4 Green Red Yellow cables for use with MULTIECUSCAN | eBay

Explore the potential of your Fiat with the iProscan ELM 327 v1.4 adapter cables, designed for seamless compatibility with MULTIECUSCAN tools. These cables come in a striking green, red, and yellow scheme, ensuring a distinctive look that stands out in any diagnostic setup. The adapter cables...
www.ebay.co.uk

Then download MES and install on a laptop. The cable plugs into the OBD port of the car, under the cover to the right of the steering wheel.
 
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