Technical Ducato X250 2.3 TRW Airbag ECU error

[seaniefs]

Hi there,

Just wondering if someone could possibly offer some advice, please?

I've got a 2010 Ducato 2.3 X250 which is a Campervan conversion.

On a recent trip out with the van I found that the dreaded airbag light illuminated when starting the engine and has stayed on for the last few weeks.

Looking at the battery compartment, I've found the ECU unit and that this is a 1358990080 TWR Airbag ECU.

I've connected the 'van to MultiEcuScan to check what the issue is and that reported a code of B1001 - Control unit faulty.

Therefore my assumption is that the Airbag ECU can be communicated with, but it's not working correctly. I'm not sure whether this is likely to be a software/firmware fault (needs re-programming) or whether this is likely a hardware issue and I need a new airbag ECU.

If do I need to replace the ECU entirely, I found a reference to 1358990080 on https://eper.fiatforum.com/sr/Drawings/Detail/F/T/D06/2J/555/8/0/1/0/SubSubGroup/1371008080 and have found that there are several other model numbers for that ECU as 1358990080 units do not seem to be that common.

Silly question - does anyone know if any of the successor units (1367537080, 1371008080) be used as a direct replacement for a 1358990080?

Also, just wondering if TWR Airbags of this type (not the 2 series) still need Proxi alignment or not?

Any help most would be very much appreciated.

Many thanks,

Sean

 

[the green vanper]

Hello,

It is a known problem, the airbag module gets often errors due to system voltage drops (it seems the battery voltage was low and it dropped below a certain level when you started the engine). It also gets the error during manipulations with seats (when disconnecting the airbag or pretensionners cables) or disconnecting the starter battery. There is a special procedure to disconnect the battery to avoid such problems.

Try looking for the 'airbag module repair' keywords on the forum, there is a company in the UK that is able to repair the module. Don't remember the name as it is too far away for me

Found a company locally just in case

 

[HughJampton]

Reference to ePer and Coastal Motorhomes website (usually reliable) indicate that the replacement for 1358990080 is 1371008080.

If you buy a new one AFAIK it will need to be proxi-aligned.

I had mine (different p/n, different DTC) reflashed by Northern Autotech (who seem to have a better rep than Crashdata). Being reflashed meant no proxi-alignment required. (though I could have done that). Experience of such repair varies, but mine has been OK for nearly 2 years.

They don't list that p/n or code, but do offer other services. Might be worth a call, Carl is seen as user-friendly.

Airbag ECU Repairs | UK Postal Repair Service From £95

We Specialise In Airbag ECU Repairs For a Wide Range Of Models For clients Throughout The UK. Call us today on 07870 903 552

northernautotech.co.uk

 

[seaniefs]

Hello,

It is a known problem, the airbag module gets often errors due to system voltage drops (it seems the battery voltage was low and it dropped below a certain level when you started the engine). It also gets the error during manipulations with seats (when disconnecting the airbag or pretensionners cables) or disconnecting the starter battery. There is a special procedure to disconnect the battery to avoid such problems.

Try looking for the 'airbag module repair' keywords on the forum, there is a company in the UK that is able to repair the module. Don't remember the name as it is too far away for me

Found a company locally just in case

Thanks for your reply Green vanper, much appreciated.

Yes, I think it might have been a battery voltage drop that caused the issue as I've not disconnected the battery and the cabling under the seats seems sound.

I can understand the UK companies are not local for you!

I've contacted Northern Auto Tech in the UK to see what they say.

Thanks again.

 

[seaniefs]

Reference to ePer and Coastal Motorhomes website (usually reliable) indicate that the replacement for 1358990080 is 1371008080.

If you buy a new one AFAIK it will need to be proxi-aligned.

I had mine (different p/n, different DTC) reflashed by Northern Autotech (who seem to have a better rep than Crashdata). Being reflashed meant no proxi-alignment required. (though I could have done that). Experience of such repair varies, but mine has been OK for nearly 2 years.

They don't list that p/n or code, but do offer other services. Might be worth a call, Carl is seen as user-friendly.

Airbag ECU Repairs | UK Postal Repair Service From £95

We Specialise In Airbag ECU Repairs For a Wide Range Of Models For clients Throughout The UK. Call us today on 07870 903 552

northernautotech.co.uk

Thanks for that Hugh, that's good to know.

Thanks for the clarification re proxi-alignment, I'd hoped it might be a drop-in replacement with no re-programming required since it wasn't an air bag 2; alas not!

Thanks, I've contacted Northern Auto Tech and am awaiting a reply - so we'll see what they say. I read up on CrashData and that made me a little wary of them, to be honest.

I'll have a preliminary hunt around for 1371008080 modules to see what's out there just in case the module is "toast"...

I think that MultiEcuScan can re-proxi the new airbag module if I need one (fingers crossed)...

I've read about people reading the EEPROM on the module and deleting the crash data in the hex dump and then re-flashing. This seems to involve de-soldering the EEPROM on the module. If it was an old through-hole PCB design I might be tempted, but with surface mounted components on the board I'm likely to put the final nail in the module's coffin...!

Thanks for the info, much appreciated.

 

[Googlebot]

Crash data have a terrible reputation.

There is another place that does them but can’t remember which one. If you go for repair, let me know and I will find it.

If you can proxy align it yourself, all the stuff I have read just says get a new one. Most repairs on the motorhome forums seem to last only weeks.

Incidentally, check if you have a battery to battery charger that it won’t be pulling the voltage down too much. On my Victron XS I upped the voltage to 13 as I kept getting an airbag warning when the leisure batteries were low and it was on tickover. This sorted it.

 

[seaniefs]

Crash data have a terrible reputation.

There is another place that does them but can’t remember which one. If you go for repair, let me know and I will find it.

If you can proxy align it yourself, all the stuff I have read just says get a new one. Most repairs on the motorhome forums seem to last only weeks.

Incidentally, check if you have a battery to battery charger that it won’t be pulling the voltage down too much. On my Victron XS I upped the voltage to 13 as I kept getting an airbag warning when the leisure batteries were low and it was on tickover. This sorted it.

Thanks for your reply Googlebot.

I had a reply from Northern Auto Tech and it appears the airbag ECU is (technically speaking) toast...

So, it looks like I'll need a new module... I'll have a chat with Northern Auto Tech in the first instance and see what the options are.

Our motorhome does have a battery to battery charger but it's very basic so I'll have to take a look. The Victron XS is nice and it's something I might well fit in the future, so useful info - ta muchly.

 

[Googlebot]

Thanks for your reply Googlebot.

I had a reply from Northern Auto Tech and it appears the airbag ECU is (technically speaking) toast...

So, it looks like I'll need a new module... I'll have a chat with Northern Auto Tech in the first instance and see what the options are.

Our motorhome does have a battery to battery charger but it's very basic so I'll have to take a look. The Victron XS is nice and it's something I might well fit in the future, so useful info - ta muchly.

That’s the ones.

Northern Auto Tech!

Just stick a voltmeter on the battery when the leisure batteries are flat, start and let it tick over, that will tell you.

Victron is amazing if you have the budget. Well recommended.

 

[HughJampton]

Thanks for your reply Googlebot.

I had a reply from Northern Auto Tech and it appears the airbag ECU is (technically speaking) toast...

So, it looks like I'll need a new module... I'll have a chat with Northern Auto Tech in the first instance and see what the options are.

Our motorhome does have a battery to battery charger but it's very basic so I'll have to take a look. The Victron XS is nice and it's something I might well fit in the future, so useful info - ta muchly.

In response to the ponderings above, yes, Multiecuscan should be able to Proxi-align a new part. If you haven't done this before I suggest you search on here for instructions on how to do this, and very importantly the need (and how) to make a pre-emptive backup of the current configuration file in case it all goes horribly wrong.

As for buying a new part (at discount) I'd suggest Coastal Motorhomes either on eBay or via their website (though the latter is having one of its hiccoughs as I type).

 

[RS3100]

I would also suggest replacing or adding an additional earth strap across the gearbox to chassis connection. The original braid strap is prone to corrosion inside the braids, which is not always obvious externally, but which can seriously affect the resistance of the cable. The battery voltage on my 2016 van was dropping to 9 volts last year when the starter was engaged, but since replacing the strap it shows a much healthier voltage.

Although I have never suffered an SRS ECU failure, I regard it as good preventative maintenance.