Alfa Romeo Owners Club of Australia Forum

Technical => 932 Series (156, GTV, Spider, 147, GT, and 166) => Topic started by: JAM87 on March 18, 2012, 04:45:40 PM

Title: Airbag light on- how much to clear?
Post by: JAM87 on March 18, 2012, 04:45:40 PM
Hi all,
just a quick qs.

Let my dad take out my 2001 spider today and he moved the chair with the ignition on... now airbag light is on.

How much do you think it would cost to clear the error?

Thanks
John
Title: Re: Airbag light on- how much to clear?
Post by: dehne on March 18, 2012, 05:34:53 PM
should be $80 to link it to the diag machine (approx) but that depends on the person used, you may have a more sevre problem like the airbag module at the front of the car is damaged in someway then that gets a bit more costly, ring and ask a club sponser you may get a cheap deal.
Title: Re: Airbag light on- how much to clear?
Post by: funniest thing on March 18, 2012, 08:40:27 PM
I had the same prob last week in the wifes 147. i just checked the plugs under the drivers seat were snug and fired up the igntion leaving my foot hard on the brake pedal for about 10 secs after the comp had completed its active checks and the fault light reset.
Title: Re: Airbag light on- how much to clear?
Post by: Brad M on March 18, 2012, 10:08:29 PM
I've been told the airbag light can be set off by a vigorous seat adjustment (in the forward - reverse direction).

Since being told this and being careful with the seats, I haven't had the warning pop up ... In the past I've had the fault cleared when resetting the body control unit (that's another story involving hot days and possessed windows/mirrors).
Title: Re: Airbag light on- how much to clear?
Post by: Neil Choi on March 18, 2012, 10:43:47 PM
There are connectors underneath the front seats as well on top of rear wheel arch underneath the trunk cover.  If movement occurs within these connectors while starting car, then the AIR BAG warning light goes off.  You need to have the fault reset with the Alfa computer, dealer or one of our Alfa sponsor workshop will do it.  Then you need to get underneath the seat and cable tie that connector solidly to the seat.  With regards to the rear connector, lift up liner and race tape the connector and cables to the panel really well.

Hope this helps.

Neil
Title: Re: Airbag light on- how much to clear?
Post by: John Hanslow on March 19, 2012, 04:45:46 PM
Your friendly alfa mechanic may do it for about $80 seems correct.

This happens with the 147 - do not move the seat with the ignition on.  Now add the 916 spiders to the list.

Cheers
Title: Re: Airbag light on- how much to clear?
Post by: JAM87 on March 20, 2012, 09:12:38 PM
Thanks guys,

I really appreciate your comments.

John
Title: Re: Airbag light on- how much to clear?
Post by: alphahall on August 28, 2017, 04:56:50 PM
Sorry to dredge up an old thread.  I've got this problem yet again on my 147.  Having been told by Monza Motors last time they serviced the car that this was caused by moving the seat with the ignition on, I have sternly told the other drivers not to do this, but that only lasted two weeks.  >:(

Now, I've read about using a device called an OBD2 to plug in to a dedicated (and apparently standard!) socket, and this can be interfaced to an app on a phone or tabled (or PC), to read diagnostic codes, and reset warning light statuses including the airbag.

Before I lash out $5 or something on an OBD unit on fleabay, has anyone tried this?
Title: Re: Airbag light on- how much to clear?
Post by: bonno on August 28, 2017, 07:53:08 PM
Hi alfahall
I would suggest that the $5 unit will not be able to clear ABS and Air Bag lights. The hand held scanner at $31.50 is not able to do refer to Question and Answers at the following link https://www.gearbest.com/obd-diagnostic-tools/pp_217650.html?
Much more expensive units such as the one at the following link will be able to erase Air Bag and ABS warning lights.
http://www.lightinthebox.com/autel-autolink-al619-abs-srs-obdii-can-diagnostic-tool_p1225801.html?currency=AUD&litb_from=bing_shopping&utm_source=bingshopping&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=bingshopping
Suggest that a simple way might be to disconnect – ve battery terminal for ½ hour, then reconnect as per previous post at the following link 
http://www.alfaclubvic.org.au/forum/index.php?topic=4149.msg21987#msg21987
cheers
bonno
Title: 147 Airbag Light & Seat Connector
Post by: Citroënbender on August 28, 2017, 08:11:41 PM
The "disconnect battery" approach doesn't work for all Airbag/SRS modules in the 147, certainly on the earlier ones, once the fault is logged the warning lamp stays lit while driving - a rego fail in NSW.

I believe it (the battery off trick) may work on later cars, some marques will change a logged fault from current to historic after a certain number of startups without the fault present.
Title: Re: Airbag light on- how much to clear?
Post by: Berridale on December 11, 2019, 11:01:44 PM

Working on a 916 GTV.
Well the difficult thing is to find somebody who is honest and wants to fix the problem , not just take your money.
Fiat-Alfa diag set up on your laptop with a vag cable will get you into the car's computer.

However i still can't get the DTC pane to operate?
Anyone know what i need to do?
Title: Re: Airbag light on- how much to clear?
Post by: bazzbazz on December 11, 2019, 11:31:24 PM
You need an adapter cable to read the airbag.
Title: Re: Airbag light on- how much to clear?
Post by: Beatle on December 12, 2019, 03:36:26 PM
Bazz had reset the light on my 156 just prior to my purchase.    The light has now decided to come on again, but it is random.  It resets itself about every third trip....!
I have a cheap OBD reader ($5.00 is ridiculous, it'll cost at least $8.00 for a decent unit...  ;)) but yet to trying a bulk code clearance to see if it goes away more permanently (after checking all plugs of course).
I'm quickly learning to ignore the light  :o
Title: Re: Airbag light on- how much to clear?
Post by: bonno on December 12, 2019, 03:53:10 PM
Hi Beatle
More than likely your scan tool/OBD reader will not clear Air Bag light (refer to manual that came with unit and or earlier post above). I have had success clearing the Air bag light by disconnect/reconnect  the plug yellow & orange connectors located within the boot on RHS guard (PS Ensure to disconnect battery prior attempting this procedure).   
Title: Re: Airbag light on- how much to clear?
Post by: bazzbazz on December 12, 2019, 05:13:28 PM
You need an adapter cable to use with the OBD Adapter/Dongle to connect to the Airbag ECU.

You cannot connect to the Airbag ECU with just the OBD Adapter/Dongle.

The connectors that bonno is referring to are for the Side Curtain Airbags.

Beatle, the cause of the error with your 156 was the passenger seat airbag connector under the seat, not saying that's the issue now
but at least you now know.
Title: Re: Airbag light on- how much to clear?
Post by: bonno on December 12, 2019, 05:33:37 PM
Further to Bazz's comments, the information contained on this thread/post is very useful for clearing Air Bag/ Side Curtain air bags fault. I would just like to add that as Neil has indicated in his post the connectors should be effectively secured/taped to prevent fault from reoccurring and just as important to disconnect battery before attempting rectification procedure (prevent accidental firing).
Title: Re: Airbag light on- how much to clear?
Post by: SeleMatt on September 03, 2020, 05:21:06 PM
Could anybody please confirm that the link below is the OBD connector cable adapter needed to connect to the airbag ECU?

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/16Pin-to-3Pin-Female-OBDII-Car-Auto-Diagnostic-Connector-2-Clip-Cable-for-Fiat-U/163910564518?_trkparms=aid%3D1110006%26algo%3DHOMESPLICE.SIM%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20200818142525%26meid%3D9e390bf6f4994c22a8181d3d66201a3c%26pid%3D101195%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D12%26mehot%3Dco%26sd%3D324187213696%26itm%3D163910564518%26pmt%3D1%26noa%3D0%26pg%3D2047675%26algv%3DSimplAMLv5PairwiseWebWithBBEV2bDemotion&_trksid=p2047675.c101195.m1851
Title: Re: Airbag light on- how much to clear?
Post by: bazzbazz on September 03, 2020, 05:54:36 PM
No, that's for use with early series Phase 1 GTV/spider.

You need a set of either of these -

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/3pcs-OBD2-For-Alfa-Fiat-ECU-Scan-Car-Diagnostic-Cables-MultiECUScan-Adapter-AU/283563901060?hash=item4205b9c084:g:MJUAAOSwzYteIfSi (https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/3pcs-OBD2-For-Alfa-Fiat-ECU-Scan-Car-Diagnostic-Cables-MultiECUScan-Adapter-AU/283563901060?hash=item4205b9c084:g:MJUAAOSwzYteIfSi)

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Diagnostic-Cable-Adaptors-for-use-with-MultiECUScan-Engine-Airbag-ABS/123720491908?hash=item1cce50e384:g:9nAAAOSwDZxTzmFI (https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Diagnostic-Cable-Adaptors-for-use-with-MultiECUScan-Engine-Airbag-ABS/123720491908?hash=item1cce50e384:g:9nAAAOSwDZxTzmFI)

Plus you will need a KKl/K-line cable to use with the Red Adapter cable for connecting to 147/156 or earlier Alfa series as they won't allow connection with ELM Adapters.
Title: Re: Airbag light on- how much to clear?
Post by: SeleMatt on September 04, 2020, 09:46:51 AM
As always, thanks Bazz.
Title: Re: Airbag light on- how much to clear?
Post by: SeleMatt on September 19, 2020, 01:19:02 PM
Okay. So I connect to the ecu and get the middle of the screen boxed message. WARNING; Unknown ISO code. Module cannot be indentified!  Pressing y to continue and checking the error codes gives. 22 - Curtain airbag squib (passenger) Value too high/ intermittent/Present/13
At the bottom of the screen and flashing is the message WARNING; Invalid ISO code for selected vehicle system!

Unable to clear error code

Any advice as to where to from here appreciated.
Title: Re: Airbag light on- how much to clear?
Post by: bonno on September 25, 2020, 10:10:44 AM
Have you tried disconnecting and reconnecting the orange and yellow connector located in boot applicable to side curtain air bag (refer to previous posts on this thread).
Title: Re: Airbag light on- how much to clear?
Post by: bazzbazz on September 25, 2020, 03:45:00 PM
If it says Passenger Side Curtain Squib then  it will actually be the Drivers side that's the problem, remember, these were originally designed as LH drive cars.  ;)
Title: Re: Airbag light on- how much to clear?
Post by: poohbah on October 03, 2020, 11:24:08 AM
Thought you guys might be interested in my airbag warning experience.

Light came on in my 156 2 months ago when someone moved passenger side seat while engine was running.

I thought no worries, will get it reset when car was in for scheduled service (yesterday).

Received the dreaded "please call workshop" message 3 hours before car was due to be collected.

Wasn't the simple reset I expected -  actual airbag control unit was shot (car is 21yo I suppose...).

Cost of new replacement unit? $1500!!!!  Though they also had a serviceable 2nd hand unit which "only" cost $650.

I did briefly think about saying nah forget it, but I knew my missus would notice the light on ...

It was annoying as I had hoped to get away with one of those very rare "<$500" standard services...