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550 Airbag ECU

Discussion in 'Technical Q&A' started by sweetspotav, May 13, 2015.

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  1. sweetspotav

    sweetspotav Karting

    Nov 21, 2004
    122
    Florida
    Full Name:
    John Cawley
    #1 sweetspotav, May 13, 2015
    I have a '98 550 with the airbag light on. I have had the car scanned with Auto Enginuity software and the computer was not able to communicate with the ECU. I have sent the ECU to a company to have it "reset" with no luck. I have opened the ECU and can see no visible signs of damage. Ferrari no longer supplies the ECU for replacement. Is there a possibility that another models ECU would work or is there an aftermarket company that can repair the ECU? I have contact TRW and they are trying to get me in touch with their European departments that work on the airbag ECU's but they said they probably don't have the parts due to the car being over 15 years old. I am very desperate and would like to solve this problem. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
    Thanks!
     
  2. ferraridriver

    ferraridriver F1 Rookie

    Aug 8, 2002
    4,152
    Bay Area Calif.
    Full Name:
    Dave
    #2 ferraridriver, May 13, 2015
    Have you taken it to someone with an SD 2/3 ?

    I've been told that that's the only way to reset an airbag light.
     
  3. voicey

    voicey Formula 3

    Jul 29, 2009
    1,193
    London, UK
    Full Name:
    Aldous Voice
    #3 voicey, May 14, 2015
    The Auto Enginuity scanner wont connect to the ECU and neither will a Texa Diagnostics - you need to get the car to an SD2 with the correct software.
     
  4. rustybits

    rustybits F1 Rookie
    Professional Ferrari Technician

    Jan 28, 2007
    2,509
    Somewhere, anywhere
    Full Name:
    Eddie B
    #4 rustybits, May 14, 2015
    They won't communicate with anything, including an sd2, when they have an internal ic failure. Usually caused by jump starting or other voltage related issues. Unfortunately when you get a "no comms" situation all you can do is replace it...
     
  5. Rifledriver

    Rifledriver Three Time F1 World Champ

    Apr 29, 2004
    37,106
    Cowboy Capitol of the World
    Full Name:
    Brian Crall
    #5 Rifledriver, May 14, 2015
    Last edited: May 14, 2015
    There is an internal capacitor that actually supplies the current to the air bag detonator. On every key up it charges. During this charging cycle a voltage spike will kill it.


    Did it myself once and saw it happen. Good thing it was under warranty so I could give him a new one.

    I am unaware of any aftermarket device that will turn the light out.

    Companies have offered repair. The repair is not industry recognized so there would be great liability involved for anyone installing one or knowingly operating or selling a car with one.

    Air bag is a federally required safety device. I cannot believe Ferrari has a choice in the matter of supplying them.
    Get it in writing from a dealer and give NHTSA a call. I think there will be a come to Jesus conversation between them as a result.
     
  6. dodici

    dodici Karting

    Mar 24, 2007
    101
    Bay Area, CA.
    Full Name:
    Dale
    #6 dodici, May 16, 2015
    If the airbag light is on simply because the dash was removed without killing all of the car power (the airbag ECU senses this as a fault), then it can be reset using a Leanardo connected to the yellow airbag connector provided for that in the passenger foot well. I've no experience with an SD2 or SD3 but it would seem to me that function would also be available. However if the airbag ECU was fried, well then time for a new one.
     

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