Unfortunately, based on his keenness to possible liability issues during my short conversation with him, I doubt seriously that he would share that kind of information.
Depending on the response FNA gives the good folks here at my local Ferrari dealer, I may do so....... Will update as info rolls in....
I agree. I have a terrible time getting information from manufacturers for that reason. I was looking for some rubber hose once that would handle brake fluid and they were so concerned I was going to make brake hoses out of it none of the rubber manufacturers wanted to talk about it.
I dug into this quiet a bit. I am not so sure anymore this is a major issue. UK, Belgium, Netherlands, Austria is full of companies doing repairs on ECU and resetting error and crash data codes (plus seat tensioners etc....) The Alfa guys even have their own set-up and software running to clear lights and codes (seems an MOT failure in Uk if light does not what it is supposed to do). So I called two of them and the answer is pretty straight."Ok a TRW, from what year,?" 1997, ok early one" "Ferrari? O yeah Fiat then. "We will need to solder on the circuit board" Turn-around time 2 days. So what gives? Are they taking this to lightly? Am I missing something?
This is great news! Can you share the contact information of some of these companies? I believe the problem with finding someone to repair occupant safety devices here in the US, is that we have so many ambulance chasers and everyone is afraid of being sued!!
As long as it is not considered an industry accepted repair (and in the US it has not been) any shop performing that repair would be exposed to liability. Not to mention that if I go off the farm in repair procedures my insurance will not want to be behind me should something happen. There have been companies offering repair service here and it has been awful. I know of no reputable shop, dealer or any of the mobile air bag repair services so often used by body shops that will use them. You are correct about liability. In the US a big factor in business, any business is avoiding liability. If I fix your car the way Ferrari says it should be fixed and something goes wrong not related to my workmanship I just point the lawyers to FNA. If I choose not to do it their way it is all on me. And doing that with any of the safety systems of a car is just stupid.
Austria (they list the 550 ECU specifically) www.chip-tronics.com - Willkommen bei Chip-Tronics Netherlands: Spoken to them ("Ferrari? Whatever, its an ECU from TWR") Airbag module reparatie, gordelspanner revisie, airbag verkoop. Or Airbagbank: Alle airbags op 1 site Belgium Motor-Ecu - Motor-Ecu UK (big business, Airbag light on NO MOT, Car worthless) ECU, ABS, Throttle Body Testing & Repair | UK ACtronics Repair Your Module | Airbags For Sale Price ranges from 80-120. No idea if they are all high quality.... Since I am lazy I will pay a visit to the one in Belgium, not so far from where I live.....
Hello again. The Alfa 145 or 146 Airbag ECU is a direct replacement for the 550. Part numbers 60631206 and 46538798. I will dissasemble review and report back.
The direction indicator relay is the same which the Alfa 166 has. The heater radiator from the 166 is the same which the Maserati 4200 has. Perhaps there are other compatible parts which came from the Alfa 166 or 156. Daniel
I can confirm that the replacement works as a charm. The old ECU was fried. (Btw the bulge on the capacitor is "normal" as it is a drop of clear coating on the board. Airbag light comes on at ignition and goes out as required. The Alfa 145 or 146 Airbag ECU is a direct replacement for the 550. Part numbers Alfa Romeo 60631206 and 46538798 and 60615633.
Sorry to revive an older thread, but any feedback from anyone trying one of these Alfa airbag ECUs in a euro 550?
