Airbag ECU module

[whitmers]

Hi chaps, I finally got my Phase 2 diagnostic scanned to find out whats putting up the airbag light and it's come up with an internal fault on the airbag ECU module.

Does anybody know where it's hidden?

Would I be able to replace it with a 2nd hand one from a Clio of the same age thats not a V6?

Many thanks Martin

 

[Kett]

Compatibility shouldn’t be a problem at all...

...colour/texture match and finding a age-related non-sticky one could be the challenge.

Probably worth joining the laugh-a-minute cliosport.net or keep scanning Ebay (search dashboards too).

 

[9810588]

Hi Martin,

Can you please share what the error codes are like?

I suspect my airbag ECU is faulty too because I have error codes showing faults on each airbag plus a few “unknown” errors.

The airbag ECU is located under the cup holders, just in front of the gear stick. I haven’t tried removing the plastic centre tunnel so can’t comment if it’s easy or difficult.

As for second hand ECU, I heard it is coded to the car so it needs a new replacement. Unsure how truthful that is.

 

[Kett]

Compatibility shouldn’t be a problem at all...

...colour/texture match and finding a age-related non-sticky one could be the challenge.

Probably worth joining the laugh-a-minute cliosport.net or keep scanning Ebay (search dashboards too).

Apologies- I read the post as an front airbag fault.

 

[Duncan]

As far as I understand the airbag ECU is the same across all Clio Mk2s.....so they all share the same part number however the configuration on the ECU differs from dependant on spec.

I don't know if the V6 ECU configuration is different to the 182 configuration.
You can send the ECU off to be repaired (less than £50), or you can buy any other clio one with the same part number and have it reconfigured to v6 configuration.

well worth a search on cliosport.net as Kett says!

 

[idefix]

There are at least a dozent of part numbers for mk2 airbag ecus.
You can’t just “reconfigure” them.
Only virgin ecu’s can be configured to the car.

Had a similar problem years ago and after searching for two years i ended up getting a new one from Renault for around 300€

 

[ed_harland]

Crashdata .co.uk 50% off in September

 

[whitmers]

No worries Kett

Removed my ECU and took it with my to my local breakers to see if I could match it up. Found a 2003/4 3 door Clio, don't know what engine it once had. After removing the ECU I noticed the that the Renault part numbers didn't match but breaker only wanted a tenner so it was worth taking a gamble on. Especially as the replacement was nice and clean and mine was covered in coffee/coke. Was a bit nervous after fitting because I didn't want all the bags to go off when I turned the key but all seems good, the warning lights and service light all went out. Don't know if I just struck it lucky or maybe the system won't perform as it should during an accident but i'm happy that I can now go ahead and prep it for it's MOT.

I don't know what the actual fault codes were but the chap that scanned it said that it had loads of faults relating to the airbag system as well as an ECU internal fault so it was assumed that the ECU was probably creating all the faults. The faults could be cleared but once switched back on all the faults came straight back.

The removal of the ECU can be done without removing the whole of the center console but its a bit fiddly.
1 disconnect battery
2 remove ash tray
3 remove cup holders and unplug fag lighter
4 remove the push in plastic clips either side of the OBD socket
5 undo the 3 nuts holding the metal cover and ECU
6 lift up metal cover and wrestle free the ECU and unplug

Hope this info is useful. Martin

 

[9810588]

In case someone else came across this problem in the future, I just replaced my airbag ECU too with one from a Clio 172. Part number didn't match the ECU that's in the car but it works. The original airbag ECU is 8200277317, the 172 ECU is 8200230857.

Had to reconfigure the airbag settings to disable the rear seats pretensioners. I use RSTUNER diagnostic software with the add-on airbag software modules for reconfiguring the ECU. You definitely don't need brand new virgin ECU.

To undo one nut, I had to cut the carpet mat. The ECU connector is a big pain in the butt to disconnect, partly because there's no slack in the cable loom. The orange safety lever rotates as shown by the arrow to unplug the connector but it was locked firmly in position. After so much swearing, a big flat screwdriver did the job levering it off.

One problem solve. Onto the next one now: seized steering track rod!

 

[Ben123]

For future reference. If struggling with the connector, there is a push in button on the top of the lever. Push this in first, then swing the latch up. It goes really easily!