crash locked SRS issue

[Captain Hat]

Right, so, did a quick keyword search and didn't find what I was after. It could be that my search-fu is weak, but that being what it is I figured I'd go ahead and ask:

I have a Clio 172 Cup. Had a crash a year and a half ago. The pretensioners on the driver's side fired, and when I plug my OBD2 reader in it says there's a permanent fault code and the ECU has locked itself because of the crash. There are a few people online saying they can reset the "airbag ECU" for between £30 and £70ish but I'm not sure i trust them. I am also not 100% sure what I'm dealing with here;

-Is this an issue with the UCH, or is it a separate module?

-If it's a separate thing, where is it, and is it hard coded to the UCH/ECU like they are to each other, or can I just replace it with a second hand one?

-Has anyone used one of these crash data reset services before? Were they reliable?

-Is there anything else I need to know?

This is, as far as I can tell, the last thing I need to fix before I can get it MOTd and back on the road. It's proving to be a little confusing for me so far, and as such is quite frustrating. Thanks in advance for the help!

 

[Crayola]

I think you can replace the airbag ECU which might unlock it

@Filters is this the same issue you had on your cup?

 

[Daniel]

I’ve used the guys on eBay numerous times. Can’t fault them.

(airbag ECU reset, UCH repairs, ECU repairs, key card repairs)

you’ll be fine.

 

[JamesBryan]

The airbag ECU is under the centre console/cup holder area.

Send it off to one of the reputable eBay repair pages to be reset.

 

[Dom_capper]

As above, eBay guys are fine. I’ve waited outside someone’s house for 20 mins whilst they’ve flashed an ecu for me, quick fix

 

[Captain Hat]

Thanks for the quick response guys!

So, to clarify: The airbag controller ("airbag ECU") is a separate unit, it seems like? And not hard coded to the UCH/ECU? And it sits under the centre console- sounds like it's next to where the OBD2 port is? If so, that's not too hard to get to.

I had a parts car that I scrapped a while back, I might take a rustle through the bits I kept to see if I've got a spare airbag ECU in the workshop already; otherwise it's off to eBay to get the old one reset.

 

[JamesBryan]

Thanks for the quick response guys!

So, to clarify: The airbag controller ("airbag ECU") is a separate unit, it seems like? And not hard coded to the UCH/ECU? And it sits under the centre console- sounds like it's next to where the OBD2 port is? If so, that's not too hard to get to.

I had a parts car that I scrapped a while back, I might take a rustle through the bits I kept to see if I've got a spare airbag ECU in the workshop already; otherwise it's off to eBay to get the old one reset.

Yeah easy enough to access.

A doner airbag ECU would need to be from an identical spec car i.e. a Cup I believe.

 

[hopgop1]

It's basically under the front cup holders I believe, separate from the UCH, not sure that it's coded to the car at all.

 

[Captain Hat]

Yeah easy enough to access.

A doner airbag ECU would need to be from an identical spec car i.e. a Cup I believe.

Yeah, my parts car was another Cup. Was written off by a much lighter impact in 2016 when they were worth a lot less; last time it ran the dash was clear so I assume the airbag ECU should be OK.

 

[Daniel]

I’ve had to do one before because the previous owner spilt a can of coke in the cup holder and it fried the airbag module. 😂

 

[hopgop1]

I’ve had to do one before because the previous owner spilt a can of coke in the cup holder and it fried the airbag module. 😂

Exactly the same as what had happened on my first car, spent ages chasing the airbag light and it turned out the airbag module itself was covered in someone's spilled drink.

 

[Dom_capper]

I was of the understanding that the ecu is paired with the car in some way so it was easier to reset than replace?

 

[Louis]

I’ve had to do one before because the previous owner spilt a can of coke in the cup holder and it fried the airbag module. 😂

Throwback name change

 

[Daniel]

Throwback name change

Don’t get used to it. Mr Prick will be along shortly…

 

[Brigsy]

Airbag ecu can simply be changed for another no issues, apart from config may need programming to suit airbags.

You can also unlock/reset crash data on airbag ecu with Ren0link, easy to do if you have access.

 

[Filters]

I think you can replace the airbag ECU which might unlock it

@Filters is this the same issue you had on your cup?

Similar..
Pothole fired off the passenger side seatbelt pretensioner - didn't lock the main ecu but obviously had codes - airbag ECU and pretensioner replaced job jobbed.

 

[Touring_Rob]

Don’t get used to it. Mr Prick will be along shortly…

I see you've loaned someone a car 🤣

 

[Captain Hat]

As an update: I found the airbag ECU from the parts car, fitted it and everything worked perfectly

Then took it for the MOT and it turns out a couple of my lights were broken

The front side light & brake light were easy enough to fix but the number plate illuminator I've tried everything on and as far as I can tell the connector at the loom end is just so badly corroded there's no power getting through.

I do have power to the wires at that point so there's nothing underlying, but I need a new connector and probably a new numberplate light fitting as well.

Anyone got one going spare?

 

[Louis]

As an update: I found the airbag ECU from the parts car, fitted it and everything worked perfectly

Then took it for the MOT and it turns out a couple of my lights were broken

The front side light & brake light were easy enough to fix but the number plate illuminator I've tried everything on and as far as I can tell the connector at the loom end is just so badly corroded there's no power getting through.

I do have power to the wires at that point so there's nothing underlying, but I need a new connector and probably a new numberplate light fitting as well.

Anyone got one going spare?

You can actually buy the numberplate wiring from Renault. It's so common 🤣

 

[JamesBryan]

The light fitting itself used to be about £10 new from Renault.

 

[Captain Hat]

The light fitting itself used to be about £10 new from Renault.

I can get the light fitting from RPD or Euro Car Parts easy enough but the connector at the loom end is bright green with corrosion and I'm basically getting no connectivity through it so the fitting alone isn't enough :/

I have checked the voltage at the back of the connector and there is power to the wires, it's just got no way through to the fitting.

 

[Crayola]

As Louis said. You can buy that part of the loom from Renault. Same with the updated blue plug crank sensor loom

 

[Captain Hat]

Fair enough. Will make enquiries, see what I can find.

 

[Crayola]

I may have some loom and a plug. I'd have to check though

 

[Brigsy]

You can actually buy the numberplate wiring from Renault. It's so common 🤣

Any part numbers? Ive had to resuscitate both of mine a few times

 

[Captain Hat]

Any part numbers? Ive had to resuscitate both of mine a few times

I asked more or less this question on the CS facebook group and got this answer:

7700410754 . And i use : 8200673202 as the connector.

The first number is the light fitting, the second is for a crankshaft TDC sensor connector that looks- to me anyway- like it's basically the exact same part as the connector for the number plate illuminator except blue instead of black. Notably, both of these are on the RPD website, where the black connector that's "supposed" to be correct isn't up there.

 

[Louis]

Yeah the crankshaft sensor connector is the same

 

[Touring_Rob]

If you buy this you get a new connector with wires and a spare crankshaft position sensor. Lesser brands are even cheaper:

https://m.autodoc.co.uk/hella/938205

https://m.autodoc.co.uk/abakus/8629635