Airbag control module replacement

robdex1

Have had a warning light for the airbag randomly come on (not been in an accident). Took it to my local garage who had a look and was pretty sure it was something called a squib but he was reluctant to investigate further as he said it was fused to the airbag. Recommended a specialist who upon further diagnostics have said it is the control module that needs replacing. They have said the price from honda is £550. I have a 2007 Honda jazz se. Just had a thought is it possible to get a 2nd hand part from somewhere? I think the garage will only want to give me a genuine part but I'm not sure how I would go about finding the right part. Had a look on a website called breaker yard. Got two quotes already. Both say used 1 month guarantee. One proce is £250 and the other quote is £20! Am I asking for trouble getting a second hand part?

Goudy

There are some helpful Youtube videos regarding access and replacement of the SRS ECU.

Honda Jazz 2006 airbag light on fix srs faulty unit fault code 12-01 Open or Increased Resistance.. - YouTube

You find the right part, get the part numbers off the old one first.

The trouble with a used unit from a breakers is that it might already have operated due to an accident and there could be further activated codes stored inside it, which then need clearing.

There is some more help around Youtube regards clearing these codes though.

robdex1

Goudy said:

There are some helpful Youtube videos regarding access and replacement of the SRS ECU.

Honda Jazz 2006 airbag light on fix srs faulty unit fault code 12-01 Open or Increased Resistance.. - YouTube

You find the right part, get the part numbers off the old one first.

The trouble with a used unit from a breakers is that it might already have operated due to an accident and there could be further activated codes stored inside it, which then need clearing.

There is some more help around Youtube regards clearing these codes though.

Thanks for your reply. Followed the video and figured out how to get access to srs ecu. What I'm concerned about it was covered in dust so the garage clearly hasn't looked at it to find the part numbers. How did they know which part they would be ordering? I know they got the price direct from honda so maybe they used the vin number or something or honda knew from the reg?

Goudy

I presume they would have read the trouble codes stored in the unit.
This would have been done via the onboard diagnostic port.

You can't access them with a normal code reader. To read SRS and ABS modules you usually need a more sophisticated code reader. 
The usual codes readers people have at home are generic types that will just read the engine ECU (and often incorrectly).

More often than not, I would want to see those codes myself before I forked out anything on repair.
A unit failure code could quite easily be a blown fuse.
I've seen dealers make that mistake with a VW ABS module, it only needed a new flat link fuse that was hidden in the battery box lid and they wanted to replace the whole pump and ECU.

Yes if you go to the dealers they can look up the parts from the VIN or reg.
But if you don't then there is usually an identification codes on parts like ECU's. 

robdex1

Goudy said:

I presume they would have read the trouble codes stored in the unit.
This would have been done via the onboard diagnostic port.

You can't access them with a normal code reader. To read SRS and ABS modules you usually need a more sophisticated code reader. 
The usual codes readers people have at home are generic types that will just read the engine ECU (and often incorrectly).

Yes if you go to the dealers they can look up the parts from the VIN or reg.
But if you don't then there is usually an identification codes on parts like ECU's. 

Ah OK yeah did mention about using more advanced diagnostics so that must have given them the part code I guess. I found an airbag specialist online airbagman.co.uk who says he can get me a second hand one. He hasn't given a price he needs the part code first. If I find the part myself its probably cheaper but then how do I know it works and I will still need someone to install it for me

Goudy

I think a new unit is pretty much plug and play but might need a system reset, which you can find out how to do online.
More modern cars tend to need to be told something like this part is new.

robdex1

Goudy said:

I think a new unit is pretty much plug and play but might need a system reset, which you can find out how to do online.
More modern cars tend to need to be told something like this part is new.

Yeah I imagine it is but I'm worried I could do it wrong. Also no clue how to reset it. How do they determine that mine needs replacing rather than just resetting? I wasn't in a crash or anything so wonder why it is damaged