FIAT Punto II (1999 - 2006) - 2003 - Airbag Warning Light

Honest John Back Room » Motoring discussion
View Threaded
Thu 31 Jan 2008 16:18
2003 - Airbag Warning Light - bax
The Airbag Warning Light on our 03 Fiat Punto came on today and we have been unable to get info from Fiat - Fiat UK advised us to contact the dealer and the dealer is permanently busy.
What we need to know is: does the light -on mean that the airbags would not operate in the event of an accident or are they liable to operate spontaneously?
We can live with the former but obviously not with the latter.
Any info would be gratefully received.
We thank you in anticipation. bax

Edited by Dynamic Dave on 31/01/2008 at 16:49

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Thu 31 Jan 2008 16:52
2003 - Airbag Warning Light - Dynamic Dave
What we need to know is: does the light -on mean that the airbags would
not operate in the event of an accident


Correct. Light is indicating a system fault and will be inoperative.
We can live with the former but obviously not with the latter.


But would you live in the event of an accident if your airbags didn't go off? Also, would your insurance pay out if they discovered that a safety device fitted to the car was inoperative?
Fiat UK advised us to contact the dealer and the dealer is permanently busy.


Then try an independant garage. Most, if not all will have a code reader to reveal the fault.
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Thu 31 Jan 2008 16:54
2003 - Airbag Warning Light - SteVee
Don't know about Fiat specifically - but generally means that the airbags are less likely to operate - so your former statement applies.

The light normally indicates more than just airbags - maybe seatbelt tensioners also.
Typically there's an under-seat connection that has come apart (maybe still together, but not pushed home fully). Pushing the connections home show extinguish the light.

Be very careful with what you do with these circuits.
Read your manual carefully before doing anything.
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Thu 31 Jan 2008 17:35
2003 - Airbag Warning Light - bax
Thankyou for the info.
All of what you advise makes sense and is helpful.
At least we can use the car for essential journeys if there is a delay getting it fixed.
bax
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Fri 1 Feb 2008 08:37
2003 - Airbag Warning Light - oilrag
Try a different battery, sometimes low battery voltage (newish Halfords battery in our case) can cause this to happen, as it did on our 02 Mk2 1.9 Diesel.

This was intermittent illumination of the airbag light, we never saw that again after fitting a more powerful OE Fiat replacement. £20 more, I think, but worth it.

Regards
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Fri 1 Feb 2008 08:58
2003 - Airbag Warning Light - drivewell
Not an uncommon Punto issue (from that generation).

Air bag wiring runs over top of glove box. This can easily be disturbed, especially if glove box is full. ask yourself ...have you recently had to push the glovebox hard to close it?

You need to have this checked first. Fiat dealer should check this, and re-set light for 0.5 hours labour at the most.
Reply | Report as offensive | Link

We give you the low down on how to save on insurance, little-known tricks and tips, what insurance groups mean and how to use insurance aggregators to beat insurers.

Insurance group finder and how to save on insurance

From which small car to buy at which price point to the best UK-built cars, our Top 10s have the lot. Click now for your shortlist.

Unsure of what to buy? Our Top 10s are here to help you....