NCT Airbag indicator fail

REXER

Folks, my wife's 99 fiat seicento has failed the NCT due to the airbag indicator light not comming on when the car is started.

The only thing is that it's a mechanical airbag in the Mk 1 seicento and the NCT will just not listen. :eek: (The airbag was offered as an optional extra)

Has anyone had the same experience recently since they started with looking for the dash indicator lights?

This is very frustrating as I now need to go to Fiat Ireland to get documentation to verify this. Surely as the experts the NCT should have these details on a national data base and the onus should be on them to prove that the car has a particular system rather than me having to run around to gather the info for the NCT!

E39MSport

You're saying there's an Airbag Indicator on the dash and it's not illuminating on startup?

To be fair to the NCT fella I'm with him on this.

Plus they're not national car thesaurus, they can't be expected to know every idiosyncrasy about a make/model.

If you knew you had an oddity about your car you should bring supporting evidence imo.

andyseadog

E39MSport wrote: »

they're not national car thesaurus, they can't be expected to know every idiosyncrasy about a make/model.

If you knew you had an oddity about your car you should bring supporting evidence imo.

have to disagree there, if they are going to scrutinize something (which is their job to do so), they need grounds to back it up.

REXER

Actually the car is bog standard with a factory fitted (optional extra) mechanical drivers airbag and not an "oddity". The Mk 1 SPI seicento's (RHD) did'nt have electronic airbags!
The same goes for Toyota starlets, some small Peugeots, Jaguars etc.

The NCT are allegedly qualified to vet cars for the puposes of VRT and roadworthy so they are indeed the national experts and should have a data base with the vehicles sold in Ireland!

The NCT centers are aware of the other cars that have mechanical systems and check them accordingly.

REXER

Folks, if your Mk 1 Fiat Seicento (97-99) with an engine like the one in the image below failed the NCT for no airbag indicator light on the dash then it may have been failed incorrectly!

Your car most likely had a mechanical airbag with no link into the electrical/electronic systems at all.

I will be posting more images of the actual system components later.



Has anyone had this problem with getting the cars through the NCT, and if so how did you go about getting it sorted?

Any feedback will be greatly appreciated.

nobody3

REXER wrote: »

Folks, if your Mk 1 Fiat Seicento (97-99) with an engine like the one in the image below failed the NCT for no airbag indicator light on the dash then it may have been failed incorrectly!

Your car most likely had a mechanical airbag with no link into the electrical/electronic systems at all.

I will be posting more images of the actual system components later.



Has anyone had this problem with getting the cars through the NCT, and if so how did you go about getting it sorted?

Any feedback will be greatly appreciated.

More proof that the whole NCT is a stealth tax.

shamwari

The NCT are very clear on this I'm afraid:

NCTS Manual wrote:

MALFUNCTION INDICATORS

Method of Testing

Ensure the malfunction indicators for Airbags, Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and Electronic Braking System (EBS) / Anti-Lock
Braking System (ABS) are in working order.

Reason for Failure

1 Not working or indicates a defect in the relevant system.

In short, if the warning light indicates a defect, or the warning light isn't working then its a valid reason for a fail. In your case, it might be no more than a blown bulb or fuse.

E39MSport

shamwari wrote: »

The NCT are very clear on this I'm afraid:



In short, if the warning light indicates a defect, or the warning light isn't working then its a valid reason for a fail. In your case, it might be no more than a blown bulb or fuse.

I went out and checked the old Starlet and indeed there's no light on el dasho. Have to admin didn't notice it before.

However, I've never experienced that problem with the NCT.

OP - I take it back.

shamwari

OP, Just to be clear: does your car have an airbag light on the dash: YES or NO??

shamwari

E39MSport wrote: »

I went out and checked the old Starlet and indeed there's no light on el dasho. Have to admin didn't notice it before.

However, I've never experienced that problem with the NCT.

OP - I take it back.

If there's no light then your fine. If you've a light that doesn't come on, or stays on constantly or flashes then you'll fail.

REXER

There is no light fitted.
There is no wiring fitted.

Here are some pics to show what there is!
The image below shows 3 empty positions that are for 3 systems that the car dos'nt have.

1. AIRBAG - Mechanical, no electrical/electronic connections. (Optional Extra)
2. ABS - Not fitted
3. POWER STEERING - Not fitted

Lots of cars have these indicators where the actual systems may not have been fitted.




Below is the rear view of the seicento Mk 1 clocks, showing the empty, unpopulated indicator possitions. Please note that the points are not even machines for lights to fit!




Below is the front view of the GASBAG Generator from the system.
(This is mounted in a cradle in the steering wheel)




Below is the rear view of the GASBAG Generator from the system.
(This clearly shows the raised ignitor off centre that triggers the generator)

The grey plastic bit in thr centre is the arming device that is rotated during installation to align parts internally. (Disarmed when it is removed from the cradle)




Below is the steering wheel mounting cradle that the generator is placed into.
The small raised semi circular bit of plastic is what rotates the arming device when the generator is installed and rotated into possition.
The hollow steering column is where the firing pin comes from when the system is triggered.



Thanks for the feedback folks, please keep it comming.

nobody3

Applus+ should know this!

Many cars have blank spaces where an option indicator might be fitted. Just because there's a symbol there, does not mean its active.

Plain stupidity. Definitely a case for appeal.

kona

Id drill it and stick a bulb into it , take a switched live from the ignition or fusebox.

I had the same crap with my own car and the rear seats being unsecured(well they left the factory like this!), to which they suggested using self tappers:rolleyes: or I needed a letter from the manufacturer. Kinda hard when they cease to exist.

Muppets. I actually hate that whole system, its totally a racket. If its over 10 years old or not a toyota or a nissan or a fairly common brand, they **** themselves and dont have a clue. Dont get me started on the emmissions.

Also it changes from tester to tester, the guy who did the next test didnt even mention seats.

shamwari

Ok, I'd do three things

1. Get a letter from Fiat to confirm that what you are saying is correct. Then go to the test centre with same and ask for a cert to be issued.

2. If they refuse to issue a test cert then contact APPLUS directly. Explain to them what has happened, insist on a cert being issued, and point out that if the matter isn't resolved satisfactorily that you will appeal the test result to the district court. Fax them a letter outlining your position with a copy of Fiat's letter

3. If that fails then the district court is your only option. And if you have to go that route then do so quickly because I reckon it may become statute barred if you take too long (perhaps 21 or 28 days). Keep a copy of all correspondences you exhange with Applus, and a diary of dates / time you spoke with Applus and the names of whom you spoke with, and that letter from Fiat. If you can prove clearly that what you are saying is correct then I don't see how they can fail the car on the Airbag indicator.

REXER

What has made me angry is the fact that the folks at the test centre refused to even concider the possability that they could be wrong!

Its like they put their fingers in their ears and started chanting NA NA NA NA NA at the top of their voices to drown out the blasfemy.

Very very frustrating!

endamoll

Hi I'm just wondering did ou get this problem sorted out because I'm having the same problem with the same car at the moment?

Lucifer

endamoll wrote: »

Hi I'm just wondering did ou get this problem sorted out because I'm having the same problem with the same car at the moment?

I recently had a Toyota starlet belong to a friend for an nct fail. I checked it out and it did have a bulb fitted in the dash but I checked autodata and it says there are 2 types of system, mechanical and electric. I checked the drivers airbag and it was mechanical so I rang the NCT enquiries and explained to them, was put on hold for a minute and she came back to say that they knew about this being a common thing with pre 02 Toyota's and to just ask for a team leader when going back to the nct and explain to them and they will issue a cert. I asked would she need to bring a letter from Toyota or anything and was told no it would be fine.

REXER

I have just seen this, I have a contact at Fiat customer service that I can PM you with when I get home this evening.

Gross incompetance is what I call it when the NCT can't get their act together on this issue!

mickdw

Did you get your own car sorted?

Ive never heard of these mechanical airbags tbh. How are they triggered?

REXER

Yes, I had to take the car to a main dealer, pay them to verify what I already knew! I am still very pissed off about the arrogant attitude of the [EMAIL="w@nkers"]w@nkers[/EMAIL] in the NCT and I intend getting compensated for my troubles. They are incompotent!

dev100

REXER wrote: »

Yes, I had to take the car to a main dealer, pay them to verify what I already knew! I am still very pissed off about the arrogant attitude of the [EMAIL="w@nkers"]w@nkers[/EMAIL] in the NCT and I intend getting compensated for my troubles. They are incompotent!

Tell them twats in the nct to look it up. Most main dealers will give you any data you need if you give them you reg number. Try ringing a dealer and get them to email you.

Darsad

good luck with getting any satisfaction from applus this is the company whos md had to be door stepped in a tesco car park by rte for a response to the prime time program . They clearly dont give a rats and are only interested in the financial side of the contract ! But i would chase them to the bitter end and remember the.small claims if you dont get any satisfaction as you did engage in a contract with them

Blancaboti

REXER wrote: »

Folks, my wife's 99 fiat seicento has failed the NCT due to the airbag indicator light not comming on when the car is started.

The only thing is that it's a mechanical airbag in the Mk 1 seicento and the NCT will just not listen. :eek: (The airbag was offered as an optional extra)

Has anyone had the same experience recently since they started with looking for the dash indicator lights?

This is very frustrating as I now need to go to Fiat Ireland to get documentation to verify this. Surely as the experts the NCT should have these details on a national data base and the onus should be on them to prove that the car has a particular system rather than me having to run around to gather the info for the NCT!

Hello my 99 Fiat Seicento sporting has failed the NCT as well due airbag indicator not turning on. Could you tell me please how did you fix this problem.. What I need to do..I went to my garage and they dont really know they will look into next week.However I would like to get some info or answer before..Its this a common problem. I have the car for 5 years and never see the indicator light !! thanks

Chimaera

It may be similar to the OP's situation, where there isn't an electronic system for the airbags (I must admit to being surprised a mechanical system exists). You'd need to find out if this is the case and pursue it with NCTS. The suggestion of asking to speak to a team leader at the test centre is a good one.

Blancaboti

Sorry but this is the case and I try to find out..but where and how,those are my questions !!

wingnut

This kind of thing would go down a treat on Liveline. "We're still waiting to hear back from the NCT". Might be worth a shot.

Blancaboti

Thanks

Mycroft H

Talk to Fiat Ireland

Chimaera

Blancaboti wrote: »

Sorry but this is the case and I try to find out..but where and how,those are my questions !!

The OP on this thread detailed quite clearly the steps he followed to have this resolved. I didn't think I'd need to spell that out to you.

My suggestion of talking to a team leader at the centre is that there's probably a record of this anomaly on their system but it may not be general knowledge among the testers if they haven't run into it (I doubt there are too many Seicentos around these days). The team leader could look into it for you and you might find that there is no additional effort required on your part.

fiarel

Hi,

I just Failed my NCT yesterday, for this same reason. I tried to talk to customer service but with no luck, i will try to talk to Team Lider in NCT Center, but i dont have to much home,

Do you know best way to contact FIAT to get this confirmation as fast as possible. So far i filled inquiry form but i dont know how long it will take to contact proper person.

I will be grateful for any help.