e-call failure

[HelgeL]

I had this failure two times during last year. It always came on after the car was parked for a longer time (>1 week). In both cases also the GPS and the compass did not work.
The first time I ignored it and after a few days it started working again. The second time I tried the CB reset mentioned above and that also was successful, for ecall as well as the GPS-part.

 

[Eric]

I have the same warning just now, Its the 3rd time I have had it, each time caused by leaving the PWR switch on and draining the battery. I have not managed to find a way to fix it. Annoyingly when the car was at the dealers for the turbo hose repair they didn't clear the code! I only noticed after I had left. They also refused to reset the service interval as they hadn't done the service! The fault code reader can't come soon enough.

The last time I had this warning it cleared itself, I have no idea how. I had left the car parked at work for 5 days as I was working away from home. when I got back the code had gone!

Would seem to suggest that when the starter battery goes flat the eCall stays live using its own internal battery, flattering that in due course, presumably it is very small capacity vs consumption. And after a prolonged period the internal eCall battery is slowly recharged, clearing the eCall fault.
See post#12 to #14 on this thread.

 

[Dermot]

An update: Our garage is now trying to get technicians from INEOS on site and has now confirmed that our problem is not an isolated incident. Something seems to be moving.

You are not alone in the call error. Mine comes on regularly as I often undertake short journeys and the battery charge level drops and voila the error light comes on and stays until my next visit to the dealer. I now check the battery charge regularly to keep the light off. On the other side my car refused to restart at traffic lights that were red and I was stuck blocking the road. I pushed the e call button and nothing happened. I locked car directed traffic around and after 4-5 minor restarted and I was on my way. Have your dealer check that the call works even when it has a healthy green light D

 

[Magical Mystery Tours]

You are not alone in the call error. Mine comes on regularly as I often undertake short journeys and the battery charge level drops and voila the error light comes on and stays until my next visit to the dealer. I now check the battery charge regularly to keep the light off. On the other side my car refused to restart at traffic lights that were red and I was stuck blocking the road. I pushed the e call button and nothing happened. I locked car directed traffic around and after 4-5 minor restarted and I was on my way. Have your dealer check that the call works even when it has a healthy green light D

Our garage replaced a part in the center console, and since then all the faults have disappeared and the battery performance is now averaging over 90-95%. The eCall system also works perfectly, although I prefer to dial 112 on my cell phone in emergencies. With eCall, you never know who will answer and whether the person is familiar with the area. This is due to the different procedures of the system. When eCall calls the nearest fire and rescue service control center, everything is fine. If there is a call center in between, it becomes difficult.

 

[Eric]

Our garage replaced a part in the center console, and since then all the faults have disappeared and the battery performance is now averaging over 90-95%. The eCall system also works perfectly, although I prefer to dial 112 on my cell phone in emergencies. With eCall, you never know who will answer and whether the person is familiar with the area. This is due to the different procedures of the system. When eCall calls the nearest fire and rescue service control center, everything is fine. If there is a call center in between, it becomes difficult.

The idea of eCall is in the event of a "heavy" bump it auto dials the emergency services on the assumption you are/may be incapacitated and unable to call. It also sends your location, by GPS I assume.

 

[Dermot]

The idea of eCall is in the event of a "heavy" bump it auto dials the emergency services on the assumption you are/may be incapacitated and unable to call. It also sends your location, by GPS I assume.

Thanks for that , Am I correct in understanding your statement that the e call button works automatically? I was stuck in the middle of a busy road and I pressed the the button in desperation and I have never received a call or anything.

 

[Eric]

Thanks for that , Am I correct in understanding your statement that the e call button works automatically? I was stuck in the middle of a busy road and I pressed the the button in desperation and I have never received a call or anything.

Not sure how it works, but in an emergency it is inertia activated, but can be operated manually. Need to check the manual because manually it is double touch operated, vis press once then press again within x seconds to prevent accidental ( kids or growth up adults) tampering and just trying it. It is not for breakdowns but medical emergencies. It can be used for reporting an accident of another vehicle that is with you though if medical assistance is required. If pressed for a breakdown as opposed to a medical emergency they will very politely decline assistance.
There is a paragraph in the owner’s manual. I think that there is a regulation that requires all new cars to be fitted with eCall

 

[Skydance]

Not sure how it works, but in an emergency it is inertia activated, but can be operated manually. Need to check the manual because manually it is double touch operated, vis press once then press again within x seconds to prevent accidental ( kids or growth up adults) tampering and just trying it. It is not for breakdowns but medical emergencies. It can be used for reporting an accident of another vehicle that is with you though if medical assistance is required. If pressed for a breakdown as opposed to a medical emergency they will very politely decline assistance.
There is a paragraph in the owner’s manual. I think that there is a regulation that requires all new cars to be fitted with eCall

They have GPS coordinates so emergency services know exactly where you are. I bet they also know what speed your driving too so insurers and police can investigate.

 

[Magical Mystery Tours]

The idea of eCall is in the event of a "heavy" bump it auto dials the emergency services on the assumption you are/may be incapacitated and unable to call. It also sends your location, by GPS I assume.

They have GPS coordinates so emergency services know exactly where you are. I bet they also know what speed your driving too so insurers and police can investigate.

I know that. It's just that theory and practice aren't perfectly aligned. Normally, the emergency call should go to the responsible rescue coordination center (RCC). They usually know their area well. I worked in an RCC for the fire department and rescue services for over 10 years. They have trained staff who know how a qualified emergency call works. In the best case scenario, eCall connects to the responsible RCC and transmits the coordinates. That takes care of an important part. The RCC knows where the emergency is. The system also transmits the number of people in the car – this information is determined based on the seat belts, i.e., anyone who is not wearing a seat belt is not counted.

However, this is not enough. The dispatcher at the RCC can establish voice contact, as not everyone is responsive in every emergency. Things become difficult if people leave the vehicle after the eCall system has been triggered. In this case, voice communication via the hands-free system is of little use. I don't know whether further data would be useful for police investigations, but I consider this unlikely, as a system similar to an aircraft black box has been in development for some time. However, the technical possibilities would exist, and some motor insurance companies would like to have access to the data. According to the German automobile club ADAC, eCall currently transmits the following information:

• Time of the accident
• Type of activation: manual or automatic
• The 17-digit vehicle identification number (VIN)
• Drive type (e.g., gasoline, diesel, gas, electric) and vehicle class
• Vehicle position
• The last two vehicle positions (latitude and longitude differences from the current vehicle position)
• Direction of travel of the vehicle
• Number of occupants (if seat belts are fastened)
• Optional additional data (not specified in detail; may include, for example, an (IP) address from which further relevant data or functions can be accessed)

However, some eCall systems now connect to the vehicle manufacturer, which has set up a call center for this purpose — but these call centers do not have trained personnel like the RCCs, nor can they deploy rescue equipment. This means that an emergency call from the eCall system to the manufacturer can be very time-consuming. And time is a precious commodity in an emergency. In other words, eCall only makes sense if it connects to the responsible RCC via the European emergency number 112. I don't know how INEOS has solved this.

Incidentally, eCall should only be used manually for medical emergencies. Technical problems with the vehicle should not be reported via eCall.

Of course, I can only write about Europe and Germany in particular; everything else is beyond my knowledge.

 

[Eric]

I know that. It's just that theory and practice aren't perfectly aligned. Normally, the emergency call should go to the responsible rescue coordination center (RCC). They usually know their area well. I worked in an RCC for the fire department and rescue services for over 10 years. They have trained staff who know how a qualified emergency call works. In the best case scenario, eCall connects to the responsible RCC and transmits the coordinates. That takes care of an important part. The RCC knows where the emergency is. The system also transmits the number of people in the car – this information is determined based on the seat belts, i.e., anyone who is not wearing a seat belt is not counted.

However, this is not enough. The dispatcher at the RCC can establish voice contact, as not everyone is responsive in every emergency. Things become difficult if people leave the vehicle after the eCall system has been triggered. In this case, voice communication via the hands-free system is of little use. I don't know whether further data would be useful for police investigations, but I consider this unlikely, as a system similar to an aircraft black box has been in development for some time. However, the technical possibilities would exist, and some motor insurance companies would like to have access to the data. According to the German automobile club ADAC, eCall currently transmits the following information:

• Time of the accident
• Type of activation: manual or automatic
• The 17-digit vehicle identification number (VIN)
• Drive type (e.g., gasoline, diesel, gas, electric) and vehicle class
• Vehicle position
• The last two vehicle positions (latitude and longitude differences from the current vehicle position)
• Direction of travel of the vehicle
• Number of occupants (if seat belts are fastened)
• Optional additional data (not specified in detail; may include, for example, an (IP) address from which further relevant data or functions can be accessed)

However, some eCall systems now connect to the vehicle manufacturer, which has set up a call center for this purpose — but these call centers do not have trained personnel like the RCCs, nor can they deploy rescue equipment. This means that an emergency call from the eCall system to the manufacturer can be very time-consuming. And time is a precious commodity in an emergency. In other words, eCall only makes sense if it connects to the responsible RCC via the European emergency number 112. I don't know how INEOS has solved this.

Incidentally, eCall should only be used manually for medical emergencies. Technical problems with the vehicle should not be reported via eCall.

Of course, I can only write about Europe and Germany in particular; everything else is beyond my knowledge.

That's useful information. I can't see Ineos having its own manufacturers call centre in view of the low production numbers.

 

[Magical Mystery Tours]

That's useful information. I can't see Ineos having its own manufacturers call centre in view of the low production numbers.

I don't think so either, but maybe a third-party provider - which wouldn't make sense either.

Incidentally, I called the INEOS service number once (and never again) and quickly had the feeling of being turned away. Initially, the employee told me that he was only responsible for the EU and listed the following: Germany, France, Belgium... He didn't have Luxembourg on the list. When I explained to him that Luxembourg is even a founding member of the EU, he asked me for the number of the contract INEOS has with his call center. I then broke off the conversation due to incompetence. This is just one example to show what happens when you outsource... In a truly life-threatening situation, this can be fatal.

Perhaps the legislators will finally create uniform, legally binding structures for the eCall system that are also binding for the manufacturers. The automobile clubs are also calling for this.

 

[Gwynne]

Thanks Alvan. I had the red warning light and amber triangle in the dash display a while ago. This was fixed by my dealer (who are no longer a dealer) with a software update and re-boot. Now I just have the red ecall light with no amber triangle and no local dealer. Is the advice the same

(1) Turn off the ignition
(2) Remove the fuse
(3) Lock the car and let it turn everything off
(4) Unlock
(5) Replace fuse

and everything will be nirvana?

Thanks Guys

I did exactly this and it worked perfectly, back to a green light. Many thanks again, brilliant to have this advice on the forum.