What is an Audi Q5 FY / 8R airbag control unit?
The Audi Q5 FY and 8R airbag control unit is the heart of your vehicle's passive safety system, precisely activating all occupant restraint systems, such as airbags and seatbelt pretensioners, in the event of a collision or accident. It continuously monitors sensors in the vehicle, stores important crash data, and is essential for the proper functioning of all airbag modules to ensure your safety.
This central module collects data from various sensors, including impact and acceleration sensors, to assess the severity of an accident.
Based on this information, it triggers the appropriate airbags and belt tensioners within milliseconds to provide optimal protection for the occupants.
After an accident, crash data is permanently stored in the control unit. This data is important for accident reconstruction and can be reset if the Audi Q5 FY airbag control unit is repaired.
Why is the Audi Q5 FY / 8R airbag control unit defective?
An Audi Q5 FY or 8R airbag control unit can fail for a variety of reasons, often after an accident due to stored crash data, but also due to moisture damage, short circuits, or age-related wear and tear, which can impair the safety systems and require repair. Failure leads to the activation of the airbag warning light and the potential loss of the protective function.
After an accident, the airbag control unit is usually locked to prevent accidental re-deployment and requires resetting or replacement.
Water ingress into the vehicle interior can lead to corrosion and short circuits in the control unit, causing it to fail.
Electrical surges or faulty wiring can also damage the control unit and cause a failure.
Sometimes internal component errors or software bugs cause the airbag control unit to malfunction and require professional diagnosis.
Common error codes for Audi Q5 FY airbag control unit repair
When diagnosing a faulty Audi Q5 FY airbag control unit, specific error codes will appear. These indicate problems with communication, airbag igniters, or system components, allowing precise identification of the fault for effective repair. These codes indicate that the airbag system is not functioning properly and that a specialist workshop should be consulted.
- B1000 → Control unit communication error → Cause: Internal fault of the control unit or problem in the data bus communication with other modules.
- 00588 → Driver airbag igniter (N95) resistance faulty → Cause: Resistance in the driver airbag ignition circuit too high or too low, often caused by a broken cable, defective igniter or control unit error.
- 01217 → Driver's side airbag igniter (N199) Error → Cause: Malfunction in the ignition circuit of the driver's side airbag, usually due to defective wiring, the igniter itself or the control unit.
- Databus error → Communication problem with airbag control unit → Cause: Interruption or fault in the data line between the airbag control unit and other important vehicle systems.
What part numbers are available for the Audi Q5 FY airbag control unit repair?
For Audi Q5 FY airbag control unit repairs, specific OEM part numbers are crucial for finding the right replacement part for your vehicle, as compatibility depends on the model series (FY or 8R) and the manufacturer. Correctly identifying the part number is essential to ensure the new or repaired control unit works properly with your Audi Q5 and maintains its safety features.
For the newer Audi Q5 FY (from 2017) the relevant OEM part numbers are 80A959655N (Audi / Bosch) and A2C96376516 (Bosch).
Another OEM number for the Q5 FY is 80A880201N6PS, confirmed from official Audi parts catalogs.
For the predecessor Audi Q5 Type 8R (2008-2016) the valid OEM part numbers are 8R0959655B (Audi / Continental) and 5WK43854 (Continental).
These numbers are valid exclusively for airbag control units and have been verified multiple times to ensure correct repair or replacement.