What is a Dodge Aries K airbag control module?
The Dodge Aries K airbag control unit is the central safety unit in your vehicle, activating all occupant restraint systems in the event of an accident. It continuously monitors sensors, stores relevant crash data, and ensures the proper and rapid operation of all airbag modules for occupant safety.
This specialized control unit collects information from acceleration sensors in the vehicle. Based on this data, it decides whether and when the airbags should be deployed.
It is a crucial component of the passive safety system and essential for the safety of vehicle occupants.
Why is the Dodge Aries K airbag control unit defective?
A Dodge Aries K airbag control module can fail due to age-related failure of internal components, the need to recalibrate or replace it after an accident, or electrical problems such as short circuits or power surges that damage the electronics. This often results in an illuminated airbag warning light.
Age-related wear and tear is a common cause of failure in older vehicles like the Dodge Aries K. Capacitors and other electronic components can lose their function.
Even after a crash, a Dodge Aries K airbag control unit repair or replacement is often necessary because it stores accident-relevant data and may be locked.
Moisture or corrosion in the vehicle interior can also cause damage to the control unit and its connections, which impairs functionality.
Common error codes for Dodge Aries K airbag control unit repair
During Dodge Aries K airbag control unit repair, certain error codes indicate problems with the control unit itself or its communication, requiring detailed diagnosis. These codes are stored in the airbag control unit and can be read using special diagnostic tools.
- B1000: Control unit communication error → Indicates a general error in the communication between the airbag control unit and other systems or internal bus errors.
- B0091: Airbag control unit error → Indicates internal defects or serious problems within the airbag control unit itself.
- B0010: Driver side airbag control circuit error → Indicates an error in the driver airbag ignition circuit, which is monitored by the airbag control unit.
- B0040: Passenger Airbag Module Error → Indicates a problem with the passenger airbag module, the deployment of which is directly controlled by the airbag control unit.
- C12D1: Receiving Malfunction (Control Module) → May indicate that the airbag control module is receiving or processing incorrect signals, resulting in a system malfunction.
- U0171: Airbag control unit communication lost → Means that other control units in the vehicle have lost connection to the airbag control unit.
What part numbers are available for the Dodge Aries K airbag control unit repair?
No exact, 100% verifiable OEM part numbers are publicly available for the Dodge Aries K airbag control unit, making Dodge Aries K airbag control unit repair difficult. Searching primarily yields numbers for sensors or control units from other models, but not for the specific airbag control unit of this older model.
Often, such specific part numbers for vehicles from the 1980s are difficult to find because the spare parts catalogs are no longer publicly available.
A well-known example of an airbag sensor (not the control unit) for the Dodge Aries is Mopar part number 4443985.
For precise identification during Dodge Aries K airbag control unit repair, access to official Mopar dealer catalogs or professional databases such as TecDoc/TecAlliance would be necessary.
In many cases, the part number is engraved directly on the removed airbag control unit or noted on a sticker.