What is a Ford Transit Mk4 airbag control unit?
The Ford Transit Mk4 airbag control unit is the central safety unit in the vehicle, essential for occupant protection. It controls and monitors the entire Supplemental Restraint System (SRS), activates airbags and seatbelt pretensioners in the event of an impact, and stores relevant crash data. A professional repair of this module is crucial for vehicle safety.
This component continuously receives signals from various impact sensors and the steering angle sensor. Based on this data, the control unit decides whether and when to deploy the airbag.
It is responsible not only for activation, but also for the continuous self-monitoring of the entire system. Any malfunctions or errors are immediately detected and signaled by the illumination of the airbag warning light.
Why is the Ford Transit Mk4 airbag control unit faulty?
A faulty Ford Transit Mk4 airbag control unit often results from an accident with stored crash data or internal electronic faults. Age, overvoltage, or moisture can also cause failure. This causes the airbag warning light to illuminate and compromises safety, making repair necessary.
After an airbag deployment, the control unit stores indelible crash data, preventing the module from being reused without a special reset. This is a common reason why a Ford Transit Mk4 airbag control unit repair is necessary.
Internal hardware defects, such as faulty capacitors or short circuits in the circuit board, can also impair functionality. Such failures require precise diagnostics to identify the exact cause of the problem.
Sometimes, incorrect vehicle identification codes or communication errors can also lead to a malfunction. A repair fixes these problems to restore the security system's full functionality.
Common error codes for Ford Transit Mk4 airbag control unit repair
When repairing a Ford Transit Mk4 airbag control unit, specific error codes are crucial for a precise diagnosis. These B-codes directly indicate problems within the control unit itself or its primary circuitry, without affecting sensors or seatbelt pretensioners, allowing for targeted troubleshooting.
- B1000: Control unit communication error → Internal failure or faulty connection.
- B12/B012: Missing battery voltage in the airbag control unit → interruption of the power supply.
- B13/B013: Airbag circuit short circuit to ground → Electrical fault in the system circuit.
- B15: Driver airbag circuit short circuit (Ground/Battery/Ignition) → Error in the ignition circuit of the driver airbag.
- B16: Passenger airbag circuit short circuit (Ground/Battery/Ignition) → Error in the ignition circuit of the passenger airbag.
- B19: RCM (Restraint Control Module) memory full → crash data saved, reset required.
- B24: Internal error / system shutdown → Software or hardware problem in the control unit.
- B29: Incorrect vehicle identification code → incompatibility or programming error.
- B32: Driver airbag open/high resistance circuit → Open circuit or high resistance in the driver airbag line.
- B33: Passenger airbag open/high resistance circuit → Open circuit or high resistance in the passenger airbag line.
- B34: Short circuit/low resistance driver airbag circuit → Short circuit or low resistance in the driver airbag line.
- B35: Short circuit/low resistance circuit of the passenger airbag → Short circuit or low resistance in the passenger airbag line.
- B36: Driver airbag circuit short circuit (Ground/Battery/Ignition) → Further short circuit in the driver airbag circuit.
- B37: Passenger airbag circuit short circuit (Ground/Battery/Ignition) → Further short circuit in the passenger airbag circuit.
What part numbers are available for the Ford Transit Mk4 airbag control unit repair?
For Ford Transit Mk4 airbag control unit repairs, exact OEM part numbers are crucial to ensure proper function. After extensive research, two Ford OEM numbers have been verified for this model year, ensuring seamless compatibility during replacement or repair.
- YC1A-14B321-AF: Genuine Ford OEM part number, validated for Ford Transit Mk4.
- 1C1A14B321BC: Genuine Ford OEM part number, also confirmed for Ford Transit Mk4.
It's important to use only these verified OEM numbers. Other numbers that often appear in lists may refer to different Transit generations (e.g., Transit Custom) or to sensors rather than the control unit itself.
Supplier numbers from Bosch, Continental, or Autoliv could not be conclusively identified for the Ford Transit Mk4 airbag control unit. Therefore, you should primarily focus on the original Ford part numbers to avoid purchasing the wrong part.