Airbag control unit with part number 4F23-14B321-AE

What does the airbag control unit 4F23-14B321-AE do?

The airbag control unit 4F23-14B321-AE runs the SRS restraint system in the Ford vehicle. In an accident it processes the signals from the crash sensors and decides within milliseconds which airbags and seatbelt pretensioners are triggered. Faults that occur are shown via the airbag warning light.

Between accidents the unit checks the system without interruption, so deviations are registered.

In an accident the control unit writes crash data to its memory and then locks itself.

Why does the control unit 4F23-14B321-AE fail?

The most common cause is crash data from an accident that has remained in memory, even if no airbag has been triggered; it cannot be removed with a diagnostic tool. Also ageing components, cold solder joints, moisture and corrosion on plug connectors, and voltage spikes from weak batteries or jump-starting.

An ordinary diagnostic tool cannot delete the crash data. Airbag24 deletes it during the repair.

The other causes are ageing and wear in the electronics, moisture at connections and voltage spikes; which of them applies is shown only by the investigation.

How can you tell that the 4F23-14B321-AE is defective?

The airbag warning light in the instrument cluster lights up permanently or only intermittently. In addition there may be error messages, no connection between the diagnostic tool and the control unit, or a fault memory that cannot be cleared. In an emergency, airbags and seatbelt pretensioners may then not deploy.

The light is the direct indication from the system of the defect.

React to the warning by having the fault memory read out.

Which vehicles is the 4F23-14B321-AE fitted in?

The control unit 4F23-14B321-AE is fitted in these vehicles: Ford Fiesta 6 ’02 (2001-2008).

You will find the vehicles in this list:

• Ford Fiesta 6 ’02 (2001-2008)

Compare the part number on the label of the housing with this page to know whether it is the right unit. Have the fault memory read out before you remove the unit. Only this result shows whether the control unit is defective or whether a plug or cable is causing the fault.

For the same vehicles, we also repair control units with the part numbers 8V51-14B321-EE.

How does the repair of the 4F23-14B321-AE work?

First have the fault memory read out and enclose the log, then disconnect the battery and only then remove the control unit. Next create the repair order online and send the well-packed unit in. Airbag24 checks the unit on the test bench, replaces defective components, deletes the crash data and carries out a function test; processing usually takes 3–4 working days.

The log belongs in the submission, and the repair order is created before dispatch.

After that your unit comes back to you. Our repairs come with 2 years' statutory liability for defects.

The repaired control unit comes back with all vehicle data and is ready for use as soon as it is refitted — no coding or programming is required.

How does the control unit 4F23-14B321-AE get to Airbag24?

You send the control unit 4F23-14B321-AE as a parcel or book a UPS collection for an extra charge. Airbag24 returns it to you by UPS after the repair.

The printed repair order goes into the parcel; the unit is packed shock-proof.