Airbag control unit with part number 68211617AB

What does the airbag control unit 68211617AB do?

The airbag control unit 68211617AB controls the restraint system in Chrysler vehicles. The signals from the crash sensors are evaluated in it, and in an accident it decides within milliseconds whether airbags and seatbelt pretensioners are triggered. The system is monitored continuously; the control unit shows faults via the airbag warning light.

In everyday use the unit goes unnoticed, because it works in the background.

After an accident, the control unit stores crash data and locks itself.

Why does the control unit 68211617AB fail?

The most common cause is crash data from an accident that is held in the unit, even if no airbags were triggered; it cannot be removed with an ordinary diagnostic tool. Added to this are aged electronic components, cold solder joints, moisture and corrosion on plug connections, and voltage spikes, for example from a weak battery or jump-starting.

Crash data cannot be recognised from the outside, so a look inside the vehicle does not help.

Aged electronics, cold solder joints and corrosion on the plugs develop gradually. Moisture accelerates the corrosion, and voltage spikes arise when the battery is weak or when a jump-start cable is connected.

How can you tell that the 68211617AB is defective?

A defect shows itself on the airbag warning light, on error messages, or because the diagnostic tool cannot connect. Airbags and seatbelt pretensioners may then possibly fail to trigger in an emergency.

The signs at a glance:

• The airbag warning light in the instrument cluster stays on permanently.
• The airbag warning light comes on only intermittently.
• An error message appears in the instrument cluster.
• The diagnostic tool gets no connection to the control unit.
• The fault memory cannot be cleared.

Whether the light stays on permanently or comes on intermittently makes no difference to the duty to have it checked.

Which vehicles is the 68211617AB fitted in?

The 68211617AB is found at Chrysler in these vehicles: Chrysler Pacifica RU Facelift (from 2020) and RU (2016-2020). You can match the assignment to your car using the list below.

The list serves for orientation and can be matched against the part number.

• Chrysler Pacifica RU Facelift (from 2020)
• Chrysler Pacifica RU (2016-2020)

Have the fault memory read out first, because the log shows whether the control unit is defective or whether a plug or cable is behind it. In addition, make the label comparison with this page; it only establishes that it is the correct unit, not the cause.

For the same vehicles, we also repair control units with the part numbers 68405565AB, 68405565AC, 68405567AC, 68405937AA, 68405939AA, 68480707AC.

How does the repair of the 68211617AB work?

First have the fault memory read out and attach the log to the unit. Then disconnect the battery, and only then remove the control unit. Afterwards, create a repair order online and send the unit off well packed.

At Airbag24, the unit goes through the test bench. There, defective components are repaired, crash data is deleted and a function check is carried out. Processing usually takes 3–4 working days.

The sequence of steps during removal is binding for safety reasons; afterwards, your own unit is returned 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 68211617AB get to Airbag24?

You send the control unit as a parcel to Airbag24, or you have it collected by UPS for an extra charge. Airbag24 returns it to you by UPS after the repair.

The printed repair order goes into the parcel; pack the unit so that it withstands knocks.