Airbag control unit with part number 8201388833

What does the airbag control unit 8201388833 do?

The airbag control unit 8201388833 controls the restraint system (SRS) in vehicles of Renault. It reads the crash sensors, decides in a crash within milliseconds about airbags and seatbelt pretensioners, and monitors the system continuously.

The manufacturer number Continental A2C73912001 is also printed on the housing. It helps to match the unit, but says nothing about its condition.

The unit indicates faults through the airbag warning light in the instrument cluster. After an accident, it stores crash data and locks itself.

Why does the control unit 8201388833 fail?

Stored crash data after an accident is the most common cause, even when no airbag has been triggered; a normal diagnostic tool cannot erase it. Other causes include aged components, cold solder joints, moisture and corrosion at plug connections, and voltage spikes.

Crash data arises from the impact and remains in the memory of the control unit, even if no airbag was triggered. A normal diagnostic tool has no access to it for erasing it.

Aged electronics and cold solder joints gradually impair the function. Moisture and corrosion disturb the contacts at the plugs, which leads to intermittent connections.

Voltage spikes, for example from a weak battery or a jump-start, act on the circuitry and can cause damage.

How can you tell that the 8201388833 is defective?

A defect in the 8201388833 shows up at the airbag warning light in the instrument cluster, which stays on permanently or intermittently. Added to this may be a fault message in the instrument cluster, a missing connection to the diagnostic tool and a fault memory that cannot be cleared. Airbags and seatbelt pretensioners may then fail to deploy in an emergency.

The warning light is the most important sign, because it shows the condition of the system permanently. As long as it is lit, you should look into the cause.

If the fault memory cannot be cleared or no connection to the control unit can be made, the problem may lie in the unit or its power supply, and a specialist examination will clarify it.

Which vehicles is the 8201388833 fitted in?

The control unit 8201388833 is fitted in these vehicles: Renault Kangoo II (2008-2021). You can check whether your car is among them from the type details in the registration document.

The overview of vehicles is shown here:

• Renault Kangoo II (2008-2021)

Before removal, there are two things to check. (a) Comparing the part number on the label with this page only confirms that it is the right unit. (b) Reading out the fault memory beforehand shows whether the control unit is defective or whether a plug or cable is the cause.

For the same vehicles, we also repair control units with the part numbers 2840211503, 8200 656 329, 8200656331, 8201 229 153 A, 8201 475 929, 8201025624.

How does the repair of the 8201388833 work?

First have the fault memory read out at the 8201388833 and attach the log. Then disconnect the battery, remove the control unit, create the repair order online and send the unit in well packed.

Airbag24 checks the unit on the test bench, replaces defective components, erases stored crash data and carries out a function test. Afterwards, the unit is returned to you.

Processing at Airbag24 usually takes 3–4 working days. This period covers only checking, repairing and testing.

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 8201388833 get to Airbag24?

Send the 8201388833 to Airbag24 as a parcel, or book a UPS collection for an extra charge. After the repair, UPS brings the unit back to you.

Put the printed repair order into the parcel and pack the control unit shock-proof.