Airbag control unit with part number 8635A501

What does the airbag control unit 8635A501 do?

The airbag control unit 8635A501 manages the restraint system (SRS) at Mitsubishi. It reads out the crash sensors, decides in an accident on the triggering of airbags and seatbelt pretensioners, and monitors the system continuously. Faults appear on the airbag warning light.

Monitoring runs in the background for as long as the vehicle is powered up.

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

Why does the control unit 8635A501 fail?

The most common cause is stored crash data after an accident, even if no airbag has deployed. Other causes are aged electronics, cold solder joints, moisture and corrosion at plug connections, and voltage spikes, for example from jump-starting.

Crash data cannot be erased with a standard diagnostic tool and therefore remains in the control unit. Anyone who wants to narrow down the cause needs the fault memory for that.

Aged components and cold solder joints affect the electronics directly. Moisture and corrosion attack the contacts at the plug connections, and voltage spikes from the vehicle's electrical system add further stress to the circuit.

How can you tell that the 8635A501 is defective?

The airbag warning light in the instrument cluster lights up permanently or intermittently, an error message appears in the instrument cluster, the diagnostic tool cannot find the control unit, and the fault memory cannot be erased.

If the control unit is defective, airbags and seatbelt pretensioners may not be able to deploy in an emergency. This is precisely why it is worth not ignoring the warning light.

Which vehicles is the 8635A501 fitted in?

The airbag control unit 8635A501 is fitted at Mitsubishi in these vehicles: Mitsubishi Space Star A00 1st Facelift (2016-2019), A00 (2012-2016) and A00 2nd Facelift (from 2019). We keep this assignment to the part number in our data.

The vehicles at a glance:

• Mitsubishi Space Star A00 1st Facelift (2016-2019)
• Mitsubishi Space Star A00 (2012-2016)
• Mitsubishi Space Star A00 2nd Facelift (from 2019)

Comparing the part number on the label of the removed device with this page only confirms that you have the right device in front of you. Whether the control unit itself is defective or a plug or cable is the cause only becomes clear from the fault memory that has been read out.

For the same vehicles, we also repair control units with the part numbers 8635A234, 8635A374, 8635A377, 8635A393, 8635A396, 8635A409.

How does the repair of the 8635A501 work?

Have the fault memory read out first and attach the log. Then disconnect the battery, remove the control unit and create a repair order online. Only then send in the device.

Airbag24 checks the device on the test bench, replaces defective components, erases stored crash data and carries out a function test. For testing, repairing and function checks, Airbag24 usually allows 3–4 working days.

Afterwards, the device 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 8635A501 get to Airbag24?

You send the control unit in a parcel or book a UPS collection for an extra charge. After the repair, Airbag24 sends it back to you by UPS.

Enclose the printed repair order and pack the control unit shock-proof.