Airbag control unit with part number 98221AN090

What does the airbag control unit 98221AN090 do?

The airbag control unit 98221AN090 is the central control unit of the restraint system in Subaru vehicles. It evaluates the sensor signals, determines in the event of an impact within milliseconds which airbags and seatbelt pretensioners are triggered, and checks the system during operation.

Conspicuous findings end up in the fault memory, and the airbag warning light draws the driver's attention to them. The unit records faults in sensors, firing circuits and wiring.

After an accident, it stores crash data and locks itself.

Why does the control unit 98221AN090 fail?

Stored crash data is the most common cause of a failure. It remains in the control unit after an accident even if no airbag has deployed, and a standard diagnostic tool cannot delete it.

Because the vehicle can run unremarkably in everyday use, the connection may only come to light during diagnosis.

Other causes relate to ageing and environmental influences. Electronic components age, soldered joints can go cold, moisture and corrosion attack plug connections, and voltage spikes, for example from a weak battery or a jump start, put strain on the unit.

How can you tell that the 98221AN090 is defective?

A defective control unit 98221AN090 can show itself through the airbag warning light in the instrument cluster, which lights up or flickers intermittently. An error message may appear alongside it.

Typical symptoms are:

• airbag warning light, permanently or intermittently
• error message in the instrument cluster
• no connection between the diagnostic tool and the control unit
• fault memory cannot be cleared

In an emergency, airbags and seatbelt pretensioners may then fail to deploy. For this reason, every one of these signs should be checked promptly.

Which vehicles is the 98221AN090 fitted in?

The unit 98221AN090 is fitted in these vehicles: Subaru Forester SK (2018-2021) and SK Facelift (from 2021).

This list shows the vehicles known to us so far for this part number.

• Subaru Forester SK (2018-2021)
• Subaru Forester SK Facelift (from 2021)

Have the fault memory read out before removal. This confirms that the control unit is defective and not a plug or cable. Only then is it worthwhile to compare the part number on the label of the removed unit.

For the same vehicles, we also repair control units with the part numbers 1523004370, 98221FC210, 98221SJ000, 98221SJ001.

How does the repair of the 98221AN090 work?

You read out the fault memory and attach the log before disconnecting the battery. Then you remove the control unit, create a repair order online and pack the unit well. Finally you send it in; Airbag24 checks, repairs, deletes crash data and tests it before your own unit is returned.

Processing at Airbag24 covers checking, repairing and testing, and generally takes 3–4 working days. The unit is then sent 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 98221AN090 get to Airbag24?

You send the unit 98221AN090 to Airbag24 as a parcel or book a UPS collection. After the repair, Airbag24 returns it by UPS.

The printed repair order belongs in the parcel, and the unit must be packed shockproof.