Airbag control unit with part number 98820 7Y101

What does the airbag control unit 98820 7Y101 do?

The airbag control unit 98820 7Y101 is the central control unit of the SRS system of Nissan. In a crash it evaluates the signals from the crash sensors and determines which airbags and seatbelt pretensioners fire; during operation it monitors the entire system.

If it detects a fault, it reports this via the airbag warning light. After an accident, it records crash data and locks itself.

The system works in the background without any action on the part of the driver, so a fault does not usually become noticeable straight away.

Why does the control unit 98820 7Y101 fail?

The most common cause of a failure of the 98820 7Y101 is stored crash data from an accident, even if no airbag has deployed. A normal diagnostic tool cannot erase it. Other triggers are ageing components, cold solder joints, moisture and corrosion, and voltage spikes.

Crash data are generated by the event itself and remain in the memory of the control unit afterwards.

The other causes tend to act gradually: electronics age, solder joints lose contact, and moisture attacks connectors. Voltage spikes, for example from a weak battery or jump-starting, place additional strain on the circuits.

How can you tell that the 98820 7Y101 is defective?

On the 98820 7Y101, you can recognise a defect by the airbag warning light on the instrument cluster lighting up permanently or intermittently, by an error message on the instrument cluster, by a diagnostic tool without a connection to the control unit, or by a fault memory that cannot be cleared.

The warning light is the system's direct feedback to you. It comes on as soon as the control unit detects a fault.

In the event of a defect, the airbags and seatbelt pretensioners may not trigger in a crash. Do not brush this warning aside.

Which vehicles is the 98820 7Y101 fitted in?

The airbag control unit 98820 7Y101 is fitted in these vehicles: Nissan Maxima A34 (2003-2006) and A34 Facelift (2006-2008).

The assignment to this part number is shown below.

• Nissan Maxima A34 (2003-2006)
• Nissan Maxima A34 Facelift (2006-2008)

Proceed in two steps. First check whether the number on the label of the removed unit matches this page; that way you can be sure you have the correct unit. Also have the fault memory read out in advance, because only this result shows whether the control unit is defective or whether connectors and cables are the cause.

For the same vehicles, we also repair control units with the part numbers 988209N00C.

How does the repair of the 98820 7Y101 work?

Before removal, the fault memory is read out together with the log; only then do you disconnect the battery and remove the 98820 7Y101. Then create a repair order online and send the unit in well packed. The testing, repair and function test at Airbag24 usually take 3–4 working days.

At Airbag24, the unit is first checked. Afterwards, defective components are replaced, stored crash data are erased and a function test is run, before your own unit is returned.

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 98820 7Y101 get to Airbag24?

You post the 98820 7Y101 as a parcel or arrange a UPS collection for an extra charge. Airbag24 returns it to you by UPS after the repair.

Place the printed repair order in the parcel and pack the unit shock-proof.