Airbag control unit with part number BC24-14B321-BB

What does the airbag control unit BC24-14B321-BB do?

In the restraint system (SRS) of Ford, the airbag control unit BC24-14B321-BB coordinates the triggering of airbags and seatbelt pretensioners. In an accident it decides within milliseconds which of them become active.

It continuously evaluates the signals from the crash sensors and at the same time checks the rest of the system's technology. If it detects faults, it reports them via the airbag warning light in the instrument cluster.

An accident causes the unit to store crash data and lock itself.

Why does the control unit BC24-14B321-BB fail?

The most common cause with the BC24-14B321-BB after an accident is stored crash data, regardless of whether an airbag fired. Ageing electronics, cold solder joints, moisture on the connectors and voltage spikes are also involved.

Crash data remains in the unit after the accident; a common reading tool does not remove it. Airbag24 deletes it during the repair.

Ageing electronics and cold solder joints develop over time or through stress. Moisture and corrosion impair the contact at the plug connectors, and voltage spikes occur, for example, with a weak battery or jump-starting.

Whether one of these causes applies in an individual case only follows from the examination.

How can you tell that the BC24-14B321-BB is defective?

You can recognise a defect in the BC24-14B321-BB by the airbag warning light in the instrument cluster, which lights up permanently or intermittently. Typical signs are also error messages and a fault memory that cannot be cleared.

• Airbag warning light stays on permanently
• Airbag warning light lights up intermittently
• Error message in the instrument cluster
• Diagnostic tool cannot establish a connection to the control unit
• Fault memory cannot be cleared

In an emergency, airbags and seatbelt pretensioners may possibly not deploy if one of these signs is present.

A prompt check is therefore advisable.

Which vehicles is the BC24-14B321-BB fitted in?

The BC24-14B321-BB is installed in the following vehicles: Ford E-Series 4 (2008-2020).

You will find the vehicles in the overview.

• Ford E-Series 4 (2008-2020)

Comparing the part number with the label of the removed unit is a safeguard that you have the correct unit. Having the fault memory of the BC24-14B321-BB read out beforehand is the decisive step, because it shows whether the control unit is defective or whether a line and a plug are causing the fault.

For the same vehicles, we also repair control units with the part numbers 8C2Z-14B321-A, 9C24-14B321-BJ, AC24-14B321-BA, BC24-14B321-AB, BC24-14B321-AC, BC24-14B321-AD.

How does the repair of the BC24-14B321-BB work?

Before anything is removed, have the fault memory of the BC24-14B321-BB read out and enclose the log. Then disconnect the battery, only then remove the control unit, and create a repair order online. Checking, repairing and testing at Airbag24 usually take 3–4 working days.

Send the well-packed unit to Airbag24. There it is checked on the test bench, defective components are replaced, crash data is removed and a functional test is carried out. Your own unit is then 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 BC24-14B321-BB get to Airbag24?

For the BC24-14B321-BB there is parcel shipping or a UPS collection for an extra charge. After the repair, Airbag24 returns the unit by UPS.

The printed repair order goes into the parcel. The control unit is packed so that it is protected against shocks.