Airbag control unit with part number HG13-14B321-AA

What does the airbag control unit HG13-14B321-AA do?

The airbag control unit HG13-14B321-AA is the central control unit of the restraint system (SRS) for Ford. It reads the crash sensors, decides in an accident within milliseconds whether airbags and seatbelt pretensioners are triggered, and monitors the system continuously. After a crash, it stores crash data and locks itself.

Monitoring extends to wiring, sensors and actuators. If the unit detects a fault, it writes it into the fault memory and indicates it via the airbag warning light.

In everyday use the unit's work remains invisible. That makes the warning light all the more important as the first sign when something is wrong.

Why does the control unit HG13-14B321-AA fail?

With HG13-14B321-AA, the most common cause is crash data stored after an accident, even if no airbag has deployed; a normal diagnostic tool cannot erase them. Other causes include ageing electronics, cold solder joints, moisture at plug connections and voltage spikes.

Crash data stay in the unit even when the car has long been driving again. Airbag24 erases them during the repair.

The remaining causes involve a combination of ageing and environmental influences on the electronics. Solder joints can give way over time, moisture and corrosion attack the plug connections, and voltage spikes, for example from a weak battery or when starting with jump leads, put additional strain on the electronics.

How can you tell that the HG13-14B321-AA is defective?

On the HG13-14B321-AA, a defect is noticeable at the airbag warning light in the instrument cluster, which lights permanently or intermittently, and through a fault message in the instrument cluster. In addition, there is no connection to the diagnostic tool and the fault memory cannot be cleared.

With such findings, airbags and seatbelt pretensioners may not deploy in an emergency. A prompt check is therefore advisable.

The signs do not always appear at the same time:

• warning light that is permanently or intermittently on
• fault message in the instrument cluster
• diagnostic tool without connection to the control unit
• fault memory that cannot be cleared

Which vehicles is the HG13-14B321-AA fitted in?

The control unit HG13-14B321-AA is fitted in these vehicles: Ford Taurus 6 (2010-2019).

Besides the make, model year, equipment and engine variant play a role. The same make therefore does not mean the same unit.

Here is the assignment in detail:

• Ford Taurus 6 (2010-2019)

First compare the part number on the label of the removed unit with this page. That only tells you it is the right unit, not what the fault is. Whether the control unit is defective or a plug or cable is the cause is revealed only by the read-out fault memory. So have it read out beforehand.

For the same vehicles, we also repair control units with the part numbers AG13-14B321-AD, AG1Z-14B321-A, AG1Z-14B321-B, BG13-14B321-AB, DG13-14B321-AD, DG13-14B321-AF.

How does the repair of the HG13-14B321-AA work?

At the start is reading out the fault memory, then disconnecting the battery, and only then is the control unit HG13-14B321-AA removed. Next, create a repair order online, enclose the protocol and send the unit in well packed. The work at Airbag24, i.e. checking, repairing and testing, usually takes 3–4 working days.

Airbag24 tests the unit on the test bench, replaces defective components and erases the stored crash data. A function test follows, and then your own unit is returned to you.

The order of steps is binding for safety reasons. 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 HG13-14B321-AA get to Airbag24?

The control unit HG13-14B321-AA goes to Airbag24 either as a parcel, or you book a UPS collection for an extra charge. UPS handles the return after the repair.

You print out the repair order and enclose it, and you pack the unit shock-proof.