Airbag control unit with part number HL3T-14B321-CA

What does the airbag control unit HL3T-14B321-CA do?

The airbag control unit HL3T-14B321-CA is the central control unit of the restraint system (SRS) of Ford. It evaluates the crash sensors, decides in an accident within milliseconds which airbags and seatbelt pretensioners are triggered, and monitors the system continuously. Faults are shown via the airbag warning light.

While driving, the control unit checks the power supply, the firing circuits and the connections without pause. It records irregularities in the fault memory.

After an accident it stores crash data and locks itself.

Why does the control unit HL3T-14B321-CA fail?

Stored crash data is the most common cause: it stems from an accident in which possibly no airbag was triggered, and a normal diagnostic tool cannot erase it. The other causes range from ageing components through moisture to voltage spikes.

Crash data remains in the memory after the event. It cannot be removed with a normal diagnostic tool. Airbag24 erases it during the repair.

Ageing electronic components, cold solder joints, and moisture and corrosion at plug connectors are among the typical causes.

Voltage spikes, for example from a weak battery or jump-starting, can also strain the control unit.

How can you tell that the HL3T-14B321-CA is defective?

A defect is indicated by the airbag warning light in the instrument cluster staying on permanently or intermittently, a fault message in the instrument cluster, and a diagnostic tool without a connection to the control unit. A fault memory that cannot be cleared also belongs to this picture. In such a case, the airbags and seatbelt pretensioners may fail to trigger in an emergency.

• Airbag warning light stays on permanently or intermittently
• Fault message in the instrument cluster
• Diagnostic tool does not find the control unit
• Fault memory cannot be cleared

The warning light reports the defect as soon as the system recognises it. A single sign is enough to have the system examined.

Which vehicles is the HL3T-14B321-CA fitted in?

The HL3T-14B321-CA is fitted in these vehicles: Ford F-150 13th generation (2014-2020).

The following list shows the vehicles in which this part number is used.

• Ford F-150 13th generation (2014-2020)

Compare the part number on the label of the removed unit with this page. That tells you it is the right unit, and nothing more. Have the fault memory read out beforehand; only then does the result show whether the control unit itself is defective or whether a plug or cable is the cause.

For the same vehicles, we also repair control units with the part numbers HL3T-14B321-AC.

How does the repair of the HL3T-14B321-CA work?

Start by having the fault memory read out and enclose the printout. Then disconnect the battery, remove the control unit HL3T-14B321-CA, create a repair order online and send in the unit carefully packed. Processing at Airbag24 usually takes 3–4 working days.

The order protects during any work on the system. The removal only takes place once the battery is disconnected.

Airbag24 checks the unit on the test bench, renews defective components, erases the stored crash data and carries out a function test. Afterwards the unit goes 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 HL3T-14B321-CA get to Airbag24?

You send the control unit HL3T-14B321-CA to Airbag24 as a parcel or book a UPS collection for an extra charge. After the repair, Airbag24 sends it back to you by UPS.

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