Airbag control unit with part number LK3T-14B321-BA

What does the airbag control unit LK3T-14B321-BA do?

The airbag control unit LK3T-14B321-BA is the central control unit of the restraint system (SRS) at Ford. It evaluates the crash sensors, decides on triggering within milliseconds in an accident and controls the airbags and seatbelt pretensioners.

The unit monitors all components permanently and shows faults via the airbag warning light in the instrument cluster.

After an accident the control unit stores crash data and locks itself.

Why does the control unit LK3T-14B321-BA fail?

The most common cause with the LK3T-14B321-BA is that crash data remain stored after an accident, even if no airbag has deployed, and a normal diagnostic tool cannot erase them. Other causes are ageing electronic components, cold solder joints, moisture and corrosion on plug connectors, and voltage spikes.

Stored crash data remain in the unit until the repair.

The other causes concern the condition of the electronics and their connections. These include ageing of components, poor solder joints and corrosion.

Voltage spikes arise, for example, with a weak battery or when a jump start is connected.

How can you tell that the LK3T-14B321-BA is defective?

The airbag warning light in the instrument cluster lights up permanently or intermittently in the event of a defect in the LK3T-14B321-BA. A fault message in the instrument cluster may also appear, or the diagnostic tool finds no connection to the control unit. Airbags and seatbelt pretensioners may then fail to deploy in an emergency.

A warning light that only flashes intermittently is just as serious as one that stays on permanently.

Have the fault memory read out as soon as the indication appears.

Which vehicles is the LK3T-14B321-BA fitted in?

The control unit LK3T-14B321-BA is fitted at Ford in these vehicles: Ford Transit 7 ’14 (from 2014).

The list of vehicles for this part number follows here.

• Ford Transit 7 ’14 (from 2014)

Compare the part number on the label of the removed unit with this page, so you can see whether it is the right unit. Also have the fault memory read out beforehand, because only this result shows whether the control unit is defective or a plug or cable is the cause.

For the same vehicles, we also repair control units with the part numbers BK2T-14B321-BF, BK3T-14B321-AC, DT1T-14B321-DF, KT1T-14B321-KD, LK4Z-14B321-C, LK4Z-14B321-E.

How does the repair of the LK3T-14B321-BA work?

First you read out the fault memory and attach the log. Then you disconnect the battery and only then remove the control unit; afterwards you create a repair order online and pack the unit well. Airbag24 checks, repairs, erases the crash data and tests before the unit is returned.

Only send the unit after the repair order has been created. A function test concludes the work at Airbag24.

Processing takes 3–4 working days as a rule, and only for testing, repairing and checking. 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 LK3T-14B321-BA get to Airbag24?

The control unit LK3T-14B321-BA is either sent in as a parcel or handed over via a UPS collection booked for an extra charge. The return after the repair is made by UPS.

The printed repair order goes into the parcel, and the unit must be packed shock-proof.