Ford Expedition 3 Facelift airbag control unit repair

What is a Ford Expedition 3 Facelift airbag control unit?

In the Ford Expedition 3 Facelift, the airbag control unit is the central control unit of the restraint system (SRS): it reads the signals from the crash sensors, determines within milliseconds in an accident which airbags and seatbelt pretensioners deploy, and continuously monitors the entire system. It shows you any irregularities via the airbag warning light.

Because the sensors, the ignition units and the control unit only work reliably together, the unit checks its surroundings as soon as the ignition is switched on and then continuously while driving. It is installed in the Ford Expedition 3 Facelift (2015 to 2017), where it makes all the safety-relevant decisions of the restraint system.

After an accident, the control unit stores the crash data; it is then locked and reports itself with the warning light on.

Why is the Ford Expedition 3 Facelift airbag control unit defective?

Most often the cause is crash data left in the unit by an accident, even when no airbag deployed. Ageing electronic components, cold solder joints, moisture with corrosion at the connectors and voltage spikes are also possible triggers.

A standard diagnostic tool cannot remove stored crash data, so the warning remains even though sensors, airbags and wiring may be perfectly fine.

There are also gradual causes: components on the circuit board change over the years, a cold solder joint interrupts the contact intermittently or completely, and corrosion at the connectors distorts the signals. A weak battery or a jump start can also produce voltage spikes that damage the sensitive electronics.

How you notice it: the airbag warning light stays on permanently, the fault memory cannot be reset, or the diagnostic tool cannot access the control unit.

Common error codes for Ford Expedition 3 Facelift airbag control unit repair

The codes that occur in the Ford Expedition 3 Facelift relate to internal and memory faults of the control unit, interrupted communication, stored accident data and interrupted firing circuits of the front airbags. They are read from the fault memory with a diagnostic tool.

The messages a defective unit can store include the following:

• B1342 → Internal fault in the airbag control unit
• U2017 → Memory fault in the restraint system control unit
• B1231 → Crash event memory full, accident data stored
• U0151 → Communication with the restraint system control unit lost
• B0001 → Driver front airbag first stage, firing circuit interrupted
• B0002 → Driver front airbag second stage, firing circuit interrupted
• B0010 → Passenger front airbag first stage, firing circuit interrupted
• B0011 → Passenger front airbag second stage, firing circuit interrupted

A code that has been read out does not in itself prove that the control unit is defective. Connectors, wiring or an airbag module are equally possible causes. Which part is affected only becomes clear when the unit is tested.

What part numbers are available for the Ford Expedition 3 Facelift airbag control unit repair?

The part number is read from the label on the control unit and defines the exact version. Depending on equipment and year of manufacture, a model series uses several numbers.

The following numbers are known for the Ford Expedition 3 Facelift, although the list need not be complete:

• FL1T-14B321-AC
• FL1T-14B321-BB
• FL1Z-14B321-B

Compare the number on your unit with this list. The comparison only shows that you have the right unit in front of you; whether it has a fault only becomes clear by reading out the fault memory or by testing.

The route to repair looks like this: first have the fault memory read out, then disconnect the battery and remove the control unit. Then create a repair order online and send in the unit. Checking, repairing and testing usually take 3–4 working days at Airbag24.

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.