Ford Flex 1 airbag control unit repair

What is a Ford Flex 1 airbag control unit?

The airbag control unit is the central control unit of the restraint system (SRS) in the Ford Flex 1. It evaluates the signals from the crash sensors and, in an accident, decides within milliseconds which airbags and seatbelt pretensioners deploy. After an accident it stores crash data and locks itself.

The control unit is fitted in the Ford Flex 1 (2009 to 2019). It monitors the system continuously and reports every detected fault via the airbag warning light.

As long as the warning light goes out after the ignition is switched on, the self-monitoring is working without any complaint. If it stays on or flashes, the control unit has detected a fault and may have switched off the restraint system. In that case it is not certain that the airbags will deploy in an emergency.

Why is the Ford Flex 1 airbag control unit defective?

The most common cause is crash data stored after an accident, even if no airbag deployed. Other causes are aged electronic components, cold solder joints, moisture and corrosion on connectors, and voltage spikes. Stored crash data cannot be erased with an ordinary diagnostic tool.

Voltage spikes arise, for example, from a weak battery or from jump-starting. Moisture and corrosion mainly attack the connectors through which the control unit is linked to the rest of the system. Aged components and cold solder joints lead to dropouts that at first occur only occasionally.

Typical signs are a permanently lit airbag warning light, a fault memory that cannot be cleared, or a diagnostic tool that cannot connect to the control unit. Whether the control unit is actually the cause is determined by the inspection.

Common error codes for Ford Flex 1 airbag control unit repair

The error codes for the Ford Flex 1 indicate internal control unit faults, communication faults, stored crash data and interruptions in the squib circuits. They can be read out of the fault memory with a diagnostic tool.

First you read out the fault memory with a diagnostic tool, then you classify the codes. Known codes for this vehicle, with their meaning:

• B1342 → Internal fault in the airbag control unit
• U2017 → Memory fault in the restraint system control unit
• B1231 → Crash data stored in event memory, memory locked
• U0151 → Communication with the restraint system control unit lost
• B0001 → Squib circuit, driver front airbag, first stage interrupted
• B0002 → Squib circuit, driver front airbag, second stage interrupted
• B0010 → Squib circuit, passenger front airbag, first stage interrupted
• B0011 → Squib circuit, passenger front airbag, second stage interrupted

A code alone does not reliably show that the control unit is defective. Connectors, wiring or an airbag module can also be the cause. Only the inspection settles it. Please enclose the read-out report with the unit you send in.

What part numbers are available for the Ford Flex 1 airbag control unit repair?

The part number is on the label of the control unit. It determines the exact version, because within the model series there are different numbers for the Ford Flex 1 depending on equipment and year of manufacture.

Here you will find known part numbers for this vehicle. The list does not claim to be complete:

• 9A83-14B321-BA
• 9A83-14B321-BB
• AA83-14B321-AE
• AA83-14B321-AF
• BA83-14B321-AB
• BA83-14B321-AC
• DA83-14B321-AD
• DA83-14B321-AE
• DA83-14B321-AF
• DA8Z-14B321-C

Compare the number on your unit with this list. This only confirms that it is the right unit. Whether it is defective is shown only by reading out the fault memory or by the inspection.

This is how you get to the repair: have the fault memory read out, disconnect the battery and remove the control unit. Then create a repair order online and send in the unit. Processing at Airbag24, with inspection, repair and testing, usually takes 3–4 working days. 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.