Ford Taurus 5 airbag control unit repair

What is a Ford Taurus 5 airbag control unit?

The airbag control unit is the central control unit of the restraint system (SRS) in the Ford Taurus 5. It evaluates the signals from the crash sensors and, in an accident, decides within milliseconds which airbags and seatbelt pretensioners to deploy. After an accident it stores crash data and locks itself.

It monitors the system continuously and reports faults via the airbag warning light in the instrument cluster. The control unit is fitted in the Ford Taurus 5 (2008 to 2009). It works in the background until an accident happens or a fault occurs.

For drivers of a Ford, the airbag control unit is usually only a concern once the warning light comes on. The airbags and seatbelt pretensioners may then no longer be ready for use, and a check is advisable.

Why is the Ford Taurus 5 airbag control unit defective?

The most common cause is crash data stored after an accident, even if no airbag deployed. Other possible 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. The control unit therefore stays locked and the warning light stays on.

Further causes are aged electronic components and cold solder joints. Moisture and corrosion on connectors can also trigger faults. Voltage spikes, for example from a weak battery or a jump start, put additional strain on the electronics.

Typical signs: the airbag warning light stays on permanently, the fault memory cannot be cleared, or the diagnostic tool cannot connect to the control unit.

Common error codes for Ford Taurus 5 airbag control unit repair

You read error codes from the fault memory with a diagnostic tool. They show whether there is a communication problem, an internal fault in the control unit, an interrupted firing circuit or stored crash data.

Once you have read out the fault memory, each entry can be matched to a meaning. These codes are common in the Ford Taurus 5:

• B1342 → Internal fault in the airbag control unit
• U2017 → Memory error in the restraint system control unit
• B1231 → Crash data stored, event memory locked
• U0151 → Communication with the control unit interrupted
• B0001 → Driver front airbag stage 1, firing circuit interrupted
• B0002 → Driver front airbag stage 2, firing circuit interrupted
• B0010 → Front passenger airbag stage 1, firing circuit interrupted
• B0011 → Front passenger airbag stage 2, firing circuit interrupted

Error codes are read out with a diagnostic tool. 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 an inspection can clarify this.

What part numbers are available for the Ford Taurus 5 airbag control unit repair?

The part number is printed on the label of the control unit. It determines the exact version, because within a model series there are different numbers depending on equipment and year of manufacture. Several numbers are known for the Ford Taurus 5.

The following list gives known part numbers for the Ford Taurus 5; it makes no claim to completeness:

• 8G13-14B321-AD

Compare the number on your unit with this list. This only ensures 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 your repair started: have the fault memory read out, disconnect the battery and remove the control unit. Create a repair order online and send in the unit. Processing at Airbag24 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.