The dreaded new MOT rules are going to affect me later this year so planning ahead. Its MOT'd till Sept 2012.

I've a 1999 V reg Mk1 Focus 1.8 Zetec, the airbag light is always on. All wiring under seat has been checked and was hooked up to a diagnostics machine and came back with airbag ecu fault. The mechanic said a new ecu would be £300 + and for a car worth £700 it wasn't viable.

Now its all change...... I've seen secondhand ecu's for sale for mk1 Focus's from scrapped vehicles and would like to know if its a straight replacement or do they need to be coded/programmed???

The car is a great runner and I can't afford to get a replacement at the moment.

Any help/advice greatfully appreciated.

 

As far as I'm aware they're the same, just make sure if you've got seat side airbags etc then you get one with this feature.

 

New modules are blank and need to be programmed.

Guess in theory you could fit the same part number module with the same airbag options.

Never tried it though.

Do you know if the fault was B1342? (flash code 1 2 )

http://www.fordwiki.co.uk/index.php?...flash_code:_12

 

I didn't get to know the reason code... having looked on ebay the replacement modules start at £10 - does anyone know where the airbag ecu is located in the car? My thoughts are under one of the front seats so will check in the morning. There seems to be a lot of different part numbers for mk1 so best extract the original to get the like for like replacement. It's worth a shot..... will post how I get on.

 

It's under the centre console, unscew gear knob, pull the hand brake up, take out the two cup holder rubber bases in front of gear lever and rear ashtray, remove 3 x screws, pull up the centre console over hand brake and remove.

Officially, should advise you disconnect the battery for 15 mins to discharge capacitors in the airbag module before disconnecting/reconnecting the module, whatever you do make sure ignition is NOT on!! Heard about someone setting a BMW E46 cabriolet airbags/sidecurtains everything off once when changing a module!

Make sure you bolt it down and add any earth connections (if fitted) before you turn ignition on.

Yes, match up part number from the label on the module. On this pic



Can see part number starts YS4T,