Airbag controller: the sensor does not trigger all the protection itself

Useful to know

An airbag control unit receives sensor information and controls activation of the appropriate restraint devices. Bosch describes a scalable unit whose sensor interfaces and firing circuits vary with the vehicle. [1]

It is distinct from an airbag cushion or an individual impact sensor. A warning lamp alone cannot identify which part has failed. Diagnosis must follow the vehicle-specific procedure. Because the system contains deployment components, applying voltage at random or swapping connectors is not an appropriate way to test it.