The invention relates to a motor control device (10) for a motor vehicle control unit. The control device (10) is prepared for carrying out a plurality of functions and configures the range of these functions itself, by activating selected prepared functions. The invention also relates to a method for manipulation-proof configuration of the control device. To activate a prepared function, the motor control device (10) emits a signal in order to determine the presence of component control devices (11, 12, 13) connected to it. It then requests activation information from the component control device (11, 12, 13) determined as being present, in order to release a function prepared in the control device (10). On receiving activation information, it activates the associated prepared function.