Circuit and method for controlling at least one electrical component of a motor vehicle

Circuit arrangement (10) for control of at least an electrical component (SW) of a motor vehicle by means of a microcontroller (MC). The circuit arrangement has a supply voltage connection (Vbat') and is configured so that it generates an output control signal to the electrical component as long as the supply voltage is above a threshold value. If the supply voltage falls below the threshold, the microcontroller ceases operating. The circuit arrangement has a circuit block (16) that provides a temporary control signal for a predetermined time interval after the microcontroller switches off. An independent claim is made for a method for controlling at least a motor vehicle electrical component via a control circuit.