Air Bag Sensor light FAIL.

So my Air Bag sensor light came on a few weeks ago. I made an appt to have a diagnostic run and tell me why it came on. My truck has 59,800 miles so i was still under the 60,000 powertrain warranty (Cutting it close i know). Well i take my truck in this morning, tell them that my rear center seat belt hasn't been working for a while also. So I leave and get a call about 2 hrs later.

Somehow, my computer plug/adapter that's under the steering wheel has been fu**ed up. They tried several times to read the ECU with no luck. I have never messed with it so idunno how this happened. Now they are telling me that in order to replace that, I'de have to purchase the entire harness which is all in the dashboard. It's only like $1,100, AND that's only the connector/harness. To make the story sweeter, that's only to fix that plug so they can connect to the ECU. THEN they can run the diagnostic and tell me why the air bag sensor light came on. Then and only then can they tell me why the light came on. After that, I can drop more $$$ for whatever the problem is with the air bag system.

I guess the one good thing is that the Toyota mechanic said he can fix the prongs or w/e on the adapter/plug for around $300 with full warranty and all. So that way i avoid the $1k plus for it. Plus my friend knows the mechanic so i guess he was going to try and get it fixed for less than $300. Still no answer to my air bag sensor light though...

One good thing came out of this entire ordeal - My rear seat belt was under warranty!! Free new seat belt. HAHAHA.. NOT a good way to start off the weekend or the Holidays.

 

My airbag light came on AFTER 60,000 miles on my 2005 Taco. It cost about $300 to replace the wire harness which was to blame (Toyota Carlsbad). There was nothing wrong with the airbag, just the ligt came on. This was the ONLY non-warantee failure on my 2005, which had 102,000 miles on it after 4 1/2 years... lots of Baja four wheeling included... So, $300 is not really that bad.. but it shouldn't have happened.

The rear suspention needing help is another story, for another thread! I changed the '05 for a 2010 Tacoma this week... So, starting over!

 

I'm not sure if you're refering to the same wire harness. The wire harness i'm talking about is the one under the steering wheel, the one that you hook up the code reader to. If that's what was wrong with yours, then i hope that's all that's wrong with mine... We'll see.

Well i already got the rear suspension TSB so it's better then when i first bought it.

 

I bet it's your clockspring (spiral cable) that's broken. It's the cable that runs under the steering wheel. It connects your airbag to the ECU and if it's broken the airbag will not function. Seen it happen a few times here.

 

That is very likely. I replaced the spiral cable on my '98 - wasn't hard at all if you don't mind removing the air bag. Follow the Toyota directions closely however as it involves a simple procedure to drain all power from the truck after disconnecting the battery.

A steering wheel puller was necessary, but they are available at most Auto Parts stores through a "loan a Tool" program. Only took just over an hour on my '98.


Also you can jump two connectors on that plug you mentioned (underneath dashboard) with a normal piece of wire, turn your key to the ON position, and then count the number of blinks of the air bag light to get the trouble code. Once you get the code number (for example #16) reference the Toyota FSM chart to see what section of the system contains the malfunction.

If you would like to try this route, PM me and I'll tell you where you can access the information and chart.

EDIT:

When the spiral cable malfunctions usually you will lose your cruise control and horn functions as well. The air bag, cruise control switch, and horn all operate through the spiral cable. It isn't actually a cable, but a small ribbon of wires that tears pretty easily.

 

Any junkyards around that will let you cut that connector out?
Leave 3 or 4 inches of wire, cut off yours, and splice the donor in matching the wire colors. Pretty sure it doesn't have to be a Taco, all OBD11 connectors are the same for all cars, and I am pretty sure the wire colors are the same for all toyotas. Even if the colors are different you can match the wires up pin for pin on the connectors.

 

BUMP for a very cheap solution!

Personally I think one of the wires wasn't secured properly and fell out from the back of the connector when they plugged in the scan tool. They knew you weren't going to go for the $1,100 option, so they graciously offered you a $300 "fix".

They would grab a quick $300 from the process, and you would go away happy thinking you had a "deal".

Just my $0.02

 

Another thought.... Some techs are sharper than others... has anyone checked ALL the fuses? Most auto computer systems have multiple power sources and usually run through several fuses. I had a GMC in the shop one time that had been checked at several shops because it wouldn't scan, turned out to be the cig lighter fuse not making contact.

 

Thanks to everybody that has contributed any insight on my situation here. I have not checked the fuses (My dad also suggested i do that) but i figured the dealership would do that. I haven't even looked at the plug to see what they were talking about.

I'll try your suggestions and see where that takes me. I'll keep everybody posted once i get the solution. Even if it's sometime in January.

 

if you're talking about the obd plug, most cases those are covered by emissions warranty which in cali can be up to 8yrs/80k. have the dealer check cause some parts are 8/80 but the dealer doesnt look it up cause it varies by model. the gov. requires that plug to be there so the manufacturer has to pay for it.

 

the air bag light is on in my 06 as well and i have no idea why. 80k miles, no accidents, the light is just on.

not wanting to take it in to the dealer to get assraped but im afriad maybe i have no choice?

 

Read 6 posts above you. There is a DIY way of retrieving the code.

 

go to a junkyard and cut one off. then depin each wire and swap. aslong as the pins arent too bent or broken you should be fine.

 

Mine went off around 55k and I had mine repaired @ 68k for free. Luckily I have been going to the dealer for years and know the service writer.

 

First post on the forum, so hello. 2006 Tacoma reg cab, 2WD 5 speed, 62K. Last week my airbag light came on. I was out of town, so I took it to a dealer. They charged me $42.00 diagnostic fee to tell me it is the spiral cable. After a 15 second explanation, and a repair estimate of $380, they asked me if I would like to order the part, which is the majority of the cost. "No thanks" (quick exit). My home dealer gave me the same estimate by phone. Next I'll talk to an independent mechanic.

Does anyone know of an on-line source for salvaged auto electronics? Or should I walk the salvage yards, or buy the new part?

Thanks for any comments.
Chris

 

This guy repaired his, think it was a 1st gen. Our 2nd gens have two, not one connector (that's why our horn still works) but should be similar.

Link : http://www.yotatech.com/f2/broken-wires-steering-column-89294/

Here is a 1st gen write up : http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=697181

 

Thank you Asgard. I followed both links, and appreciate all the information. Since this truck is my daily driver, I'll need a mechanic to fix it for me, but at least I am well informed.

 

I just got home from the dealer here in temecula ca. my light came on last wen. turned out to be as said above spiral cable 521.00 dollars later 71000 on truck

 

It's chronic defect we are all having or had, and should insist on it be covered by the factory.. right? Sounds like Temecula is a bit high... like $200 more than Carlsbad?

 

I smelled something burnt then a couple of days went by and my air bag light came on .Took it to El Cajon Toy, they said it was a burnt condutor $ 500.00 to replace it. Then I took it for service and they said I need to replace the oil pan because the oil bolt stretched out the pan.And THEY HAVE BEEN DOING SERVICE SENSE 2006. $700.00 for that them bastard