What is this warning light?

My daughter is 500 miles away and is getting a warning light on the dash of her 2011 Tacoma. I can't find anything on the web that looks like the warning light. What does it mean?

 

That's the alarm/security system. What symptom is your daughter seeing? Truck not starting?

 

Thanks for the info. She said it blinked a few times and stopped and hasn't returned. Otherwise, no issues. I'll try and get more info on the circumstances, but I wasn't aware of a security/alarm system on the vehicle.

 

My guess is the chip in the key/key fob is going bad. I'm not 100% sure if the chip is inside the key or inside the fob on the 2010. I know you can change the battery in the FOB, it's a small coin battery (not sure of the size off hand) but if it's in the key, then you'll more than likely need a new key. I'm purely speculating with that one though.

-J

 

It's just a regular key, so not sure how it happened...hasn't occurred again.

 

Just a guess but I had my work bag on the passenger seat shortly after I got my truck. Disabled the air bag & the light quit warning me.

 

The key should have some sort of chip inside it. That's why the keys have to be programmed if you buy a replacement. Actually, it's probably the truck itself that needs programmed. I've had a couple done at ACE hardware.

That light though, that's perfectly normal.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/whats-the-red-blinking-car-with-key-icon.450784/#post-13215860:
"It's the Engine Immobilizer System, toyotas anti-theft system once u insert the key into the ignition the transponder on the key sends a signal to the system to shut off allowing you to turn on the engine. Without the right key to match the signal the engine wont turn on. It turns on automatically after you remove the key."

 

Always a good idea to check simple things like the condition of the battery terminals to make sure there aren’t any transient low voltage events involved.

A lot of my electrical problems over the years on all kinds of vehicles were related to bad grounds.

 

I believe it blinks for a minute or so when first unlocking and entering vehicle

 

Toyota OEM Engine Immobilizer Anti-Theft system indicator lamp. On my 2014, the light starts blinking when I remove the key and stops when I insert the key and regardless of door position or lock status.

 

Umm.....I could be wrong, but I think that light means that you disabled the airbag on the passenger seat. You can do that with your key. They have that provision in case you have a kid or small adult sitting there. The light is to remind you to turn it back on for normal sized adults. I love it because it's very visible at night, and looks like you have an alarm system armed.

 

No, the airbag light is different.
That is the immobilizer light.

It should stop flashing with the key in the ignition.
And it should start flashing again once the key is taken out of the ignition.

 

TN, I was so convinced, I had to go out and try it. You are right (mostly). The light goes out when you turn the key to RUN. It flashes in the ACC position and the OFF position. The airbag lights are separate. I've been wrong about this for..., let's see... 14 years!

 

Mine comes on for about 3 seconds once the key is in the ignition.
Then goes off. I don't have to turn the key at all.

When you insert the key in the ignition, does the ignition beep?
The warning beeper to tell you the key is in the ignition?

If not, your key may be worn.

My old key was so worn it wouldn't even unlock the door.
Once I got a new key, the warning beeper started working again.
The immobilizer light also went off too. Without having to turn the key.

 

My son's 2005 does have the key-defeat switch for the passenger-side AB on the panel. My 2014 does not: Looks like Toyota tinkered and refined it over the 2nd gen years. I believe a weight sensor was added at some point in the seat cushion that detects and defeats or activates the AB based on some "secret-sauce" formula taking into account someone sitting in the seat, has groceries on the seat, or there is some genius sitting over there sleeping with the seat-back tilted back and with no seat-belt on.

It's explained and outlined in the manual and references reclined seat back angle, passenger weight, child booster seat, and posture and other parameters. Pretty sophisticated.

There are also two lights over there as well: "Passenger air-bag off" and "passenger airbag on". (and a passenger lap and shoulder belt warning light.) I don't ever sit over there so I don't pay any attention to them. (or care what the ECU's are doing working together beeping, flashing warning lights, whatever)

Driver has apparently no choice in the matter so why worry?

 

Black electrical tape is genius.

 

Agree: Just don't use the cheap stuff: there will be sparks everywhere eventually.

Get the rubberized kind. (It's currently holding my passenger outside mirror in place that some &^%$#* clipped in the city. (until I can save up the $250(?) to replace it)

Ya.