Seatbelt Light Doesn't Light Up on Start

I have an issue with the seatbelt light on a '97 Tacoma. The seatbelt dash light doesn't illuminate when the key is turned one click, two clicks, or when the truck is running and the seatbelt isn't fastened. The truck won't pass safety inspection next month if the light isn't properly functioning. I suspect there's an issue with the seatbelt latch switch, but I'm really just guessing and don't know how to diagnose. Doesn't seem to be any info on this in the Chilton's guide. The first photo shows one click of the key. The second photo shows two clicks. Neither shows the seatbelt light on the dash. No dash lights are illuminated when the truck is running.

 

Check the bulb 1st.

 

I second what @Nevin said.

After that, it's most likely the part that the seat belt plugs into. I've tried to resolve this too - here.

Because of how that system is wired, if there's an issue with the seat belt buckle/receptacle, it won't illuminate the seat belt light on the dash. It wont ever come on because it thinks the seat belt is always connected.

Maybe the internals on the receptacle in your 97 are different from my 99 but I couldn't figure out a way to fix it to make it work properly. I gave up on it and just accepted that the light doesn't work now.

You may still be able to buy a buckle from Toyota. Steer clear though of the hundreds that you see on ebay that aren't genuine Toyota even though they all claim to fit...

EDIT: you also might check that the buckle is plugged in under the driver seat

 

adding - are you sure it will fail inspection if that doesn't light up? I thought i would fail for the airbag light being on but apparently that's not fail worthy.

 

Thanks for the suggestions. I'll try to figure out how to change the bulb first.

 

you know the airbag light works, easiest thing would be to pop in the airbag light, plug the cluster back in and see what happens!

 

I had a car fail inspection because a seatbelt light stayed lit. I'm assuming that if the inspector sees that it never lights up, he will fail it.
I've had a failure due to a burnt-out rear license plate bulb. They passed it once I had them install a new bulb.

 

wow, that's crappy. What would happen if the parts to fix whatever is wrong with a car wasn't available any more? Would they have to scrap it since it can't be fixed to pass inspection?

what state are you in? I almost failed my last inspection in NC because my wiper blades were about half separated. I chuckled when the guy said I was lucky they worked well enough directly in front of the driver.

 

That seems strange. The only time mine lights up is when the passenger airbag lock is unplugged, which incidentally is right now. I don't think I've ever noticed it light up due to my belt not being plugged in. What state do you live in so I can be sure not to move there on accident?

But hey if you need to pass you might be able to jump the CEL over to it on the back of the dash, that way it'll turn on temporarily with the CEL when you first turn the key

 

Even more simple check, put the driver's seat all the way forward and look under it, you should see a connector coming up through the carpet and a connector with a wire coming down from the seat belt (s.) Someone may have taken out the seat and never reconnected it. You can also check voltage/continuity from here if troubles persist.

 

This would also cause a airbag light tho...

 

Hit the receptacle with some wd-40 and/or contact cleaner. Might just have some dirt or corrosion in there causing a stuck circuit. Spray it, then bang the belt latch in and out a bunch of times.

 

What receptacle are you referring to.
After sliding the seat back, looking underneath and finding no unplugged connectors, and tapping the receiver, it's working perfectly for the time being. The seatbelt light and airbag lights function correctly. I'm guessing the issue is with the Receiver but don't know how to resolve it.

 

I am talking about the seatbelt receptacle, where you insert the seatbelt, spray it with some contact cleaner or similar.

 

spray where the seat belt plugs into and then insert the seat belt and release it a bunch of times to get the cleaner to do its thing. repeat the spray/insert/release process a few times and hopefully that clears it up.

dirt, lint and crud gets built up inside the buckle and is preventing the internals from working correctly

 

I sprayed a shot of lithium grease in the buckle, and the seatbelt light works great, but now the airbag light won't come on when the key is turned like it used to do and is supposed to do.
I noticed that the red release button on the driver side buckle stays in the up position when no belt is plugged in, but the passenger side stays in the down position. Is this correct.
Earlier in the day I removed the center console to get at the driver buckle and noticed electrical tape around the buckle's wires, apparently holding it in place. I'm not sure if that was done by a previous owner. Looked professional. My replacement tape job wasn't so good and didn't solve anything.

 

No it doesn’t.

In both my 98 and 04 that connector is disconnected. 98 has Subaru WRX seats in it and the 04 has limited seats in it.

Neither trucks have the airbag light illuminated on the dash.

 

You probably want to spray the passenger buckle too. The button should return to the up position. Sounds like the airbag bulb might have burned out...

The electrical tape is factory.

 

I know on my 98 when I bought it the light never came on. A couple years later I pulled the seat out and found the Plug from the buckle to the body harness was un clipped. Once clipped back together it worked. There is only one plug under the middle of the seat. Just make sure its fully clipped and if the light comes back on. The Previous owner unclipped it so that he didn't have to see the light if he didn't have his seat belt on.