Seat Occupancy Sensor

Where exactly under the driver's seat is the occupancy sensor. The Google says there's one under 1997 Tacomas and, by god, I'm going to find it. Except I've found no sign of it. I believe it's causing an intermittent dash airbag light issue. The airbag computer was replaced a couple years ago. The airbag light is fickle, sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't and sometimes it fades in and out as if it's having trouble detecting weight.

 

If it's like an '04 it's in the seatbelt buckle.

 

Yeah, "detecting weight" isn't a thing in 1st gen trucks. I'd be surprised if the SRS logic even took the drivers side seatbelt switch into consideration at all. Many people just unhook the switch so the door chime doesn't beep at them.

 

When I replaced my seat I kept it unplugged...no more blinky dash light. But I am curious about whether or not the airbag would still fire...guess we'll never know

 

To pass annual safety inspection in VA, the airbag light must come on initially and turn off as it was originally designed to do.
I believe the shot of lithium grease in the buckle has solved both the airbag and seat belt dash light issues as both worked as they were designed to do on a test run to the gas station. We'll see what happens tomorrow.

 

If you push the seat full forward and look from the back you should see a connector coming out of the carpet right about the middle of the seat. The other side of the connector connects to the switch in the seat belt latch.

 

To answer your question
The pass seat occupancy sensor is under the seat bottom cover. Think of it as similar part as a heated seat element.
I’m with Andy here, MAYBE a Volvo had SOS….not a 1997 taco



crazy
TX doesn’t look at airbag lights as part of a yearly safety inspection
Whateves
TX does make sure you cluster indicates your blue high beam light
Go figure

 

Yeah this shows 95-00
Very basic AB system

 

On my 96
My AB lite sometimes is normal/shines brightly/fades in and out/goes off after 15 min drive
AB computer/PCM is failing
Located on tunnel under ashtray

Can source a used PCM or send off to an electronics rebuilder
Or take out bulb (like I did) when I installed new cluster

 

There’s some info here about the SRS PCM failing, leaking capacitor in it and replaced for repair. I cracked mine open after chasing the seat belt angle thinking I’d damaged the wires removing the seat. I found the circuit board damaged. Picked up a used one off eBay for $60 and working properly now. My srs light would flicker, stay on for a while etc. supposed to blink three times on start up during self check.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/‘-96-srs-module.840538/

 

I had to look up PCM. Does that have any control over the auto transmission shifting.
I replaced the AB computer under the ashtray when I bought the vehicle in 2018. (Replaced the clock spring with a used one at the same time for cruise control).
Can you confirm that there's no occupant sensor under or inside the driver's seat. My truck has no passenger AB.

 

Per that microfiche…..nope
Relatively same ab system 95-00

not even a buckle pretensioner
That came out b4 seat occupancy sensors/side AB’s

just bc I am skeptical about shops…..
I wouldn’t put it past shop saying this occupancy sensor is the cause, charge you $800….pass your vehicle and all they do is remove AB light bulb.