airbag light on?

My airbag light recently (and randomly) just came on on my dash. any one experience this or have an idea whats going on? i cant think of any reason my airbags wouldnt be functioning correctly...


thanks

 

Mine came on a month ago in my 05. I can start the truck and it stays off until I put it in gear then it comes on like 5 seconds later. In my 98 the clock spring broke and the light came on. But on that truck when it happened the cruise control stopped working and the horn didn't work. In the 05 both work so I'm not sure what it is.

 

Mines on too pal...don't know wtf it means...

 

probably and open circuit in spiral cable (some call the clock spring)

 

I had the same thing happen to mine an 07 took it in n said it was a bad spiral cable, I didn't have to pay for it but after they replaced it, it never came back on

 

mines on to...must be a common problem....dealer has the part $400cdn+installation...light remains on

 

yea fuck that...I dont even notcie mine anymore really...

 

The one failure that I had to pay for (out of warranty) on my 2005... about $300... the spiral cable failure... makes the air bag light come on... It is a chronic problem with those Tacos over 36,000 miles...

 

Well mine has almost 130k on it and I suspected the clock spring. But the horn and cruise still work. Usually when it goes nothing works. At least that's what happened on my 98.

 

Mines been on for months as well, i think i will just get in there and remove the LED, problem solved! Who needs airbags anyway!

 

I actually did that in a BMW I used to have 10-12 years ago and there was actually a second light up inside the cluster that lit it up if you removed the bulb directly behind the indicator. Took some surgery to get it to go out on that one. I would do the same here but my wife wants it fixed. I commute on a road where there are multiple head on accidents every year because people just don't pay attention. I almost got clipped today in my FJ40 by some moron texting in his prius. If I got hit in that I would be dead.

 

I have the same exact problem. I need to take it for service. But ive been lazy.

To all those that just find it annoying and want to ignore it though, try and get it fixed. This aint the tire pressure crap that is annoyng and meaningless, this is an actual important problem dealing with the safety of you and your loved ones. Just saying for what its worth...

 

Mine came on while I was still under warranty, took it to the dealer, they told me it wasn't covered and wanted $500 to fix it. It's still on.

 

Not in my case... the truck was fine, only the air bag light was on, that's all.

 

I know the light has come on for some people because they removed their seat (with airbag) without disconnecting the battery first. But it sounds like a bad clock spring/spiral cable is the #1 problem.

My two cents... just replace it yourself the procedures are really easy and besides the basic tools you only need a T30 Torx bit. You can find spiral cables at these sites: car-part.com, ebay.com, toyotapartszone.com. You need to make sure you get the right spiral cable (they are different depending on your model of tacoma). you can find most/all? sprial cable part numbers here look for parts starting with the number 84306 and read the dealer description to find your part.

Helpful OEM procedures:

• Note: SST or Special Service Tool is a simple paper clip which acts as a jumper between pins.

lots of airbag diagnoses information just do "control + f" and search airbag.

I hope this helps someone.

-FB

 

Just got back from my friendly Canadian Toyota Dealer who told me the same thing - Spiral cable - nothing that a $502 part and 2 hrs ($165) labour couldn't fix. He was actually embarrassed that they could fit a $500 wire in the steering wheel, and offered to find a second hand one!!!
My questions are:-
1) Is it always broken or could it just have come disconnected (i.e. is it worth paying to have the steering wheel removed to check it?)
2) does anyone make NON-Toyota cables?
3) Could I try disconnecting the battery and see if it clears itself?

The good news my passenger appears to be protected!!!!!!!!

 

Wow FBCONVERT - either you read minds or I just lucked out!!! Will try your suggested resources - many thanks!!!!!

 

Knock on wood...I'm about to reach 55K and not a single problem

This airbag problem seems to be very common in our trucks though, and very random.

 

When I search on Ebay for a Tacoma clockspring, I see many connectors and many sellers pointing to the problem of 2 connectors melting and the clockspring having to be replaced because of this. I wonder if that is what is wrong with so many of our Tacomas... 2 connectors. If it is, there seems to be a fox for like $30 bucks, by simply replacing the connectors...

Not sure, but I kind of want to try this... at most id lose $30 if its not that.

What a pain

 

Its supposed to be included in Powertrain warranty, which is 5 years or 60k miles. Also, if you already reported it, go to the dealer and demand they fix it. If you are already out of warranty, you can try and tell them that you already reported the problem to them before the warranty expired. Hopefully you have some proof.