airbag light on?

The connectors melt when the airbag goes off in an accident. I know because I had to replace the ones in my truck. I purchased the pig tails off ebay for around $10 and soldered them in place of the old ones that were melted. Worked like a charm. It could be that you just have a bad connection and you could do exactly what I did and maybe it will work. You will still need to reset your airbag light.

yeah I thought that was a little unusual. Let me know if I can help, I had to replace a few bags as well as reset my airbag module since I bought my truck after it was in an accident.

 

I don't consider myself proficient at doing a Clock Spring replacement myself. But would like to find a "cheaper" (or should I say 'less expensive" when safety has to be a consideration?); and I'd take it to a shop to be installed. I've tried many of the suggested suppliers but nothing for the 06 Tacoma so far. Plus freight from the US appears to be more than the clock springs for other vehicles!!!
Anyone know a north/west US or Western Canadian supplier of Clock Springs?

 

Airbags are an overrated feature that is just thrown in so Toyota can make 1500-5000 bucks off you every time you have an accident. Find yourself some nice smiley face sticker so you can cover up all the useless warning lights that might come on.

 

Years ago the big boats had no safety stuff so when you hit head on the steering shaft went through your chest. The manufactures fought like hell not to have to add any safety stuff too costly we’ll go broke (there is a time line here so don’t tell me that’s why they did) far too many people were ding in car crashes so they had to add collapsible columns, seat belts and other safety devices and it sure as hell was not just to make money in post warranty sales. So if a air bag saves the life of a wife, girl friend, husband, boy friend or a family member it’s a good investment get it fixed don’t be so cheap is a life worth the cost of a spring?

 

In my wife's car if the airbag light is on it also means the airbag won't work.

Is it the same for Taco's? Something to think about if it is ... Our airbags are a major reason why our trucks get such great crash test reviews.

 

At the very least there is some thing wrong at the worst it won't work when it's needed.

 

mine has been on for about a month 06 with 93k miles. Thanks for starting this thread, good info and has motivated me to get it fixed by me of course.

 

im glad this thread has seen some action, its good to know others are considering getting their problems fixed/looking into them. i might take the initiative to go and talk to the dealer, don't know if i can swing $500 to turn a light off anytime soon though...

if this is the case, i guess ill have to break down and scrounge for cash. otherwise, i might just go in and make sure the airbags are functioning properly and just leave the light on

 

I just read mine using the jumper wire method. Code 51 which from some reading is a bad clock spring. Big surprise.

 

Yeah, I tried that. They looked me in the eye and told me it wasn't part of the Powertrain warranty. They also charged me $100 to tell me that. This is at Mark Jacobson Toyota in Durham, NC - I'll never go there again.

 

If your light is on there is a malfunction with your SRS system and if its a faulty connection, say in the spiral cable for instance, your airbag will not deploy in an accident. It is extremely dangerous to just ignore it. I would be willing to wager that you would have a very hard time selling the truck with out it getting fixed.

If you take your truck to the dealer they will follow the exact procedures I posted links to earlier. If you are good at following directions you could at least save yourself a few hundred and read the airbag code for yourself. Maybe I just have a hard time throwing enormous amounts of money at a stealership but if anything is overrated it is their overpriced, often incorrect, ability to diagnose your problem.

Installing a new clock spring is easier than installing a radio. Especially since the procedures are available. You could have your problem fixed for the same price the dealer would charge you to use their toilet, and it would take about the same amount of time too. Just my opinion

 

Thanks FB Convert, I will certainly have the problem fixed, just trying to determine the best method. I also had the realization that this happened coincidently with me pulling on switches and checking the supposed pre-wiring for my Fog Lights behind the Fog Light switch Blank alongside the wheel, and just maybe I pulled the clock spring connection loose???
Plan at the moment is to see if the local Canadian Tire dealer carries clock springs and can install them. If so I will order one from them, but ask that they check the wiring for the existing one before replacing it. This is same store that I was in waiting for my wife's Corolla to be serviced by the Toyota dealer up the road, when they called me on my cell and suggested her alternator belt needed replacing (signs of cracking) for $134 for parts plus labour to install. I just happened to ask the Canadian Tire parts dept what they charged for the Belt - $30!!! - I told the Toyota dealer thank you but no thank you. Love the vehicles but hate their after sale prices for parts and service.
I'll let everyone know what my final repair costs....
Cheers,

 

I was messing around with my steering wheel controls so I took some extra pictures. This might look like a write up but I would follow the FSM procedure I posted earlier. Take your time and minimize mistakes.

1) Disconnect the battery and wait 90 seconds before continuing.


2) Center and lock the steering wheel. Take note of its position you will need to line it up after you remove it.



3) Remove side cover. There is one on the other side where the cruise control switch it as well.



4) Use a T-30 Torix drive to remove the two screws, one on each side.


5) Once both screws are loose (they will remain in the plastic clip) use your finger to slightly lift on the tab, simultaneously pull back on the airbag pad on the same side. It should lift out with little force needed.



6) Carefully support the airbag and begin disconnection the harnesses. Pull the yellow tabs up on the airbag wires before unplugging them.



7) Remove the single 19mm size nut in the center of the steering wheel.



8) Remove the steering wheel and remove the two screws that hold the column cover together.



9) Its worth noting this little guy. It is connected to the airbag, you have to pull back on the sliding tab then pull the plug out.



10) There are three tabs that hold the spiral cable together, two on the side and one on the top.


11) Once the three tabs are free the spiral cable should pull out.

 

^ That should be a sticky. Mine has been on for a couple months too.

 

it happend to my 07 taco just when i got to 76k, not coevered by warranty(75k)... my dealer charged me 433(labor+material) for it... since my wife is driving my truck i considered that is better to pay to get the air bags working again...

 

I know how you feel Cabra - safety is always essential, almost to the point where one wonders if the dealers don't prey on that fact??? Also strange how my quote was $670 - I know the Canadian exchange is high, but not 55% more!!!
I'm still looking for a non-toyota price, as my local non-toyota repair shops don't appear to have access to the clock springs; but I haven't stopped looking.
As I mentioned on anther forum page I just resoldered my temp/compass wiring in the overhead console and saved an expensive repair bill - feeling quite the expert at the moment!!!

 

I have a 09 DC with the same issue. Dealer has run a check on it twice & said everything is working. I'll try a 3rd time.

 

Have spent many hours searching the internet for non-Toyota clocksprings (aka Spiral cables) - found one in the states for about $250 (half the Toyota price), but not sure about shipping to Canada.
hessitant to take the steering appart if I don't know that I can get a replacement unit at an affordable price - but might try just incase it is a loose connection or the like.
Has anyone else found a clock spring dealer with a reasonably priced unit?

 

You can order them here. I think it is something like $14 flat shipping last time I checked. As you can see there are several types of spiral cables depending on your truck model. You can put your vehicle Vin into their search and it should eliminate all of the ones that won't work with your truck. These are OEM Spiral cables...

Edit: I just checked and unfortunately they do not ship to Canada. The prices crossed out are the typical prices you would pay at a dealership so you could probably pick one up for around $300. I would also suggest ebay. There is a seller on there from Canada that I have got a couple of airbags from and I am sure he would have a used spiral cable that you could pick up for cheap.

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Still trying to find a clocksprnig supplier in Canada for my 2006 doublecab, 6 cyl, 4x4, without the steering wheel cruise/radio controls (does have cruise on the collumn).
Can anyone help me find a dealer in BC or anywhere in Canada, or even a US dealer that ships to Canada???