2nd Gen Clockspring Replacement How To

now I dont have any horn

again

 

so im stuck guys, I put in the new radio spring, hooked everything up and now when i put the cable on my battery the horn wont shut up. So i unplugged the wire harnesses that plug into the top on the radio spring and the horn stops. I grab my continuity tester and put it on the prong that meets up with the black wire that goes to the horn pressure switch/airbag and the other end on a ground and the horn goes off again. Im in a pickle can anyone help?

 

My clockspring just failed on my 2006 Pre-Runner. Started out as a Air Bag warning, then after a few days I noticed my Radio Controls stopped working and Horn stopped working. Stealership wanted about $800.00 to fix it.
I called Olathe Discount Toyota Parts in Florida and the new clockspring is on its way. Cost was $230.00 Replacement is very easy, just make sure you disconnect the battery before you start. Stealership wanted about $500.00 for the part.

In my opinion Toyota should warranty this part as it has proven to be defective and there is a very large recall on this part on many Tacos and other Toyotas.

 

My 05 was recalled for this and dealer replaced at no cost to me.

 

way to go guys, ya i finally got mine up and going. so were golden now

 

Call Toyota, it is a recall item. They will pay you back.

 

Thank for the Great Write Up. My clockspring just bit the dust. Stealership would not warranty it so I purchased a genuine new one from the good folks at Olathe Toyota Discount Parts.
Took me about 15 minutes to change it. Nice to have something to reference to. Thanks again.

My symptoms first were my airbag light cam on. Then a few days later no horn, no radio control from steering wheel and then no cruise control. Obviously, the clockspring ribbon cable came apart.

I could have purchased a aftermarket clockspring for mush less, but I am done purchasing aftermarket parts for my Taco.

 

I was not having air bag light or horn issues, rather it was the cruise control that didn't want to work anymore. So I ordered the clockspring through ebay. Followed the process and all went well. Turned the key and my airbag light is on. I noted I had a little trouble getting the air bag connector on the clock spring so I took it apart again. Sure enough, the connector wasn't fully seated. I took it off and then back on and fully seated it. Air bag light is still on. :-( So, either I have a bad clock spring or does the ECU have to have the Air Bag code cleared?

Thanks in advance!
Marty

 

OK. Swapped the old clock spring back in, air bag light out. I noted the yellow air bag connector slips in easily and unlocks easily on the factory part. Chinese part junk. Lesson learned. Knowing this, I recommend that all just buy the genuine Toyota part. You might need those air bags to work some day! I'm now an expert at replacing the Tacoma clock spring!

 

I also contacted my dealership. I don't remember getting a notice and my truck has 164k miles on it so I am out of luck. Here is what they said:

"Good Morning Mr. Escarcega,


All recalls have been performed on your vehicle, however there was a CSP (Extension of Warranty) for the Cruise Control Switch. The Expiration was 13 years or 150,000 miles from the Date of First Use and I believe your vehicle is passed the mileage coverage. It look like if the Cruise Control Switch or the Spiral Cable are failing it would be an out of pocket charge. Any other questions please let me know and I will be happy to assist you."



CSP Coverage

 

Regarding using only genuine Toyota parts,...I don't buy from my local Toyota Stealership. I purchase genuine Toyota Parts online from discount Toyota Parts Distributors. Much cheaper.

Regarding the clockspring installation,...you have to be slow and meticulous so you don't make a mistake. Making sure you reseat the connectors properly. If the ribbon cable starts breaking inside the clock spring it will cascade into other failures.

But really it is a very easy job and should not take over thirty minutes.

 

It was an easy job. It took longer because I was going slow and being careful especially not to break the plastic around the column. The Chinese copy did not have a nice sliding fit for the air bag connector like the original did. I then deduced its not worth the risk to by the ebay Chinese part for something so critical. I don't by from the local dealership either. I either buy from Olathe or ELMORETRDTOYOTAPARTS.COM. I bought the clock spring from Elmore for $222.13 shipped.

 

Just a follow up. I got the new clockspring from Elmore TRD Toyota. Best $222.13 I spent, it fit perfectly, the air bag connector popped in like it should, 20 minutes later, job done, no air bag light on and my cruise control works again. I took apart my old clock spring and I had copper showing in two places. One spot looked like it crossed two traces in the ribbon cable and might have shorted.

My advice, don't by the Chinese crap on ebay, something like this that you rely on, buy it from Toyota.

Marty

 

How you guy know it the clock spring for sure? On the scanner it will say?

 

Air bag light on? Cruise control not working or working intermittently? Horn issues? All can be related to clock spring problem. Its a common issue with the Tacoma.
Replaced mine, its nice to have cruise control again!
Marty

 

I don't have cruise control

 

How the door man clock spring

 

Thanks for this OP. Did this on my wife's 06 (whose airbag light was on and cruise control wasn't working). Even with my hamfists, was able to do it in about 20 minutes. Steering wheel pulled right off with a couple of yanks.

 

My problem was the diagnosis. How do you know it's the clock spring? No codes came up and I had tried 2 different stores who connected it to their computer reader. I replaced a burned out brake light bulb and still didn't work. Brake fluid level was good. Took to local shop; not dealer, and that was when I was advised it was the clock spring. He checked Toyota and they said it was replaced on my Taco in 2012 under the recall and they only warranty their recall work for one year, so I am SOL. I don't feel too bad because the shop is charging me $495 parts, labor and tax. Genuine Toyota part, too.

I'm not sure if it would have been worth it to me to save $100 or so and do the work myself, and I'll have my cruise control back. Bought the Taco with 111K miles on it, I've put 42K on it, and have spent just over 1K on repairs besides brakes/tires. I can live with that.

 

Thank you very much for this visual step by step. I did this yesterday morning and it was a success. No codes were being thrown to indicate that it was the clock spring / spiral cable. My symptoms were:
No horn
Airbag light
I do recommend the steering wheel puller JUST INCASE the wheel is to difficult to pull off. I loaned one from autozone for free. I leave a $24 dollar deposit and I get it back in full when I return it complete. It's called a harmonic balancer puller, not a steering wheel puller. Some employees might not know that it can be used for both. They don't have anything called a steering wheel puller but they have a harmonic balancer puller. Also have the T-30 torx in possession when you decide to do this. You can't get anywhere without it. It was a job accomplished not seeing the lights on my dash AND a real joy to know I have my horn again. Thanx again!!!