Air Bag Light Issue After Front End Collision

First I want say hello to everyone. This is my first day to Tacoma World.
Last year a girl, in a Tahoe, pull out in front of me. T-Boned her at the left rear. The air bag never deployed.
The mechanic stripped the whole front end and used parts from another 96. He ground down any rust a painted EVERYTHING, including the undercarriage.
When I picked it up he informed me that the air bag was going in and out, which it did. Two months later it now comes on when you start the truck and stays on for 5-10 minutes. You turn the truck off, turn the ignition to ACC (or on) the light will not come on at all. If I wait about twenty minutes, I get to start the process all over.
The local dealer said one of my problems was the ECU. I swapped it out with the one from the spare 96. I didn't work. Also purchased an INNOVA 3100J. They assured me that it could read/test the SRS. It didn't. They are "investigating".
Any help would be greatly appreciated, guys and gals. Including a good mechanic in Manassas or Fredericksburg, VA.

 

I download a copy of the Tacoma service manual and resolved the issue. I would like to thank everyone for their helpful advise. Couldn't have done it without you!

 

What did it end up being?

 

The airbag sensor assembly.

 

Thank you! How much was it to replace? Could you find the part on a parts dealer's site or did you have to get one out of a part out?

My airbag light goes off intermittently. I was thinking I would have to bring it to the dealer to get read. Did that scanner end up being able to scan for airbag / srs codes or did the FSM have a walk through for diagnosing air bag problems?

 

A part out. All the parts to rebuild actually came from a 96 that belonged to the painter my mechanic friend use. The painters intentions were to fix it up until he realized that it fell to the cancerous frame rust, that the 96 is famous for. His unfortunate loss but my fortunate gain.
The scanner still can not read the SRS system. Going to call INNOVA tomorrow. Going to send it back if they don't have an answer.
The manual was extremely useful. It also help me understand why the mechanic, at the dealer, thought it was the ECU. It also made me come to conclusion that he was either lazy or just wanted to be rid of me and the truck.
I also bought a used manual, from Amazon, for $190. A new one is around $399.
Here is the link, I used, for the electronic version, http://manuals.co/workshop/toyota/tacoma. I will worn you, though. It is a pain. The guy scanned EVERYTHING, including the blank pages.
Note: I am assuming you are referencing your 98. Mine does not have airbag impact sensors. I read somewhere that the 95-98 do not have them. Something to check into. If that is the case... I would suspect the airbag sensor assembly but troubleshoot first.
Hope this helps!

 

The previous owner said it started going on when the winch was used once it was installed. After uninstalling the winch I still got it to come on with hitting a big enough bump. I'm assuming that it would be a sensor that's malfunctioning or damaged. There was a lot of Mickey Mouse wiring that I've removed and the light went off, but I'm not putting much faith into thinking that I fixed it by doing that.

I've read that the sensor type and position changed over the years - my 08 has sensors that are obvious to spot right next to the ac condensor, but for this truck they're either too well hidden in the engine compartment or possibly up in the trans tunnel - something I read about from other threads on this subject.

I have a PDF copy of a 2000 FSM that is broken down by subject - looks like I'll have to "crack it open" and see if there's any more information. I really don't want to spend any more money than necessary on it than necessary since it's a project truck getting driven around the block once a week to miss getting a street sweeping ticket so it's not like I need to invest anything more than time at the moment. I'll keep looking into it. Thanks again. Glad you got your problem solved without too much money it sounds like.

 

What components are there in the system if they don't have the usual two sensors in the engine bay? I don't see them like on my newer truck so I'm guessing I have the same components as you - the 2000 manual I have is great, but no help for this unfortunately. Where are any of the components located so I know where to take a peek? I appreciate it.

I might have found my answer:

http://www.customtacos.com/forum/28-exterior-body/80141-air-bag-sensors.html#post923068

Now I just have to know what to look for

 

Not sure how far you have gotten so I will start at zero, just in case. Also the info is based on my truck and the copy of the "Toyota Truck Tacoma Extra Cab 4WDV6-3.4L (5VZ-FE) (1998)" service manual from online. The same link I sent before.
Hope the link I copied sends you straight to the SRS section. If it doesn't tehn click on the "WORKSHOP MANUALS" tab and work your to it.

http://manuals.co/workshop/toyota/t...op-manual-extra-cab-4wd-3.4l/5530579/242#pff2

The airbag sensor assembly is behind the bottom section of the center console, below the cigarette lighter and ash tray. Right in front of the gear stick.


This is what you should be looking for.


When going through the online manual, this is what you should be looking for. Start at page 201 and go through the trouble shooting. The bottom line is that the airbag sensor assembly (again referencing my truck) is the controler and sensors.

 

Dude you are the man - the frikin' man. Thank you. I'll jump on that later this week. I appreciate it. Take care. Have a great day!