Weird airbag light issue

1996 Tacoma LX 4x4 - 3.4L - 325K miles

So for the last year or so, the airbag light is sometime off, sometimes on and sometime barely on (dimly lit, then peters out in minutes).

Before I start replacing the clock spring or anything expensive/complex, I'm wondering if a simpler fix is possible. It's almost as if there is a semi-loose wire that could be re-secured.

Thanks in advance!

 

My light turned on for some reason when I changed my head unit in the truck. (when it shouldn't have) Putting the airbag key in and changing the position back and forth fixed it. have you tried this simple fix already?

 

No I have not, thank you. I had no idea there was an airbag key for a 1996. Where would this be located? I just assumed this issue was because of a loose harness/wire somewhere.

I should add that my truck is not throwing any codes.

 

Not sure about the 96, but on my 99 the airbag key is on the dash by the center air vents. It's the on/off switch for the passenger side airbag.

 

^ this, should be clearly labelled and have a key slot in it

 

Ah OK. No passenger side AB on the 96. Thanks for the suggestion though.

 

can also disconnect the battery and reconnect after a bit to see if it clears. But if the issue is intermittent then it is likely wiring and you might have to go digging in your wires

 

My 95.5 does this. I’m thinking clock spring, but my horn and cruise control still work...

 

no dash airbag key switch on a 96, only the steering wheel airbag. In order to know what is going on, you have to get the error codes.

You can either get the codes with a SRS (airbag) capable scan tool or via the DIAGNOSIS port in the engine bay, near the intake. If you do use this method, short the Tc and E1 pins together with a piece of wire (diagram is inside the cover when you flip it open). The airbag light will blink in a pattern telling you the code.