Spiral cable?

Another question for the TW. Recently I noticed my horn wouldn't sound when I pushed on the wheel. I stood next to the fender with hood up and had a buddy try it and no sound of the relay clicking. Just to be sure I replaced the relay and still nothing. I tried it while turning the wheel both ways and nope. Now I put in a new head unit about 3 years ago and never installed the steering wheel adapter so I already knew those buttons didn't work. But I never noticed until recently that the lights didn't illuminate. Then while fishing around in the cab I hit the horn with my butt and it sounded. Wtf? All my other controls (cruise, blinker, ect.) work just fine. I don't know if my spiral cable is going out or if I have a problem with the switch in the wheel? Anyone with any ideas, please throw your 2 cents in. I am hesitant to go tearing into the wheel unless necessary and I have heard changing the spiral out can be a real challenge but I am not afraid to get in there. Just don't want to open a can of worms that I don't have to. I can't seem to get a good game plan started so thought maybe the guru's here could point me in the right direction. Thanks.

 

What about the cruise control?

I've changed about 4 or 5 ribbon cables over the years on different toyotas. The Ebay/Chinese ribbon cables work just fine. At $26 or so, if I think there is an issue, I just change it. It's not hard.

Please don't start an argument about not using OEM ribbon cables and the chinese ribbon cables not being higher quality. If it was higher quality, they wouldn't have broke in the 1st place.

 

I agree it is probably the spiral cable.

 

I don't have a problem using either oem or aftermarket. At the difference in price, if it isn't hard to change, I would go with the cheaper of the two.

 

I've heard conflicting accounts on here. Some say it's cake, others said it's a real bi@#h. I just wanted someone else to give their opinion before I go replacing something that didn't need to be replaced. Thanks. As far as illumination of the radio buttons, do you think it would solve that as well? It doesn't really matter but it would be nice to kill two birds with one stone.

 

It's like a $200 difference in price. As easy as they are to change, I'm willing to install again if the replacement fails. I never have had to install another, though.

 

And yes, cruise control works just fine.

 

If you can install a stereo the clock spring will be cake.

 

Whoa. Ya I will try the cheaper of the two. Thanks.

 

If it's easier than the hu then I feel much more confident. The hu was super easy, it was the wiring and sound deadening that took more time.

 

Yes the lights for the stereo buttons and controls come through the spiral cable. Make sure you get the one for your truck by the VIN as there are two one for stereo controls and one without stereo controls.

 

Here is a DIY if you are interested in trying yourself.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/2nd-gen-clockspring-replacement-how-to.106114/

 

Thanks, I found that one too. I don't see why some people are saying that it is difficult. From what I see it looks pretty easy...knock on wood.

 

Well crap! I took off the side panels on steering wheel today and started to remove the airbag. I pushed on the horn accidentally and it sounded. Put airbag back in loose and tried it, worked. Tightened the torx screws and no horn. You guys still think it's the spiral cable or bad connection somewhere between? Everything else works except horn and illumination of radio controls.

 

No I don't. I feel it's not the cable.

But on a more important note. Why do you have the battery hooked up when working around the air bag?!!!

Disconnect that power before you go any further!

 

I did. I reconnected battery right before I tightened the torx just to be sure I had it right. Now the airbag light is on so screw it...just going to change the spiral anyway and go from there. What a pia just for a horn. Some people on here are adamant about oem and some say it's a waste of money. Seeing how I am just about flat broke, I am thinking about a fleabay one and cross my fingers.

 

If I remember correctly - my spiral was replaced under a recall? But it was a long time ago and I don't have the paperwork.

 

Mine was too. A number of years ago the airbag light came on. Took it to the dealer and they replaced it for free. Now my truck is way out of warranty so I highly doubt they would do it again. Besides that I know they would take one look at it and see all the mods that have been done and not touch it with a 10 foot pole. Even though I haven't altered anything on the steering column they would refuse to help me because of all the other changes.