Air Bag Control Module

Good stuff...thanks

Light stays off when the key is removed (ignition off), battery is connected, and airbag control module harness is unplugged.

Tomorrow I will replace the control module.

TL

 

Victory.....after installing the replacement module, dash lite only comes on for a few seconds after key turned to run position, then goes off. No BANG or other issues.

All is well....

I have not spent much time at this site since joining 18 months ago, but can't thank you who responded enough. Great advice and insights. I have so few issues with this vehicle and it's so easy to work on, there has not been much need. But, I think I'll lurk from time to time to hear from you Tacoma experts. Thanks again!

 

I saw you posted tonight and for a moment I thought "Uh Oh!" But, Congratulations. You won!

A few years after I replaced the airbag system in my Nissan, I decided to check online and see if there were any legal issues with installing 'used' airbag parts. There were a lot of people saying "I can't recommend it, Don't do it, It's not worth the risk, etc...." but no regulations prohibiting it.
It's certainly way better than the nasty, illegal practice I've heard of, where someone installs an empty cover instead of an airbag. In my case, had new airbag parts been available, the cost would've certainly totaled the car!

For anyone planning to install used airbag parts, it's best to get them from the same make, model & year, or ask the salvage yard if they have an interchange database, so they can look up if the part fits different years or models. It's best if the donor vehicle hasn't been sitting in the yard too long. My local Pick-N-Pull has a30-day turnover. Also that the vehicle doesn't have severe body damage and all the airbag components are intact. It's also best if the donor vehicle's glass is intact, so the airbag system hasn't had major exposure to the weather.

Happy Motoring, Mark D.

 

If it's still working, I suggest you leave it alone. If you're worried about it accidentally going off, but you sit well back of the steering wheel, you should be fine. There may be serious legal issues if you disable it!

Mark D.

 

Hi everyone- sorry for bringing this back up, but dealing with a 2003 module and this is one of the few threads that has any info on these modules. Do you all know if there is a cut off for when these things started becoming VIN locked? Sounds like you were able to swap out without any reprogramming-- curious if by the 2001 redesign they started VIN locking and making swapping out more difficult.

The dealers I talked to wont reprogram used modules. Understandably so

 

I saw your other thread. I don't know what year they became VIN locked- that thought actually hadn't occurred to me at all. However, there are a few threads where owners were able to get their existing modules repaired by 3rd party (not the dealers) module repair companies. I would suggest that route. You may be overcomplicating by worrying about or bringing up the VIN lock.

 

Yeah Im not actually sure if they are for 1st gens-- cant find any Tacoma specific info that says whether they are or not.

A rebuild would be something to look into-- only issue is any google searches are swamped by airbag reset services.

Seems like a lead towards a true rebuild service will be something Ill find by word of mouth on here. But even that is probably just capacitor replacement. If only my soldering skills were better

 

I think what you search for makes a big difference. "car module repair" turns up a bunch of results (some are even local to SD, not sure where you live). You're more likely to get a solid go/no go by just starting at the top of the list and call them to see if they are capable or a repair or refurb.