So... It wasn't my Clockspring

Last week some time my air bag light came on and stayed on. I jumped the appropriate OBD pins and got a 51 code. Must be my Clockspring, but I didn't have any other "symptoms". After trying to narrow down the correct and superseded part # I decided to just pull the wheel and look on the part. After recording the part # I took the back of the Clockspring off, it looked like a smaller version of the CS that was attached to the CS. It had three metal contact looking spots on the bottom of it but the mating surface of the CS had no corresponding contacts. I cleaned them and all the other plugs in the vicinity with WD-40, recombined the 2 parts of the CS then re-centered the CS and reassembled the wheel. Started up truck, and airbag light goes off like it should. I believe the metal contacts are magnetic pickups for the VSC, I'm not sure witch plug or what action I did corrected the short or condition causing the light but before you go shelling out $200 plus for a OEM CS you might want to take look inside there.

 

Steering angle sensor.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...ug-but-everything-works.696977/#post-24657937

That would be Item # 8 in the image below and is clipped onto the back of the Spiral Cable Assembly.

 

Thats it! If it is not working would that cause an SRS fault? Or was it centering the CS that corrected the light ( not even sure it was off, just did it )? I haven't done anything to been into the steering wheel for 2 years. I had an alignment done a month ago. rebuilt drive shaft, brakes, but that wouldn't have anything to do with the driver SRS. I'm glad I got ride of the light, but really would like to know root cause.

 

I'm not sure if that would give you an SRS Fault or not. I don't think it would as it is not part of the SRS System.

The steering angle sensor belongs to the ABS Chassis Control System.

Your Code 51 is an issue with the Drivers Side Squib Circuit.

DTC B1800/51 Short in Driver Side Squib Circuit
DTC B1801/51 Open in Driver Side Squib Circuit
DTC B1802/51 Short to GND in Driver Side Squib Circuit
DTC B1803/51 Short to B+ in Driver Side Squib Circuit

DESCRIPTION

The driver side squib circuit consists of the center airbag sensor assembly, the spiral cable and the steering pad.The circuit signals the SRS to deploy when deployment conditions are met.These DTCs are set when a malfunction is detected in the driver side squib circuit.

Trouble Areas:
•Instrument panel wire
•Spiral cable
•Steering pad (Driver side squib)
•Center airbag sensor assembly

IF you are going to check this circuit out follow the safety precautions: The squib is an explosive device and will hurt you! Do not apply voltage (do not check the resistance) to the squib.

CAUTION:
In order to prevent unexpected airbag deployment, disconnect the following connectors before inspecting parts such as wire harnesses, if the application of tester probes to the center airbag sensor assembly connector is necessary.

(a) Turn the ignition switch to the LOCK position.
(b) Disconnect the negative (-) terminal cable from the battery and wait for at least 90 seconds.
(c) Disconnect the connectors from the center airbag sensor assembly.
(d) Disconnect the connectors from the steering pad.
(e) Disconnect the connector from the front passenger airbag assembly.
(f) Disconnect the connector from the front seat airbag assembly LH.
(g) Disconnect the connector from the front seat airbag assembly RH.HINT:Skip the following steps if side and curtain shield airbags are not fitted.
(h) Disconnect the connector from the curtain shield airbag assembly LH.
(i) Disconnect the connector from the curtain shield airbag assembly RH.
(j) Disconnect the connector from the front seat outer belt assembly LH.
(k) Disconnect the connector from the front seat outer belt assembly RH.