SRS (Airbag) Code 53 (with solution)

I recently had an airbag light come on and stay on in my '07 Tacoma. I checked the usual suspects (seat connectors and crash sensors), but no luck with either of those - all connections were corrosion free, and seated properly.

I stumbled across this wonderful document, which showed how to check which code was responsible without a specialty diagnostic tool (and no trip to the dealership):

https://docs.google.com/document/d/...JunZjxW5i8XqhF70GPgx9zQgZ1ZB-NN3Hlt-582FM/pub

Basically, you turn the key to the ON position (engine off), and jump pins 4 and 13 on the OBD-II connector. The SRS (airbag) light started flashing a sequence at me, which told me it was code 53. After looking at all the possible causes here:

https://www.toyotanation.com/threads/srs-code-53.600825/#:~:text="Your airbag has a code,wheel without breaking the circuit.

...I decided the spiral cable (clock spring) assembly was the most likely cause. I replaced it (about a 20 minute job), and that fixed the problem. The airbag light is now off, and everything works as expected.

Backstory:

My Tacoma is a 2007, Off-Road w/ cruise control, but no steering wheel controls, and no vehicle stability control (VSC). I added an aftermarket stereo system a few years back, and decided I wanted to add steering wheel controls.

In the process of doing that, I replaced the original spiral cable assembly (part number 84306‑04080) with one that supported steering wheel controls (part number 84306‑0E010). I cheaped out and bought the "new" clock spring/sprial cable assembly on Ebay since it was a fraction of the price of a new one, and was listed as a new OEM part.

I've had issues with the steering wheel controls not working for the last couple years, especially on hot days. I placed the blame on my aftermarket steering wheel controls interface (Metra Axxess ASWC-1)...everything else worked just fine (horn, cruise control, and airbag), so it had to be that. I'm guessing it was the spiral cable assembly all along. I know that Toyota had a bad batch many years ago, and I'm guessing this was either one of those, or someone repaired one that failed and passed it off as new.

I took the old one apart to see if I could find the failure point, and this is what I found:



Looks like the ribbon cable was kinked, and a couple of the copper traces broke. Up until I replaced it this morning, the horn, cruise control, and steering wheel controls all worked - the only thing that was an issue was the constant SRS light on the dash.

My lesson learned: if your life depends on it, just spend the money on the OEM part. I've been pulling my hair out for weeks trying to figure this one out. Total cost for a new spiral cable assembly was around ~$230 shipped to my door, and about 20 minutes of my time replacing it.

Hope that helps someone else in the future.