The little red light (Pass airbag)

Last September I bought a 2000 Tacoma for $1,000 that had been recently wrecked. The truck has 465,000 miles on it but it also has a brand new engine along with king coil shocks, rolltop bed cover and many other extras.

I had a steel bumper welded on and got new lights, Radiator, hood and grill (its a work in progress). There was no airbag deployment and the damage to the fenders was very minimal. I also drilled out the bumper and installed new turn signals

My issue is I went out to the garage and started the truck today and the battery was dead as a door nail (Door locks wouldn't even activate) since the battery is brand new (One of a few things that was replaced after purchase) I knew something was draining the battery. I charged the battery, started the truck and started looking for anything that could have drained the battery. The only thing I found was the little red light under the passenger side airbag selector wouldn't turn off. Since the truck was in the garage for over 2 weeks I suppose it's possible? I have tried switching it off and on a few times to get the red light to turn off but it persists to stay on. I disconnected the battery cables and have not touched the truck since. Could a faulty sensor and a little red light really had drained my battery?

To also add: About a month ago at Home Depot the truck wouldn't start (turn key and nothing) and by putting the truck in gear and then rocking the truck back and forth (to get the bendix spring to engage the flywheel) I was able to get the truck to start and get home. I'm actually thinking that might have been a battery cable problem though? Could these two issues be related? Since this is my first Tacoma I have learned they have additional switches for the ignition that other cars don't have like the ignition cable switch (which I'm replacing soon, just arrived a few days ago)

 

When it wouldn't start but rocking it helped makes me think of neutral safety switch if it's an automatic. If not, I don't know.

 

It's a manual and after talking to a few people I went ahead and ordered this.....


This is a ignition starter switch and is located under the dashboard. I still think it might have been loose battery cables but will replace this part anyways. I changed out the relay as well. Since the truck has over 450,000 miles yet a new engine, it will be everything around the engine that will be going bad.

Still curious about that red light under the passenger airbag selector.

Thanks for your response.

 

Isn't the name Randall Flagg from the stand if I remember correctly, it's been 20+ years since I have read it. I was just wondering.

 

Yes and other books

 

Can you send a picture of the red light under the airbag selector? I don't see one on mine...

 

This is exactly what mine looks like except for on mine there is a little red bulb under the switch that has remained illuminated......even when the truck is turned off.
It sits directly below the switch on the plastic trim piece separating the heater controls and the switch itself.

 

Do you know what it's for?

 

Maybe it has something to do with an aftermarket security system??? I'm not aware of any LEDs on that entire piece of plastic trim.

 

Yeah its gotta be an aftermarket goodie of some sort...

 

I assumed it was somehow connected to that passenger airbag switch?

This truck is loaded with extra's, I guess I need to dig around some more? I'm not aware of any alarm on the truck but I had to change the driver side door lock because I never got the remote to unlock the doors.

 

What was wrong with the original key to use for the doors?

Shouldnt be too hard to track down the light issue. It has power from somewhere. Prolly the battery or a add a fuse in one of the two fuse panels.
It does seem like an alarm light though...check reall good up above the pedals and all up in there. Thats where itll be if its got one. Itll be a funky lil box usually black with lots of wires all spliced into the harness under there, usually with shotty wire tap dealio things.

 

When I was given the key to the truck it worked in the ignition but didn't work in the doors. When I asked for the remote he said he didn't have it. When I lock the truck I can only unlock the drivers side and then push the armrest button to unlock the passenger side. I went ahead and took a picture of the light and I'm also adding a picture of this strange little black box that keeps falling down on my left foot as I drive. When I try to put it back under the dash it doesn't appear there is a place that it fits? The writing on the box says "Clifford". Any idea's as to what it is? Alarm maybe?

 

Possibly an alarm.

Also to open the passenger side with a key from the driver side door, you have to double turn the key.

 

Well I just googled "Clifford" and they are the makers of remote starters. I have the little antenna on the inside of the truck on the upper left windshield.

Thanks for the info on the key. I have to do the same thing with my wife's Camry.

 

Yip that box is the problem fur sure! Try and disconnect that stupid thing and your battery issues will be solved. Those things suck! Atleast once a month there is a thread on here about all kinda weird problems that occur outta the blue. It always ends up being a stupid black box under the steering colum...

Shoulda mentioned you had that box from the get go...that led light is from that system.

 

That's why I'm here asking questions and seeking answers

Always a process of gathering knowledge and eliminating possibilities.

Thanks for the help and all the input. I will get that box out of there and wasn't even aware the light was even associated with the box.

 

I'm not finding any info on Youtube or anything so I will ask here. How do I remove that remote starter? I can't just unplug it right?

There is 4 sets of wiring bundles that plug into it. Is it just that simple to unplug the bundles and then ziptie those bundles under the dashboard?