Flashing airbag light?

Tiny
JERRY ALLEN
  • MEMBER
  • 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA
  • 150,000 MILES
Need to repair flashing airbag lite. I was told to look under steering wheel for yellow fuse. There are none. Under the hood is another fuse box. It has two yellow fuses. One is 60A for ABS and the other is a 20A for EFI. I have no idea where to go from here.
Sunday, June 30th, 2013 AT 3:39 PM

9 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,885 POSTS
If the light is flashing, you need to get the codes this video will show you how, I have seen the clock spring under the steering wheel cause this but he video will tell you for sure.

https://youtu.be/gnSGfEqrf_w

Please run down this guide and report back.
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Sunday, June 30th, 2013 AT 9:14 PM
Tiny
DOGMA101
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1997 TOYOTA TACOMA
  • 200,000 MILES
Been told key card pulled white connector apart and tested for power with light tester horn beeped and CC light came on in dash.
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Wednesday, November 25th, 2020 AT 8:45 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 33,916 POSTS
Is "CC" short for cruise control? If so, suspect the clock spring. It's a wound-up ribbon cable in a plastic housing under the steering wheel.
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Wednesday, November 25th, 2020 AT 8:45 AM (Merged)
Tiny
DOGMA101
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Yes it is. Do they make replacement ones or is it fix able?
Thank you
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Wednesday, November 25th, 2020 AT 8:45 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 33,916 POSTS
It's a commonly replaced item but it's not practical to repair it.
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Wednesday, November 25th, 2020 AT 8:45 AM (Merged)
Tiny
INTERMODEL
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1996 TOYOTA TACOMA
  • 2.4L
  • 4 CYL
  • MANUAL
  • 150,000 MILES
Simple simply with steering wheel airbag only. The control module is also sensor located in center under ash tray and easily accessed. The part(s) is no longer available nor are any parts with SRS in this truck at genuine Toyota parts. Problem pointed out at failed inspection. Anyway, after much research I found no risk procedure to drain the electrons by grounding both detached batter cables overnight to ground rod. In morning when key is turned on, the airbag light slowly lights and comes on full and goes off after 6 seconds. Can drive short time and all works fine. But as time goes by the light no longer comes on when key is turned on. I can extend the working time by disconnecting the sensor module. Reconnect and works fine. Again if system is attached to battery for extended time (hour) the light will not come on. After draining all electronics to ground with battery disconnected overnight, then reconnecting, SRS works for some time less than hour. Can extend working time by unplugging the control module sensor under the ash tray in this steering wheel only airbag and simple single sensor under ashtray.
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Wednesday, November 25th, 2020 AT 8:45 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 48,363 POSTS
Hello,

It sounds like the airbag control module is going out which they call the airbag sensor in the diagrams below. but first we should can the airbag system. Here is a video with the location of the module below:

https://youtu.be/gnSGfEqrf_w

Check out the diagrams (below). Please let us know what you find. We are interested to see what it is.
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Wednesday, November 25th, 2020 AT 8:45 AM (Merged)
Tiny
INTERMODEL
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Ken; the video certainly helps in understanding the end process. Fortunately I work as teacher at tech school and the auto tech class can have at it. Your diagrams shows on 'genuine Toyota parts' organization for a simple system and parts are discontinued. But I have confirm with inspection it is an early simple SRS. Basically the control module/sensor probably has a bearing inside that comes loose at 30 mph accident and throws circuit to explode the balloon in steering wheel. I am still trying to understand why draining the system electrons to ground enable the control/sensor to operate correctly for short period of time? No doubt fickle part. All connections are as good as new. Truck in great shape with very little dirt or salt exposure. I will assume from your hint that problem is the control sensor module, since other 3 parts; coil spring, gas inflator, and the bag, are pretty straight forward. Thanks for help. I am good for another year as system preformed correctly few minutes.
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Wednesday, November 25th, 2020 AT 8:45 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 48,363 POSTS
It sounds like an IC is out which gets reset when power to reintroduced like the old AM radios. Please let us know if you need anything else to get the problem fixed.
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Wednesday, November 25th, 2020 AT 8:45 AM (Merged)

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