Airbag light stays on dashbord

[yaitsme]

The "airbag" light on the instrument panel has been staying on even after the engine starts. Its is intermittent though, sometimes when I start the engine the light turns off like it is supposed to, but sometimes it stays on and when it stays on it will stay on while the engine is running. But later when I get back in the car and start it, it will turn off. I don't even know where to start to look. Any help would be great, Thanks.

[swidd]

Where is OC?

There are some excellent threads on this topic here on this forum.

I had your issue, and fixed it for $50ish. Dealer price is ~$800. Like you, sometimes it would remain off after starting, but then turn on after a while.

It is most likely the clock spring in your steering wheel. It explains why it sometimes takes a while before the short happens (you turn the wheel..., the cable wire inside moves kinda random)

You will need:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LgWSzVeILhc Note you need a special screw driver head for the two bolts on the side. 19mm socket for the wheel. Disconnect battery, ensure you retain the zero on the clockspring and steering wheel.

eBay seller I purchased from - quick delivery, sealed/zeroed with a plastic tie (http://www.ebay.com/itm/84306-22010-Brand-New-Spiral-Cable-ClockSpring-for-Toyota-Highlander-RAV4-Yaris-/290900379882?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&fits=Model%3AYaris&hash=item43bb0388ea&vxp=mtr)

http://www.yarisworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=39333

http://www.yarisworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=32554 This thread helped me, and I posted an update to my own issues there. (http://www.yarisworld.com/forums/showpost.php?p=701760&postcount=85)

http://www.yarisworld.com/forums/showpost.php?p=499567&postcount=6

You can go ahead and generally thank CTScott upfront, as he has already solved your issue.

[yaitsme]

OC is Orange County, in California.
Thanks swidd for getting all the info together in one place for me and thanks CTScott for providing all the info that swidd got together. I will do all the checks this weekend.

[swidd]

Yep :-)

I just ordered the clockspring before even checking the codes, because the symptoms were such a perfect match to what CTScott described in the various threads.

Reading codes was tricky; I believe the best method (which I didn't do) is to remove the little box above the ODB port, and insert paper clips from above. I connected crocodile clamps with wires to the paper clips so I could short it while also sitting in a position to see the codes flash on the dashboard. And note that even if 51 is the code for clockspring (and some other possibilities), I had two unrelated codes that also went away after replacing the clockspring.

[riydan]

The "airbag" light on the instrument panel has been staying on even after the engine starts. Its is intermittent though, sometimes when I start the engine the light turns off like it is supposed to, but sometimes it stays on and when it stays on it will stay on while the engine is running. But later when I get back in the car and start it, it will turn off. I don't even know where to start to look. Any help would be great, Thanks.

Yep :-)

I just ordered the clockspring before even checking the codes, because the symptoms were such a perfect match to what CTScott described in the various threads.

Reading codes was tricky; I believe the best method (which I didn't do) is to remove the little box above the ODB port, and insert paper clips from above. I connected crocodile clamps with wires to the paper clips so I could short it while also sitting in a position to see the codes flash on the dashboard. And note that even if 51 is the code for clockspring (and some other possibilities), I had two unrelated codes that also went away after replacing the clockspring.

I actually have the same problem that started the day after 4th of July. Let me know what your findings are. I'm showing a code 51 and was considering on just replacing it anyways if its only $45 def beats $800 from a dealership. It seems like extra work to remove everything, and if it ended up being the clockspring I would have to put it all back together then order the part. im just lazy but want it fixed hahaha :biggrin:

[clarenceie]

Hooray, OC.

My 07 Yaris has the same problem before, Airbag light was on, then off. And it seemed to vary with the angle of the wheel. Replaced it, and fixed it.

If I had to do it again, I would buy a new original. A 3rd party one I bought from ebay lasted only 3 months.