Airbag light won't turn off

[dubgil]

anyone had this problem?
I have a 2007 Sedan. initially the Airbag light would turn on, go away, come back on, now it's permanently lit.

(i'm refering to the airbag indicator under the spedometer)

the airbag has never deployed...

anyone?

[CTScott]

There are many reasons why it could be on. You can get the SRS ECU to report the DTC, (which will point to where in the system the problem lies), by following this procedure:

http://www.yarisworld.com/forums/sho...67&postcount=6

[dubgil]

Originally Posted by CTScott

There are many reasons why it could be on. You can get the SRS ECU to report the DTC, (which will point to where in the system the problem lies), by following this procedure:

http://www.yarisworld.com/forums/sho...67&postcount=6

WHOA WHOA WHOA!!! total newbie here, laymans terms? I need a CODE device I take it, one of them things that tells me error codes...
sorry I should have mentioned I'm nooB...

[CTScott]

Originally Posted by dubgil

WHOA WHOA WHOA!!! total newbie here, laymans terms? I need a CODE device I take it, one of them things that tells me error codes...
sorry I should have mentioned I'm nooB...

The SRS ECU is the computer for the airbags.

DTCs are Diagnostic Trouble Codes.

The SRS ECU won't report its codes to a normal diagnostic scanner - It will only talk to a Toyota specific test tool. But, by jumping two pins together on the DLC3 (the diagnostic connector under the dash, next to the hood pop lever) you can get the SRS ECU to flash the airbag light in a pattern that will indicate the numeric code(s) for the problem(s).

If you aren't comfortable with jumping the pins, then your only real option is to go to the dealer and have them read the codes for you.

[spookybathtub]

This happened to me a few months back. (2007 manual 3dr)
I did the old "OBDII port jumper" trick and found the trouble code. From there, I looked up the code in the official service manual, and followed the flowchart to find the problem. I eventually traced it down to the spiral cable in the steering wheel. Don't ask me how it broke; I've never even thought about taking off the wheel. But after this happened, I took it all apart, and was lucky enough to find a spiral cable assembly in a junkyard, soldered it in, and my airbag light has been off for several months now. Saved myself $250 over a pro repair

There are numerous other things that could cause your light to be on, but with the error code, the flowchart, and a lot of patience, you can certainly solve it yourself.

By the way, the service manual is an invaluable resource for any kind of mods or repairs. You can find it here in pieces: http://www.etimago.com/yaris/repairmanual/
or here as a torrent: http://thepiratebay.org/torrent/3523...Service_Manual

[essarr]

Originally Posted by spookybathtub

This happened to me a few months back. (2007 manual 3dr)
I did the old "OBDII port jumper" trick and found the trouble code. From there, I looked up the code in the official service manual, and followed the flowchart to find the problem. I eventually traced it down to the spiral cable in the steering wheel. Don't ask me how it broke; I've never even thought about taking off the wheel. But after this happened, I took it all apart, and was lucky enough to find a spiral cable assembly in a junkyard, soldered it in, and my airbag light has been off for several months now. Saved myself $250 over a pro repair

There are numerous other things that could cause your light to be on, but with the error code, the flowchart, and a lot of patience, you can certainly solve it yourself.

By the way, the service manual is an invaluable resource for any kind of mods or repairs. You can find it here in pieces: http://www.etimago.com/yaris/repairmanual/
or here as a torrent: http://thepiratebay.org/torrent/3523...Service_Manual

Hey i think i have the exact same problem... would anyone be able to direct me towards how this repair goes? how to take out the column and replace the clock spring?
thanks!

[Vioz]

My light is on too as well, its been on for months already I have to get it fixed :/

[andruboz]

I checked mine today and i swear the dtc is 3251 but under the srs section of the manual on etimago's site there is no 3251 code for srs.

the dealer wants $99 just to put the code reader on it. would sure like to know more for less..

And i need mine figured out by next week when my inspection sticker expires..
I shoulda been working on this months ago.

[CTScott]

Originally Posted by andruboz

I checked mine today and i swear the dtc is 3251 but under the srs section of the manual on etimago's site there is no 3251 code for srs.

the dealer wants $99 just to put the code reader on it. would sure like to know more for less..

And i need mine figured out by next week when my inspection sticker expires..
I shoulda been working on this months ago.

51 is an abbreviated code for the flashing light method. Four DTCs can be associated with 51:

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

Basically saying that there is most likely an issue with the spiral cable.

[andruboz]

or would that be 2 codes a 32 and a 51???

because 51 has something to do with the spiral wire like Spooky's.

and 32 would be a floor wire..maybe a connection loose under a seat?


thnx Scott. forgot to look before i posted..

[CTScott]

Originally Posted by andruboz

or would that be 2 codes a 32 and a 51???

because 51 has something to do with the spiral wire like Spooky's.

and 32 would be a floor wire..maybe a connection loos under a seat?


thnx Scott. forgot to look before i posted..

That's correct - Two separate two digit codes - 32 & 51

[andruboz]

if i was sure it was the spiral cable- i guess i'd just buy a whole steering column and swap the wire. looks like its $75 for a column and $25 shipping on ebay. but then if its delicate i might pay $100 for a spiral cable just as broke. what a conundrum.

[CTScott]

Originally Posted by andruboz

if i was sure it was the spiral cable- i guess i'd just buy a whole steering column and swap the wire. looks like its $75 for a column and $25 shipping on ebay. but then if its delicate i might pay $100 for a spiral cable just as broke. what a conundrum.

It's easy enough to test it out using a multimeter, before you drop any cash on it.

[spookybathtub]

That's true, they melt. But that might be ok. In my case, the break happened inside the spiral itself, and the wires extending from the spiral assembly were intact. So I bought a spiral assembly from a car where the airbag had indeed deployed, cut the melted end off, and soldered my end on. I think it cost me $10.

[andruboz]

Hey Spooky, how many wires were broke? can it be patched or is it like a ribbon cable?

[spookybathtub]

Inside the spiral assembly, there is a ribbon cable containing 4 wires (or maybe it's 5). If you are familiar with IDE cables in a computer, these are MUCH thinner than that. I'm pretty good with a soldering iron, but this is simply impossible to patch. The joint needs to not only be thin as a hair, but flexible, which silver/lead is not.

[devinlamothe]

Yeah I have a broken spiral cable sitting here from when I was putting on my fog light stalk. I ended up just buying a replacement clockspring and replacing it myself. It was easier and cheaper than the suggested dealer replacement of $900. I think the part by itself was around $200.

[transcendentalcrap]

Well after a bit of research, I found this thread and thought I'd add to it rather than start a new one.

My airbag light came on Friday while driving down the highway. What I have so far is a 51 code. I looked up the service manual and got the four possible problems:

1. Instrument Panel Wire
2. Spiral Cable
3. Speed Pad (Drivers Side Squib)
4. Center Airbag Sensor Assembly

I don't know if I'm tired from work or what but right now, I don't know what to do next. The manual is not making sense. . .