Airbag light on

[2o6]

I don't know what to think. This seems so random and stupid. It just radomly came on after a drive.

[2o6]

OK, anger aside, mechanics have been playing with my car all day to test out the fan relay and fan motor. Wondering it could be incompetence and a blown or missing airbag fuse? Is there any specific fuse that the airbag uses? Otherwise I will just take it to the dealer (again) not comfortable with jumping pins.

[CTScott]

SRS just uses the IGN and ECU-B circuits, so it's not a fuse.

[2o6]

Tried jumping the pins. Couldn't get it to flash, but the light went out.


It went out a little earlier today, but then it came back on. Now when i jumped the pins, it didn't go flash a code but simply went off like normal.



EDIT: Back on again. Seems like the light comes on and off after a few drive cycles. Taking it to the dealer to get a read.

[2o6]

Ok, it's now sporradically on or off. Ill drive and it'll be off for awhile, then click on. Then it will turn off.

[auxmike]

Have you ever removed the steering wheel in the past?

[Golddeenoh]

is there a sensor in the driver's seat like there is in the passengers? I Know some times items in my passenger's seat will do that, and sometime make the seat belt light come on.

[CTScott]

Originally Posted by Golddeenoh

is there a sensor in the driver's seat like there is in the passengers? I Know some times items in my passenger's seat will do that, and sometime make the seat belt light come on.

No. There is just a seat position sensor on the track of the driver's seat.

[2o6]

Originally Posted by auxmike

Have you ever removed the steering wheel in the past?

No, I just got this car back in March.

[09sedan]

from the sounds of it , it could be the clockspring in your steering wheel, a wire might have broken inside the harness.

[2o6]

...how hard is this to fix?

[CTScott]

Have you fixed your alternator issue yet?

Reading through the SRS section of the service manual, low system voltage will make the SRS light come on, and it is the only issue that will allow the light to come on and go back off without resetting:



The center airbag sensor assembly is equipped with a voltage-increase circuit (DC-DC converter) in case the source voltage decreases. When the battery voltage decreases, the voltage-increase circuit (DC-DC converter) boosts the SRS voltage up to the normal level.
Malfunctions relating to battery voltage decreases cause the SRS warning light to illuminate, however, no DTCs are recorded in the center airbag sensor assembly. The SRS warning light goes off automatically when the source voltage returns to normal.

[2o6]

Actually, no I haven't. But it did cross my mind when this happened.



That actually makes sense; coupled with the extra heat of these couple days (90 degrees F outside) possible load issues with the burnt out cooling fan (maybe it caused it, IDK) that sounds like it may be plausible. Will still check it out at the Toyota dealer to see if it's an actual SRS fault or simply a bad alternator.


That probably explains why I got nothing when I tried to jump the pins...

[2o6]

Magically, all the Toyota dealers are booked solid for an SRS check, and it kind of terrifies me. I think they may try and tear the car to pieces.


Might be testing the alternator theory blind, but it makes sense, though. The light stays off when there is minimal electrical load (when first started) but comes on when accessories and such turn on. Then it'll tend click off when returned to idle with no accessories.

[CTScott]

Originally Posted by 2o6

Magically, all the Toyota dealers are booked solid for an SRS check, and it kind of terrifies me. I think they may try and tear the car to pieces.


Might be testing the alternator theory blind, but it makes sense, though. The light stays off when there is minimal electrical load (when first started) but comes on when accessories and such turn on. Then it'll tend click off when returned to idle with no accessories.

Just take care of the alternator issue. You know it is a problem and based on you not seeing SRS codes with the jumper and the blurb I posted above, the alternator output is definitely the issue with your SRS.

[2o6]

Just checked the output of the alternator via a quick test at autozone. It's at around 14.5V, which IIRC is on the high side (no audio equipment on, and no cooling fan running). Increase of revs brings no change in voltage. I checked the codes again; light resets itself (and is no longer on). I think this thing is playing tag, and the voltage regulator is deciding to work every now and again.

Autozone guy says everything is "fine" but what does he know? Something awry here.



I still have an appointment with the Toyota dealer to get an SRS scan, but I have a feeling they aren't going to listen to me and simply take the car apart then try and charge me for something mundane.

[CTScott]

14.5 is actually OK. The voltage regulator keeps it from climbing above that.

The alternator to battery feed may be OK, but the battery to the rest of the car feed may be corroded. Check the battery terminals for corrosion and also check where the large wires connect to the bottom of the positive battery terminal.

[2o6]

I should also say that the battery light will fairly often (upon startup) come on then go out. I tried checking the SRS codes after the test, and the codes reset again. I think the problem is hiding and sporadic in the alternator.


Since the car charged up, and the light generally went off I never thought anything of it.