Airbag Light on - Toyota Yaris Forums

coffiend · 03-28-2014, 03:02 PM

I know there's been a couple threads on airbag lights, but my situation is a lil different.

Long story short, A stupid driver made a stupid move and almost caused me to crash. I slammed on my horn, and I mean SLAMMED (emotions got the best of me :P) now the Air bag light is on.

Looking at it, it looks like when I hit the horn, the whole cover thing kind of jammed and is stuck at the top seam, while leaving a gap at the bottom seam (I attached photos to show what I'm talking about) Is there any way the cover is could be compressing something causing the airbag light to come on? Is there a way to just take the cover off to try to re-align it to see if that helps anything?

Just wanted to see what I could do myself before taking it into the dreaded dealer to have them raid my wallet.

Thanks in advance, friends

CTScott · 03-28-2014, 03:47 PM

It is possible that whacking the steering wheel damaged something. The typical thing that fails though is the plastic isolators for the horn switch. And from the looks of yours one or more of those is crushed. Unfortunately you can't purchase replacements without purchasing the entire airbag assembly.

That though would not cause the SRS light. More likely the hard hit to the steering wheel damaged the clockspring (spiral cable).

To start with, follow my procedure in the thread below to find out what the current error is:

http://www.yarisworld.com/forums/sho...d=1#post557473

coffiend · 03-28-2014, 05:39 PM

Was just reading up on that thread to see how to test. Will try it in a couple hours.

I may need help deciphering the codes after I get them. Thanks, CTScott! Best dude ever.

coffiend · 03-30-2014, 07:29 PM

The code showed 51. I saw that you posted somewhere where all the codes meant, but I can't find it again, any help would be appreciated :)

CTScott · 03-30-2014, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coffiend

The code showed 51. I saw that you posted somewhere where all the codes meant, but I can't find it again, any help would be appreciated :)

51 is a short or open in the driver's side squib circuit, so either the cable from the spiral cable to the airbag got pinched or the spiral cable is damaged.

I would suggest popping off the airbag to take a look (disconnect the battery first).

If you have a multimeter I can walk you through checking where the problem is.

coffiend · 03-30-2014, 08:35 PM

Hopefully I'll find some time to be able to get to that this week. Will keep in touch. Thanks again!

coffiend · 04-05-2014, 10:55 AM

Hey Scott, I'll be pulling off my steering wheel here within the hour and was wondering if there was anything you could tell me that I should be looking for specifically and immediately.

Thanks!

CTScott · 04-05-2014, 11:34 AM

The main thing is visible damage to either of the airbag wires.

coffiend · 04-05-2014, 11:41 AM

They not looked okay to me. No signs of pinching or other ware.

coffiend · 04-05-2014, 11:42 AM

They both*

CTScott · 04-05-2014, 01:04 PM

OK. So you are almost definitely looking a a damaged clockspring.

To be sure you can unplug the airbag and measure continuity between the wires on the two airbag connectors and their matching colored wires on the steering column connector for the clockspring.

coffiend · 04-05-2014, 01:15 PM

So, to test black wire I'll put one lead on the airbag connector side and the other lead on the clockspring side to check for continuity? What settings do I use on the multimeter and what reading SHOULD I get?

I'm no good with wiring so sorry if that is a dumb question

coffiend · 04-05-2014, 01:19 PM

Also, the clock spring feels pretty loose and wobbly in there, is that normal?

CTScott · 04-05-2014, 01:34 PM

The clock spring does not have a solid feel to it.

You would put the meter in resistance (ohms) to check the wires out. Which end goes on which side doesn't matter for resistance. You will probably need some little pieces of wire or sewing pins to stick into the airbag connectors. On the other end the meter probe should be able to make contact with the metal connector pin where the wire enters the connector.

coffiend · 04-05-2014, 01:49 PM

I tried sticking pins into both sides to test it and got not continuity although I don't know if it's because the pins aren't making contact or if there is actually no continuity....

Not sure what to do at this point :(

CTScott · 04-05-2014, 04:26 PM

Got to make sure you are making contact. I would realistically only expect one wire to be open.

03-28-2014, 03:47 PM	#2
CTScott ULTIMATE View User's Garage Drives: 09 5dr LB, 2x 08 3dr LB Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: USA, CT Posts: 13,460	It is possible that whacking the steering wheel damaged something. The typical thing that fails though is the plastic isolators for the horn switch. And from the looks of yours one or more of those is crushed. Unfortunately you can't purchase replacements without purchasing the entire airbag assembly. That though would not cause the SRS light. More likely the hard hit to the steering wheel damaged the clockspring (spiral cable). To start with, follow my procedure in the thread below to find out what the current error is: http://www.yarisworld.com/forums/sho...d=1#post557473 __________________

03-28-2014, 05:39 PM	#3
coffiend View User's Garage Drives: 08 Black LB Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Omaha, NE Posts: 448	Was just reading up on that thread to see how to test. Will try it in a couple hours. I may need help deciphering the codes after I get them. Thanks, CTScott! Best dude ever. __________________

03-30-2014, 07:29 PM	#4
coffiend View User's Garage Drives: 08 Black LB Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Omaha, NE Posts: 448	The code showed 51. I saw that you posted somewhere where all the codes meant, but I can't find it again, any help would be appreciated :) __________________

03-30-2014, 08:35 PM	#6
coffiend View User's Garage Drives: 08 Black LB Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Omaha, NE Posts: 448	Hopefully I'll find some time to be able to get to that this week. Will keep in touch. Thanks again! __________________

04-05-2014, 10:55 AM	#7
coffiend View User's Garage Drives: 08 Black LB Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Omaha, NE Posts: 448	Hey Scott, I'll be pulling off my steering wheel here within the hour and was wondering if there was anything you could tell me that I should be looking for specifically and immediately. Thanks! __________________

04-05-2014, 11:34 AM	#8
CTScott ULTIMATE View User's Garage Drives: 09 5dr LB, 2x 08 3dr LB Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: USA, CT Posts: 13,460	The main thing is visible damage to either of the airbag wires. __________________

04-05-2014, 11:41 AM	#9
coffiend View User's Garage Drives: 08 Black LB Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Omaha, NE Posts: 448	They not looked okay to me. No signs of pinching or other ware. __________________

04-05-2014, 11:42 AM	#10
coffiend View User's Garage Drives: 08 Black LB Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Omaha, NE Posts: 448	They both* __________________

04-05-2014, 01:04 PM	#11
CTScott ULTIMATE View User's Garage Drives: 09 5dr LB, 2x 08 3dr LB Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: USA, CT Posts: 13,460	OK. So you are almost definitely looking a a damaged clockspring. To be sure you can unplug the airbag and measure continuity between the wires on the two airbag connectors and their matching colored wires on the steering column connector for the clockspring. __________________

04-05-2014, 01:15 PM	#12
coffiend View User's Garage Drives: 08 Black LB Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Omaha, NE Posts: 448	So, to test black wire I'll put one lead on the airbag connector side and the other lead on the clockspring side to check for continuity? What settings do I use on the multimeter and what reading SHOULD I get? I'm no good with wiring so sorry if that is a dumb question __________________

04-05-2014, 01:19 PM	#13
coffiend View User's Garage Drives: 08 Black LB Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Omaha, NE Posts: 448	Also, the clock spring feels pretty loose and wobbly in there, is that normal? __________________

04-05-2014, 01:34 PM	#14
CTScott ULTIMATE View User's Garage Drives: 09 5dr LB, 2x 08 3dr LB Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: USA, CT Posts: 13,460	The clock spring does not have a solid feel to it. You would put the meter in resistance (ohms) to check the wires out. Which end goes on which side doesn't matter for resistance. You will probably need some little pieces of wire or sewing pins to stick into the airbag connectors. On the other end the meter probe should be able to make contact with the metal connector pin where the wire enters the connector. __________________

04-05-2014, 01:49 PM	#15
coffiend View User's Garage Drives: 08 Black LB Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Omaha, NE Posts: 448	I tried sticking pins into both sides to test it and got not continuity although I don't know if it's because the pins aren't making contact or if there is actually no continuity.... Not sure what to do at this point :( __________________

04-05-2014, 04:26 PM	#16
CTScott ULTIMATE View User's Garage Drives: 09 5dr LB, 2x 08 3dr LB Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: USA, CT Posts: 13,460	Got to make sure you are making contact. I would realistically only expect one wire to be open. __________________

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Help! Airbag light issue	Astroman	DIY / Maintenance / Service	24	05-18-2019 12:35 PM
Fan Not Spinning Up, Random Airbag Light	drannonb	DIY / Maintenance / Service	12	10-23-2012 03:33 PM
How many forum posters does it take to change a light bulb?	silver_echo	Off-topic / Other Cars / Everything else Discussions	25	06-27-2011 01:50 AM
passenger airbag light problem (NOT stuck on)	ersheff	General Yaris / Vitz Discussion	3	10-12-2010 08:20 AM
LED'n it out (warning...big pics)	custom Lftback	Photo-Video-Media Gallery	9	05-24-2010 03:41 AM