Air bag light on at random, no codes

Just like the title says, I just started having issues with the airbag light coming on at random and it not turning off until I turn off the truck. I checked for codes both manually and using a Snap On Zeus scanner and there were no codes stored in both current and history codes on the scanner and manual retrieval resulted in no codes as well. Nothing has been messed with in the airbag system, and this just started happening yesterday.

Whatcha guys got? Bad spiral cable? I know they seem to be the Achilles heel of the airbag system on these trucks.

 

More information about your particular truck would be helpful. Any mods or recent work done? I’m not sure if your truck had it but if it has the passenger air bag on/off light is it functioning as you would normally see?

Anymore information you can give about your truck will be helpful

 

I don't know what else would be needed other than the basic stuff. Oh, about 113K on the clock.

No recent mods have been done other than a 2011 PCM swap, which is separate from the SRS control module. The truck has just been driven like it normally has.

 

The spiral cable is the weak point in the circuit and isn't really hard or too expensive to replace.

 

Will that cause a no codes situation though Jimmy? I'm sure it could but I'd like to get the reaffirmation before reinvesting my time into the spiral cable as I have before.

 

Ok lol

 

Most of the time with airbag lights I have found the problem to be with connection issues, particularly connectors for side airbags and such under the seats. Especially if you like to stuff crap under the seats like some people do. If the light comes on, just reach under the seats and wiggle any yellow connector you see, if the light goes out, your issue is with that connector. Although these issues do typically come with history codes present in the airbag module. Steering coil is another common area, but is also typically accompanied by codes.

 

Yeah it's just odd. I have never stuffed things under the seat before, and all connections appear secure. I might just have to try and read the code while the light is on. Because every time I turn the truck off the light goes away, ever since yesterday though the light trips on at random out of nowhere and won't go away until the truck is off.

Toyota sure knows how to piss me off too. The one thing I cantc stand are those stupid lights on the dash, SRS VSC ABS TPMS, and I've been fortunate enough to have to deal with all of them on at one point or another in the 113K miles of my ownership. Lucky me!

 

Did you try this method to get the code.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pxs9Vdk4mGw

 

Your Snap-On scanner can read codes from the airbag module right?

Airbag light on without a code would mean flaky wiring connection between the center airbag sensor and the gauge cluster, or flaky supply voltage to the center airbag sensor. Make sure your battery is good and the terminals are tight, then follow this service manual section.

 

I had an airbag light show up on my 2009 Silverado but there was no CEL code in the computer. My buddy had a

$139 Launch CRP123 V2.0 Elite OBD2 Scanner, 2025 Upgrade 4 Systems Scanner with 3 Reset, Oil, SAS, Throttle Reset, Full OBD2 Code Reader

Launch CRP123 Creader and it was able to read a couple of airbag codes that pointed to the driver's side sensor. I bought a new sensor and swapped it out and it cleared the light. I'm not sure if there is a specific scanner that needs to be able to read the Toyota airbag codes.

 

You won't get a code because every time you start the truck, the ECU does a continuity check on the SRS system. If the bag light stays off, it means the check passed.

If you get a bag light, it means a connector or sensor is showing incorrect continuity (ohms).

The continuity easily can return to normal between the last time you used the vehicle. (Yes it is that sensitive). so when you start the truck the next time, there may be no bag light after the dash light check.

Like said above, the spiral cable is the weak link.

The SRS does a system check Everytime the truck is started. If all components check out, the bag light turns off and stays off.

If there is an issue, the bag light stays on. This reason is to tell you to find out why the bag light is staying lit.

For example, if you do not put on your seatbelt when driving, the bag light will stay on. Click on the belt and the bag light goes off.

The nice thing about the SRS system (yes, I know that stands for suplimental restraint system and is redundant) is that if you correct the issue, the light goes off on it's own.

In addition, there is no way to clear an air bag light if there has been an actual collision causing a bag to deploy.*

* You can clear the SRS ECU after a collision and bag deployment if you remove the SRS ECU from the vehicle and have it sent out to be re flashed back to factory settings.

 

I have the feeling it is the spiral cable as well. I have had issues before with the horn not working which required I do a repin to an unused pin on the spiral cable to restore the horns operation. It wouldn't surprise me if there is further degradation of the spiral cable now that some time has passed.

 

Hint:

Don't make the same mistake I did chainging out my 1st ribbon cable.

If you do not have a steering wheel puller, do not improvise by using a slam hammer gear puller. ( Look it up )

I've got the puller attached to the steering wheel, I'm sitting in the driver seat and I start to attempt to remove the steering wheel...

I wake up with a bloody face and the steering wheel in the back seat...oh and a 8/10 head ache...

I'll let you figure out what happened...

 

I'm thinking your imagination is just fine and spot on.

 

That was the method I used to manually attempt to retrieve the codes. There were no flashes.

 

I've pulled a few steering wheels off in the past using the proper tools to know better than to attempt to remove them using a tool like that.

My dude... You must have a death wish. Or an addiction to pain.

 

I've seen the passenger occupant detection cause this.

Do the warning light work for the passenger seat? Does it turn off when you sit on the seat?