Polarisman

Hello all,

I was being stupid the other day and powered the car up with the steering wheel air bag disconnected. Naturally, with everything in place the following day, the SRS light came on, and has yet to reset with multiple ignition events.

I've been told about a paperclip trick within which you jump a couple pins within the obd2 port or pins to ground with a specific timing and sequence and it'll reset the light. I've searched around a bit and haven't had any luck tracking it down.

Any suggestions or links would be much appreciated.

Thanks!

DshngDaryl

I have never heard of the SRS light being reset by a paperclip. I have heard of it being done on other models of Toyota.

In your case I think a battery disconnect will solve your issue. (or if you have access to Techstream, that will for sure solve your issue)

If you had an actual accident with an Airbag deployment, that is considered a "Hard Fault" which requires sending your module in for reset.

A disconnected airbag is USUALLY not considered a hard fault and should go away when you disconnect your battery for 10 minutes

Polarisman

Daryl,

In this instance, there was no accident. I removed the air bag and steering wheel to install paddle shifters, and turned the key on to test them out before reinstalling the airbag. The battery was originally disconnected before removing but I definitely created this issue. Pulling the battery afterward did not fix. I don't have access to tech stream, but I'll ask around. Just looking for a Toyota/Lexus obd2 friendly SRS clip trick and coming up pretty empty. I'll try the ones I found as they all involve the same pins, just different combinations of timing for grounding the wires.

Matt

SGB4570

So unrelated to the OP. I have my SRS light come on intermittently and I do have Techstream (although a little afraid to use it for fear of screwing something up worse) So what do I need to do to work on the SRS light with Techstream?

DshngDaryl

You have to scan the SRS system and look for a stored code.

Most likely in your case it is a bad clockspring.

if the scan doesn't show anything, then you probably want to start your own post so people will chime in and you will get a larger spectrum of viewpoints.

SGB4570

And why do you think the Clockspring? And is that hard to replace? ALL my steering wheel controls work. 2 lights on dash, SRS and self leveling lights, and both random, sometimes on, sometimes not.

DshngDaryl

Scan your car and give us the code

SGB4570

I'll have a look when I get a chance.

Polarisman

Bad news all, I finally got the trick down and it gave me a code 51--but I noticed my steering wheel controls and horn didn't work (pretty sure the cruise controls weren't either, but I was parked when messing around with all of this). I got the horn to work on panic mode with the key fob, so I knew it wasn't the horn fuse. Clock spring. I took the assembly apart after only a couple of the wires had continuity, and the ribbon cables had so many broken fingers they practically fell out.

Oh well.

iolmaster

iTrader: (1)

So replace the clock spring. Easy fix.

DshngDaryl

If you go with an aftermarket clockspring, they are pretty cheap, just make sure you get the right one for your year of car (later models have two stage airbags)


Of course, you are dealing with something that could save your life, so you may want to go OEM. My guess is though, a cheap working clockspring is better than a non functioning one with broken wires in it.

Polarisman

Yeah, normally I would do that but in this case I'll pass. I found OEM Toyota ones on eBay from the Middle East for ~$175 shipped. Half price or less than the US and my buddy that works at Toyota says they're legit... They have so much purchase power out there they just bypass Toyota and buy direct from the manufacturer, then function as a distributor on eBay and other auction sites.