FIXED: AIRBAG Warning Light (Toyota)

WHAT?!?! Another TOYOTA?!?
The Airbag light on this t-rusty 2004 Tacoma 4x4 has been flashing for a few weeks.
Let's diagnose the problem and see if the repair will require any use of the parts cannon ;)
Enjoy!
Ivan

[@davidraezer5937]

Pretty cool you actually back probed the SRS module under power. However that’s very risky. The shorting bars are to ground out the inflated circuits so static discharge doesn’t deploy the bag or belt or curtain. The only way you should test these is to remove the inflator and install a calibrated resistor to check the harness. SRS modules are a high precision module and false DTC’s are rare. At least in all the years ive worked with them. You should give the viewer the disclaimer that testing a SRS system under power is done at your own risk. Good video as always Ivan.

[@45AMT]

My old 96 tacoma is still going strong. No frame rust thanks to it being here in the south all it's life. The 2.7 is solid. Great trucks.

[@paulrodriguez7121]

I changed my seat belt on my 2.7. 02 tacoma air bag light is blacking any body any idea to fix it

[@jackwood8307]

Sunday morning, hot coffee and a great video from Ivan. Life is good!

[@tinkerwest]

PHAD has become enemy no.1 for auto parts stores... ;)

[@mikechiodetti6737]

Very small currents run through those circuits, so any changes to the pins will turn on the light. Some of the fleet (L.A. D.W.P.) vehicles that worked way over on the West side near the ocean had a similar problem. Cleaning contacts, repairing grounds fixed the problem. Good Video.

[@heyitschinoable]

Mike Chiodetti Nice. Hey ive been to a couple of LA Dept of Water and Power. Servicing their Enterprise Rideshare vans that the employees carpool in. The recall was for replacing the Master Window Switch as it was a fire hazard. Some of those Chevy packer vans had another recall on top of that for the HVAC controls. Had to remove terminal insulators as that was a fire hazard as well. 🙄

[@mikechiodetti6737]

@@heyitschinoable I've been retired from the Main St Auto Shop since April 1, 2016. 29 years went fast. We used to have our own vans, but I think the Govt subsidy dried up, so the Dept went to rentals. The last group of rentals I rode in, (early 2016) had us taking tests frequently at work, and I'd you didn't take the test, or you failed it, you couldn't drive the van. WOW! That broke my heart. ( snicker, snicker) most of the rentals were pretty good. The ones with bench seats sucked! Tire replacement was a BIG PROBLEM! The company had us riding on almost bald tires from time to time. Well good luck, hope it all works out good for you!

[@billneu9520]

More great knowledge from the expert auto mechanic, engineer, inventor, developer, creator; master mind. Thanks Bill N

[@CubasAutomotive]

Ivan's favorite "no parts needed" fix. Must have some extraordinary luck!

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

The last few cars that have come in with electrical issues have all been "no parts needed". Well actually one of them did need new brake pads lol!

[@CubasAutomotive]

@@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics Does that really count?? Brakes being part of maintenance and not the repair of the electrical issue... haha. Nothing wrong with no parts needed, at the very least, it proves the failure point of a component.

[@richardcranium5839]

its that horseshoe up his as+

[@graymodeler]

Man that thing got a tape player! Top drawer.

[@DaveSender66]

A cup of good coffee and watching you fix something. It's a great start to the day!!!! Thanks for this post Ivan!!!! Did you prep the spot for new garage yet ?

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

I think if I clean up my existing one I could double the available floor space lol!

[@fieldsofomagh]

Tempremental connnections can cause a lot of intermittent problems but after 15 years, its not fatal. Good diagnosis and fix well verified.

[@jdtractorman7445]

One time I went to training for my dealership one of the guys in my class told an interesting story. A tech in the shop he worked in was working on an airbag system one day. One of the other techs snuck up beside the car and popped one of those brown paper grocery bags next to him, scared the crap out of him.

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

haha oh man life in the shop!

[@reecenewton3097]

@@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics I had to install a new turn signal switch on a Chevy Lumina I had some years ago. This involved removing the air bag assembly. You can bet I was sweating bullets taking that thing apart and gingerly carrying it as if it were nitroglycerin to get it out of the way. I read up on the procedure very carefully before starting.

[@arthurfricchione8119]

Ivan even though unplugging the connector fixed the problem wouldn't it of been better to disable the system unplug the connector and then plug it back in. It still would of fixed the problem safely. As an aircraft mechanic I would advise you to be aware of stray voltage and its dangers. Safety is more important than getting the job done fast. Just some advice from someone who has witnessed the results of stray voltage one explosive devices. You have good videos but play it safe.

[@SmittySmithsonite]

I wish every day was like this! Unplug, plug back in, FIXED! 😁 That will be a valuable waveform for someone down the road I'd imagine. Thanks for posting, Ivan! 👍👍

[@Paul1958R]

Ivan Thank you for another great video! Interesting that the L and R tensioners have such different signatures. God bless Paul

[@tepouogle969]

Hey mate, where online did you get the diagram chart? I'm trying to find one for my Holden commodore

[@kevinbyrne4538]

I was expecting that somehow one of the airbags would be triggered during the diagnosis, and then ... BOOM !

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

That would make for an epic video xD

[@tishachevalier6921]

thanks so much, cleaned the connectors and it is good to go, no more light! you're awesome!

[@CleanSC]

Ivan: I've seen this exact issue. Same truck, code, and good left squib. If it comes back, we'll talk.

[@dmcnamara9859]

Ivan: I don't see an email leaf...so it is this way....you might be entertained by your Red brothers in Saint Petersburg with their Channel "Swap Point" It's all/usually about diagnostics and swapping in Toyota 4pots,V6s/V8s into everything imaginable...yes their most famous swap/hot rod mod....slapping in the Toyota V8 in a Bentley coupe...it's got the Twin-Turbo treatment. Since it's your Native language,you won't have to call a friend (like I do sometimes) and try to figure out what they are trying to say or convey. Very sharp guys they are.

[@dmcnamara9859]

Ivan : Their latest and greatest project is swapping-in a Honda 3.5 V6 power-train in a lightweight late 1980s grand-voyager...out with the Mitsubishi 3.0. Ingenuity/Workmanship is phenomenal....seems like they have the playbook down on putting-in: Toyota 4 pots,In-line 6s, V6s and V8 in the GAZelle this and that. Installations are phenomenal to. Never knew one could purchase New injector nozzles instead of replacing faulty/clogged expensive Injectors.....Russians do what they have to do?.

[@2secondslater]

BTW. So many people are scared of airbag systems.... they should be if they don't have understanding of how the system works. Young apprentice of mine almost got a punch in the face from a steering wheel airbag when he went ahead without asking what to do or how. He activated the airbag while he was under the dash with a test light.

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

The test light is a powerful tool indeed!!

[@2secondslater]

Brown activation was positive, Vlad! Could smell it for the rest of the day.

[@rusty6666]

Wow a quick fix great job ivan its nice when u can find the problem in little time and repair it nice work.

[@wyattoneable]

Nice Ivan. See you at the TST event.

[@pauldavis5075]

Chrysler flowchart actually states unplug and plug back in and if no codes see if customer comes back...wow. In this situation to prevent a recurrence you can use stabilant 22 but it is so expensive. Yellow connectors are that color because in case of any loud sound someone's going to pee a little.

[@zx8401ztv]

I hope you charged him loads :) Hmm a computer measuring low resistances through crap cables and plugs. Pins crimped on to the wires and not soldered, nooooo it won't fail lol :-D I'm supprised that more don't fail.

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

I don't see this problem very often, but it does happen!

[@richardcranium5839]

i'm not real sure id call that a known good. that 2-6 volt just doesnt seem right when the other is 0-4 one would think the base would be 0 for both sides. you have a reverse sawtooth which is showing an r/c circuit charging and the other side i'm thinking should be a mirror, but instead the waveform looks like there may be a zeener diode working or a short in a charging cap. anyways the air bag controller is happy so ya cant fix whats not broken(at least to the point of lighting a warning lamp. further investigation may be warranted later

[@briankotze57]

They are definitely different. Normally you will find the pre tensioner will have a different part nr and when you interchange the tensioner from left to right you will get a fault code for it

[@davidmeyers3549]

Usually with electrical issues, the problem is small but finding it is the challenge.

[@DjSerolmp]

What website did you get the wiring diagram.

[@heyitschinoable]

Well done Ivan. Well done. 👍

[@billyyoder8171]

Thank you Ivan. Good job. Have a good week.

[@thomson4420]

where did you got the electronic diagram ?

[@inhocsigno9151]

The left and right side waveforms are inverted except the shorter signal might be caused by a poor ground. At least that's what it looks like. But nwt that the circuit is working...

[@jeremyanthony9300]

Excellent video Ivan.

[@kaptincrazy]

Glad I'm not the only one this happens too!

[@kdmq]

My buddy had an airbag light on an Audi and it was dropped change affecting the weight sensor for the seat so instead of spending $1000 to have the system fixed at the dealer he made $1.50 lol.

[@reecenewton3097]

LOL!

[@ozzstars_cars]

No soldering required. Haha Nice cheap fix Ivan, just the way we like it. Going to TST this March?

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

I'll do my est to get out there and make sure the Mystique is ready for the trip ;)

[@ozzstars_cars]

@@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics don't disappoint! 😉

[@knotnow9432]

We're you able to get the frame repaired buying it used I'm curious because I bought an 07 and I'm wanting to get the frame replaced under the factory replacement clause if possible

[@ericeiler7016]

Does this vehicle have weight senders in the seats that may change the signal to the module?

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

Take a look at the diagram. I did not see any. Just a manual airbag-off key switch for the passenger side.

[@canuckfixit7722]

This was cool. As others have stated, just unplug then plug back in and ....... fixed! If only other repairs were so dang simple. Now, with respect to the waveforms on your scope, I'm no expert but I noticed that once you overlaid both on the same screen and with the 180 degree phase shift and with the tiny difference in L and R resistance, it suggests that the SRS system is sending opposite signals to each side that should cancel each other out. When one side has at least a little more resistance than the other, there is a voltage spike that will throw a code. Is this the way it works?

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

Good question. That might be the case 👍

[@adamtrombino106]

Takata air bag go boom? lol just kidding. IDK how many times I've fixed these things with connection problems from spilled coffee, pop, etc that short out the wires. Seems like it's always a wiring problem! I'm old enough to have worked on these systems when they had gold plated terminals on them. I believe now they all use stainless steel. Either way, pin fitment and foreign material that could short a pin was and is an issue. I think you fixed it by simply unplugging it and plugging it back in, creating a better connection. Either way, I've never scoped 1 out before, so today I saw something new. Thx

[@amtpdb1]

My 04 f150 has a 33 code. The manual says to disconnect the battery before any testing of the airbag system. It seems you are not concerned you might set off an airbag?

[@frostfirei]

The Squib is the "explosive device", to deploy the airbag.

[@stupa55]

On my Rover 45 I have to plug/unplug the seat airbag connectors after each winter cause the Airbag light is on :-) the deoxidation spray lasts only for a year :-D From my experience most of the airbag codes are due to bad connections :-)

[@fire7765]

Well done.

[@memphisautodiagnostics4136]

Dr Ivan are we gonna see you cook another cold weather Russian recipe ?

[@SGDeGalvez]

Video suggestion: an 'All Data' review?

[@donnierobertson3088]

Good job

[@scuba422123]

they say never ohm out a pretensioner or bag the voltage of the meter can blow it off or a potential to....I don't know ive done it before too, its so little

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

Just another wive's tail haha I need some proof and numbers before I would believe that!!

[@carlossaenz4075]

So where does wire chart show three wirs or two wires . Explain

[@Thunderroad8517]

As always PHAD another great video. I would like to email you about an old 98 Corolla that has an air bag issue. Is this possible. Thanks for your time Sir.

[@snoopdogie187]

Now if only Nissan would step up to the plate and do a frame replacement on all of those 90s d21/wd21 frames that are rusted so bad they are useless. They were great little trucks that were unstoppable expect for this rust.

[@SuperVstech]

But... aren’t all airbag warnings covered forever by dealership?

[@MrZACATECANO100]

My light only flashes when truck is on.

[@shawnbauman5463]

Terminal fretting.

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

I thought only GM had that issue lol

[@kdautomotive1165]

Just curious undo you run your side work as a actual business (license permits taxes etc.) I'm really wanting to start increasing my amount of side work but conflicted on trying to run it as a legitimate business or under the table

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

Yup I run PHAD as a sole proprietorship, but am considering doing an LLC :)

[@timowallin8020]

YES 0,5Ohms is totaly too much but you shouldent messure it your self!!! your scantool should told you what the resistans are in different components on the pid. and then you unplug the problem part and add known resistor to see hows the wire and connection to the Airbag module and allso it should have diffrent codes for shorths and opens... PS Airbags work without car batterys normaly over ~15min(different models different times). So if for some reason your car loses power on drive and you crash it. Your car airbagsystem can still safe you... And that means your key of thing didnt make you more safe to work on them!

[@1984juant]

Hey ivan I have a couple of questions : do you do diagnostics and repair as full time job? Do you recommend it? I am interested in having some kind of training.

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

Auto diagnostics and repair is now my side gig, but somehow that makes it feel even more enjoyable...almost like I go on vacation every evening when I get back from my day job :D

[@nextlevelautorepair]

Unrelated question. How’s the battery life on the pro d10? My eems325 gives me 3-4 hours.

[@VoltageDropDiagnostics]

I get about 3-4 hours in my D10 as well.

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

Dang I need a new battery on mine....its about 1 hour, even less if the scope is on haha

[@VoltageDropDiagnostics]

Pine Hollow Auto Diagnostics i probably should have been more specific. I have a new battery, and get about 3-4 hours of idle time. I’m actually not 100% sure how long it will last while in constant use.

[@jesusmalagon4336]

Thanks 😊

[@sweetwilliam49]

Did someone unplug the instrument cluster and then turn the key on?

[@NoWr2Run]

My 97 Jeep has the same problem with the ABS sensors, no matter how much I clean them, dielectric grease on seals, one always comes back every year. What sucks is I don't know which sensor it is until I hit the right one ? Freggin electrical problems I HATE.

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

Your scanner should tell you which one it is!

[@arthurfricchione8119]

Ivan a quick question. By turning the key off does that ensure the airbag system is safe to work on or should the battery be disconnected? Just leary or say gunshy of messing with airbags. Great video though. Ivan, you have any decals for sale of PHD. ❤️️ Artie

[@jdtractorman7445]

The dealership training I got back in the day recommended to us to pull the airbag fuse, wait 10 minutes and disconnect connectors going to airbags. The significance of waiting 10 minutes assures you that the backup power supply in the airbag computer depletes itself. Disconnecting the actual airbag connectors was recommended to us as an added precaution because as they would tell us, "Hey, it's your neck in front of that airbag when you are working on it.

[@arthurfricchione8119]

@@jdtractorman7445 Heard that advice from quite a few techs. Disconnect the battery and wait ten minutes. Great advice. I don't want to meet the airbag 👍

[@BigDog50001]

Arthur Fricchione Disconnecting the battery is the safest way to deactivate an SRS system, turning off the key will not do it. Most Toyota training manuals warn to wait at least 90 seconds for the backup power in the SRS module to power down before unplugging or touching any part of the system. Waiting longer is even better, 10 minutes is an excellent rule of thumb for most systems.

[@arthurfricchione8119]

Dave I watched your video and would follow that rule. CV axle complete 👍

[@HUBBABUBBADOOPYDOOP]

Very poor connector type and location. Life saving device?

[@blackandyellowgarage7856]

Fixed is fixed.

[@AP9311]

That was weird diagnosis. You did something and it fixed itself....mmm, maybe the plug didn't make contact....?

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

FM = F'n Magic ;)

[@AP9311]

@@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics hahaha!!! Nice!!

[@jeremyanthony9300]

Ivan. Have you ever done a clutch on one of those trucks before

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

Yup I just did the clutch on this very truck a few months ago. Easiest clutch job ever!

[@jeremyanthony9300]

Now that truck is going to the dealer to get the frame replaced. Right?

[@bobsokoloski9559]

I'm sure you jinxed the timing belt, it happened to me.

[@MarzNet256]

It's doing an impersonation of CAN high and low.

[@mrb1864]

Mmm I can see no reason why they needed do different circuit integrity signal . Hope was as easy as that as with a free new frame the owner is on a roll lol .

[@robertevans6481]

My bet is the timing belt is going to go soon....great call on no parts Sunday.

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

Nah those Toyota belts are BEEFY!

[@defendermender4959]

TOYMOTA!

[@TheGibby3340]

Not sure I follow...Your demonstrating to the public that ringing out a squib circuit with a DVOM is safe or sensible? I have been a fan of yours for years Ivan, I know you surely know better. This is a litigious world...think twice.

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

Please explain with hard numbers and values how ringing out a squib circuit with a DVOM is NOT safe and sensible... I am all ears!

[@TheGibby3340]

@@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics So YOU defy the warning you will find in any manual or textbook on the issue. Then challenge ME on the numbers? Perhaps I am wrong minded here, but not sure I can recall anyone advocating the blatant disregard for this basic safety measure with respect to this subject. Guess you know better.

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

OK then how would you go about diagnosing this vehicle using a textbook?

[@TheGibby3340]

@@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics Again with the challenge...Dummy load, decade box dialed to spec. But lets be straight nothing I say is going to appease at this point because you feel offended by my original comment, which was echoed by many others.

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

Not offended at all. I just want people to back up their claims when they have another way of solving a problem. That way we all get to learn! So let's say you tear the car apart and plug in the decade box and do your test. If the problem was a poor terminal connection, you would have already disturbed the system and the results would be inconclusive at best?

[@jamesabbott8208]

What is a tumble control valve connector, replacing pcv valve on a 2013 Camry 2.5L

[@jamesabbott8208]

HELP

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

PCV on a 2013? Just leave it alone lol

[@jamesabbott8208]

@@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics I don't know about that it's got 165k on a

[@TheCowgirlNiamh]

No parts required ... ☺️

[@Mercmad]

Perhaps a rat living amongst all that crap everywhere in the cab ate the wiring?

[@bene3944]

My 04 Tacoma, airbag light has been on since I've had it..I wonder if i could be so lucky, to just unplug and replug the connectors..haha

[@lamarzimmermanmennonitefar5269]

99 tacoma, same thing

[@jeremyanthony9300]

is it v6 or 4cylinder

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

Legendary Toyota 3.4L V6. It purrs like new :)

[@ericcorse]

Another NPN video.

[@j.j.springer1099]

to make vehicle safer can you replace airbags with resistor? worse thing can happen someone hits you, bag deploys and you can't see where your going and a cliff , pier, truck head on shows up or school bus of kids.

[@sakatoheeb8922]

good day sirs

[@sakatoheeb8922]

please i get 2010 toyota corolla, on the airbag on instrument cluster and on airbag off on passenger side.

[@simeonpius5831]

Hello

[@kellyr9388]

Sending voltage down the line for the resistance checks to the pretensions can't be healthy

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

Quiz question: How much voltage does a multimeter send out on the leads when doing a resistance check? What is the maximum current flow?

[@richardcranium5839]

@@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics current flow will be dependant on the resistance being checked

[@richardcranium5839]

and resistance of zero would mathematically infer no current flow although we know better

[@kellyr9388]

The average resistance in most air bag modules is between 2 to 3 ohms. And from what I am to understand, my fluke 88 pushes 3 volts during continuity or resistance tests. I was taught to input a replacement value for the circuit being examined.

[@bobweiss8682]

Depends completely on the multimeter. You can test yours by connecting the ohmmeter you want to test across a voltmeter (which will give you the open circuit test voltage) and then across a milliammeter, which will give you the maximum available current. Check this on all resistance ranges, as it will vary with range. You were likely safe using a modern digital multimeter, but some of the older analog VOMs could source enough current that setting off the pretensioner would have been a possibility. @@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics

[@simeonpius5831]

Hello