Toyota spiral cable replacement

If you have an airbag warning light that just won't go out with your Toyota vehicle then it's usually the spiral cable that needs to be replaced to solve this error. The spiral cable is simply a coil of wires in a doughnut shaped container that connects the airbag to the car's electronics and after about 100,000 km of driving, it sustains a crack in the wiring within it. This part can be tested by accessing the connection point that the yellow connector goes into, which can be seen in this video @6:43 . Using an ohm meter, check for continuity between pins 1 & 2 as well as checking for the same between pins 3 & 4.
Trouble shooting: If your air bag light does not go out after a 30 second test drive with the new part installed then 1st do the test described above, most likely the fault will be that those 2 yellow insets @4:47 in this video were not pressed in far enough. Other than that, you should check that the yellow 4 pin connector was firmly seated as well. And finally, did you have your front tires pointing straight ahead when you installed the device? If not then the extra rotation that your steering wheel would make in order to compensate for this mistake would tear your spiral cable's internal harness apart and thus destroy it.
Finally, if you don't feel confident with fixing this sort of thing then just spend the money that the mechanic wants to do the job for you. PS. most of my mumbling talk is of no value and you will not have lost any great bits of key information if you couldn't hear everything that I said.

[@greggerjuan1487]

Great video guide! I used it for my 2007 Avalon Touring that has one extra connector block and one less screw but I've got a bit of experience with car DIY. Saved time and money vs a dealer.

[@mden98]

Forgot to mention. My car is a 2004 Matrix, 5 speed. It was identical except screw on the bottom of the steering cover and my horn wire connected to the steering wheel not the Airbag cover. It took me less than 30 minutes. Thanks Again!

[@BenGifford]

Worked for my 2005 Corolla. Found the spiral cable part on ebay for $15 not expecting much, but it worked!

[@zoar541]

Good video,you made it look very simple,.The dealership wanted 750..00 for this job that took you about 10 minutes.

[@lboogiepl85]

Helpful video. Also works for sienna or pretty much any other Toyota. Just some flaws with his instructions. DISCONNECT THE NEGATIVE BATTERY CABLE. This guys lucky the air bag didn't deploy with that air bag being energized. Also it's a 27T torx bit, not 25T. Which is why in his video he had a damaged torx head and make shift tool to remove it.

[@BadDriversOfNapa]

What is it about this repair that can cause the air bag to deploy? I've seen these warnings all over the place about disconnecting the neg battery cable, but I don't understand what can trigger a deployment besides the air bag sensor inside the bumper being crushed upon an impact.

[@bobbyd1089]

Thanks! This helped me. Got it done in 30 mins

[@tornado4u2]

Thanks M8 dealer wanted $400.00 dollars plus chewing gum for this project. much obliged! and i did learn a lot with this, of course disconeting the battery is a must in case of!

[@JaseCJay]

For the love of God people disconnect the negative battery cable and leave it for 20 minutes to a half hour to discharge any charged capacitors.. I can't believe what I just saw! You sir are VERY lucky..consider as well the TAKATA inflators on those airbags!!!! Once that's done..start by taking the airbag assembly out...THEN take the steering column trim off!!!

[@MegaTeacherg]

You're 100 percent correct mate. Most airbag deaths happen not in an accident but in incorrect repair sequence. Hopefully your post might save someone pain or even there life.

[@MuhammadAkram-sl9jt]

Thanks a lot for sharing this information

[@jpalacios84]

Thanks, you Make it easy to see...

[@ProfessionalFixologist]

The process was nearly identical on my 2009 Prius, and replacing it with a $12 ebay spiral cable made my horn work again. Thanks for the helpful video!

[@janethcabrera8494]

dont you have to desconect the batery?? for security reazons ,please let me know

[@lincolnsixecho1947]

You are awesome! With this video you save me US$46.00 on the Toyota dealer bill (if I find the tools). Thanks for this Christmas gift!

[@ashfaqjuna]

$46?? That's very good value actually. If they can fix for that money go for it :)

[@MrDavestarr2001]

Brilliant video thank you... Have to ask though... should the battery not be disconnected incase of airbag deployment?

[@davidbantle7992]

Hello, when you get your brand new spiral cable does it come from the factory already positioned to install with your front tires facing forward isn't that why they have a clip you have to remove? Also my airbag light is fine but horn only works when steering wheel is turned to certain positions could that be something else? Thank you, Dave

[@nettejohnson3685]

I need help I replace my clock spring but now my horn want stop I think I bent the horn piece but idk..it only does it when I go to reconnect the horn..so I just took the relay horn fuse out

[@edmondkock6597]

i replace my toyota yaris clockspring because the horn was not working. but the airbag light wont go off. didnt have this problem before.

[@artvibral]

thnks you so much, where have you bot the new one ?

[@glenncarruthers3355]

I would suggest that the battery be disconnected before starting this procedure. You don’t want to short circuit the air bags. Could be a nasty surprise.

[@marlonvega1601]

PICing4fun, Thank you for this informative video. Every single step of the video worked like a champ! This airbag warning light was an automatic state inspection failure that I need to address immediately. For those that have similar error, the dealer wanted to charge me $150.00 just to scan the airbag system and on top of the they would required to hold the car for 2-3 days to see if they have the part in stock. The part number provided was exactly what I ordered in E-Bay : Brand New Spiral Cable Clock Spring for Toyota Highlander RAV4 Yaris 84306-22010 for under $12.00 and $6.00 for shipping! The entire installation took about 10-15 minutes after looking at the video and using the exact tools. Again, thank you for the video!

[@Drodloera]

You did everything right but weren’t safe ...should have disconnected the battery. But overall good video! I have to replace my spiral cable and this vid will help me do the job right thanks!

[@coolmtnman1]

if my horn still works, could it still be the clock sppring?

[@jonathanbartsch9728]

Thank you, that was helpful and to the point. :) Jonathan

[@stefanv5704]

Well my Toyota Yaris Horn isnt working either, i checked the horn and the relay they both function well. but can anyone tell me how this spiral cable can effect my Horn from working. Because in the video the horn wire is another one, instead of orange one. And does anyone know how i can test my horn to see if the problem is in the cable. To test the horn i should just connect but the blue wire to neutral right and then it should work?

[@Froggythegremlin]

what does the orange stem do?

[@user-ow7zj7rr1e]

I forgot to disconnect the battery on my 2005 Corolla and didn't have any problems. Dumb luck or overhyped danger?

[@dushshanthamadushan1078]

thanks for you

[@ramsanchez1671]

Same for a 2008 scion xb?

[@mohamadalkaiyat4493]

Thank you For this Video I had the same problem And they changed the spiral cable But after that I have the Airbag lights On all the time So What is your advice Should I read change it again Or only check the blue all plastic parts Airbag Thank you very much And I'm waiting for your reply

[@susanb9967]

+mohamad AL-kaiyat Keep on it until they fix it!!! It's a faulty air bag issue, recall letter or not.

[@MarkDonat]

How long does it take for the dash light to turn off? Mine is still on

[@marxx7648]

Same for a 2012 Tacoma ?

[@MrBluoct]

think I broke mine by letting wheel spinc 360 multiple times while checking half shaft that I un bolted i should have tied wheel -not just mark shaft and wheel column with marker once reassembled, airbag light popped on and horn stopped nice....

[@jacksonpalusi731]

Anthony Reyes your a Toyota tech, ok can you tell me why my horn does not work since toyota did my spiral cable, they tell me its going to cost me a new steering air bag bad, but my horn worked perfect before they touched it.and also noticed that the center of my steering pad is soft.

[@loocheech5686]

Jackson Palusi Same thing happened to me an hour ago. Toyota is the worst, can't wait to get rid of this car.

[@bobbiweiss4176]

The screw was damaged, because it's a T-30, NOT a T-25!

[@dakotabuck9155]

Do you run the risk of deploying the air bag by replacing this part?

[@williamgoboff1772]

you really should disconnect the battery first

[@kurojin97]

Thanks a million....I just got the airbag light code 53 on my 2005 corolla....and I heard this will fix that problem....I'm going to try this before I take it in to the dealership....

[@vibranthang13]

+Andrew H ...well, I didn't get a recall letter! I'll wait if I have to. It's too expensive. Thanks Andrew H!

[@jirojosephesman8175]

karen waters they supposed to send you a letter already...best regards

[@user-qf1of4st3y]

I have 2008 Camry , and it have same part (84306-22010) please add it.

[@7ARFisher]

My cruise control and horn are both not working... could this be a fix for those?

[@petef7340]

yes

[@bouras4227]

زر غلق دخول الهواء عندي مكسر اريد فيديو تفكيك ازرار المكيف ومدخل الهواء في تويوتا ياريس 2015 وشكرا

[@clintblackx]

You forgot to disconnect the battery. You don't want to risk having the airbag explode in your face.

[@cashmab]

+clintblackx Agree. I would disconnect the battery, take the airbag off the wheel first, then reconnect the battery so you can straighten your steering wheel as needed.

[@MrKakuaa]

NO NEED TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY. Air bag never explode that way. . Short circuit or close circuit only activate the air bag. Only SRS light remains “ ON” because computer recorded open circuit. It will go away in few minutes. Only sometime need to erase the false code set by the open circuit. Please don’t scared people without deep knowledge.

[@77vmr]

covered under recall

[@rahulganesh3392]

What is the cost of this bro

[@ubhai]

My toyota corolla 2005 was recall due to airbag issue (no light was on). I took it to dealer and they fixed. They said they fixed the airbag inflator module. After 5-6 months, I see airbag light on. Took it to the same dealer, same person and now he said I have to replace the spring cable and pay $621. What is the inflator module? Can it turn airbag sign on? Thanks for your help. Its a great video.

[@JaseCJay]

+Nazim Uddin Did the dealer tell you the Takata inflator they removed was quite literally a grenade?! The ammonium nitrate used to deploy your airbag destabilizes after years exposed to humidity!! The ammonium nitrate explodes with too much pressure, rupturing the metal container, sending shrapnel into the passenger compartment!!! BOTH YOUR AIRBAG INFLATORS ARE TAKATA!!! Most likely your clockspring was re-installed incorrectly, I would demand they cover it as an error on their part or they damaged it!

[@JaseCJay]

+JaseCJay If you never had a problem with your clock spring or "spring cable" before..then dollars to donuts they put it back in wrong! You CANNOT move the wheel an inch off dead straight when dealing with clock springs, if done improperly, every time you turn your steering wheel, in whichever one direction, that one direction will pull too hard on your clock spring and break it after a period of time, in your case 5-6 months..

[@ubhai]

+Hi JaseCJay, Thanks for your feedback. Appreciate for you opinion. So, based on your feedback, my understanding is that to change the inflator module, they have to uninstall and re-install the clock spring and while doing this they might have either re-install incorrectly or damaged it. Please, let me know if my understanding is wrong. Now how do I handle this situation- any idea? Dealer will not agree and will try to make money from it.

[@JaseCJay]

+Nazim Uddin when this guy is talking about the two garbage cans after he removed the wheel..that black disc is what your dealer is saying is broken..your's does not need to be removed to replace the inflator! If still in factory configuration after reinstall correctly the clock spring should not have broke

[@JaseCJay]

+JaseCJay it's too coincidental that it would break after they did anything on your steering column

[@ikramulhaqmalik7887]

Thanks but now the turn signal won't return to neutral how to fix

[@JaseCJay]

the spiral cable got off center..you may have to disassemble the spiral cable...

[@mameryjazz]

Question to everybody. what is the symptom of the failure of this part? I own 2005 sequoia. When steering gets to the point of resistance, it turns over like indefinitely. Also, operating the steering wheel has no effect on the wheels (they do not turn whatsoever). no horn either and off course, air bag light is on. I ordered a complete steering column and plan to tackle this ... a small help is always good lol

[@ProfessionalFixologist]

The Spiral cable has the wires for connections to all of your steering wheel controls, horn, and airbag. If the controls on your steering wheel or horn isn't working, or if you have an airbag light or airbag OBD code, these could all be caused by failure of the spiral cable. Granted, there are other reasons any of these could not be working.

[@mameryjazz]

+Kevin Deininger thank you Sir

[@shahradborhani773]

hay dude how about air bag fuse first

[@rfjgfude]

My dealer report shows "FOUND OPEN CIRCUIT CLOCK SPRING CABLE". I'm assuming it's the same problem. They want to charge me $650 USD for my 2003 Corolla.

[@susanb9967]

+rfjgfude They need to expand their recall.

[@moecharaf6454]

A faster way to do it would be to pull out the airbag first then the steering wheel.. after that your plastic cover behind the steering wheel will be all uncovered.. no need to turn the wheel around for each screw..

[@debroahpharo3680]

Momo I had this fixed at a dealership and now my steering wheel is not centered, any thoughts as to why. Thanks. It was ok when I brought it in

[@moecharaf6454]

Go back to your dealer let them recenter the steering wheel they instaled it on the shaft without marking its original position, thus its a tooth off.. what toyota is it a yaris or corolla?

[@moecharaf6454]

Debroah Pharo

[@79ramcharger79]

My spiral cable instructions say to center the wheel, then something about turning the wheel 2.5 turns from the left before installing it? Any help?

[@Joemonter13]

You turn the spiral cable not the steering wheel.

[@TraficCraiova]

For US Toyota makes this for free as service recall. Ask your dealer.

[@vibranthang13]

This is great! I have a bad spiral cable, so Toyota tells me....yep $650 also to do it. My horn does not work, and my airbag light is on. SO, is this a recall problem? It sure sounds like it. Please let me know. Thank you for the video

[@vibranthang13]

+Andrew H ...well, I didn't get a recall letter! I'll wait if I have to. It's too expensive. Thanks Andrew H!

[@vibranthang13]

+Andrew H ...well, I didn't get a recall letter! I'll wait if I have to. It's too expensive. Thanks Andrew H!

[@susanb9967]

+karen waters I just paid $500 for Toyota to replace a bad spiral cable in my 2004 Corolla. The air bag warning light was continuously on since 10/30/15 (from the bad spiral). However....my particular car was under the recall to replace the air bag. And coincidentally (hhmm), the faulty spiral cable is only covered under the 2009-2010 Corollas. You cannot tell me the same f**ck up in the 2009-10 spiral cable is not the exact same f**ck up in my 2004 Corolla. They have just set up the recall categories to limit only the 2009-10 Corollas' spiral cables to be replaced free of charge under the recall. THEY NEED TO EXPAND THEIR RECALL TO INCLUDE MORE COROLLAS UNDER THE SPIRAL CABLE RECALL (spiral cables are part of the air bag function). I believe I have the legal right to go back--if or when they expand said recall--and be reimbursed if they do include my model under an expanded recall for this particular air bag problem. I did get the air bag replaced free of charge because of the recall. It's the least they should do. Makes me mad! That damn spiral cable was part of the air bag f**ck up and I should not have to hawk up $500 to fix it. GGGGRRRRRRR They had the balls to charge $80 to run a simple test on the indicator light (air bag light) to tell them 'why it was on'. Can you believe that sh*t? I feel sorry for the mechanics. They are bombed with recalled Toyotas waiting for their air-bag-ostomies, free of charge. How'd ya like to be at that Christmas Party this year. ha ha ha I'm still researching all of this recall/air bag crap to gain knowledge and have intelligent arguments. You should check out Takata Manufacturing....the ones who produced the bogus air bags and sold them to Toyota in the first place. This is serious stuff.

[@susanb9967]

+karen waters If you aren't going to fix that problem you have, and it is a serious, potentially life threatening issue, then you should find out how to completely disconnect the air bag in the meantime. Take it very seriously.

[@susanb9967]

+karen waters Do not trust your car just because they didn't put it under any recall. They cannot be trusted. If it came from Toyota, be suspicious.

[@moecharaf6454]

Oh and disconecting the battery is way better than being stabbed by a screwdriver if the airbag blows up... trust me im a tech at a toyota dealer and i have seen that once.. not so pretty

[@irritablysavvy]

Momo Charaf If I don't have a warning light on do I really need to get this replaced? I received the recall letter but I've been putting it off for a couple months now...

[@Drodloera]

erratic_calm don’t put it off man.... Incase of an emergency u need your horn to work

[@proking5813]

Lmao my local dealer quoted me 800$

[@stanf7862]

It is funny how things go so easy for some. I tried this on a Toyota T100. I broke 3 finger and a wrist just trying to get the plugs undone. And yes I knew how they unplugged. They were all just stuck like a MF. My wheel did not just come off that easy as well.

[@Lo_B]

Wowwwww...I just paid several hundred in labor( 2.5 hours) at the dealership... when it took you no more than 15 minutes. Smh.

[@jorgemiguel3058]

J

[@anthonyreyes2044]

I'm a Toyota Tech. And you are so doing this all Wrong and your Safety is at risk.Very surprise the airbag didn't go off.

[@loocheech5686]

Anthony Reyes Cool, well Toyota service screwed up my horn, cruise control and didn't fix the airbag issue upon replacing my spiral cable. You work for a shady company.

[@mcs2431]

Dealer wants 700.00 for a toyota highlander

[@pwynnnorman]

Why God's name didn't you explain clearly when you switched from the first cable to the second? And what about the airbag! It could have gone off if the battery wasn't disconnected. It was confusing when you were actually replacing the part everybody is watching the video to understand! You said something like "this one" instead of saying "the new one"! And you made not one single mention of the electronics that can be involved. One of the most noticeable ways a person finds out that there's a problem is when lights go out in the dashboard! It's such a shame because I really appreciate it how simple you made the repair seem, especially since it costs so damn much to get such it fixed at a shop. DIY is certainly the way to go but not if your instructor is leaves out important information. Thanks, but, dang! Get someone too critique your videos next time. Everybody needs an editor.

[@rwatson2609]

Yea, I did do a pretty sloppy job on videos in those days. Not to say that I'm any better these days. It's actually quite hard to find a camera man that will frame the subject correctly, they either get to close to the subject so as to lose perspective or they are not pointing the camera at the subject of interest. Lol.