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Airbag light on?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by HDuncan, Apr 13, 2015.

  1. HDuncan

    HDuncan Member

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    Just bought a new 2006 prius and the airbag light is stuck on. Previous owner says it was caused when he installed a new clockspring and broke it by overturning the wheel. He didnt have the computer needed to clear the code, and says the airbag light wont go away until the code is cleared with an SRS scanner.

    Is there a way to ensure the clockspring/spiral wire/airbag are installed and operational, and to clear this airbag light?

    Thanks!
     
  2. Britprius

    Britprius Senior Member

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    The cheapest way, and a way of avoiding trips to the dealer to read any future codes is to buy a Mini VCI with Techstream software from Ebay (about $30). This with an old preferably Windows XP laptop will be capable of clearing and reading any Toyota, Lexus, and Scion codes as well as all service tasks.
    This will not only clear the codes, but it will inform you if the problems still exist.

    John (Britprius)
     
  3. TampaPrius.com

    TampaPrius.com Active Member

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    Check every button on the steering wheel and horn operation. Turn the wheel from stop to stop and make sure it moves freely. You will still need a mini VCI or comparable code reader to see what code is current and if it can be cleared or there is still a problem.
     
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  4. HDuncan

    HDuncan Member

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    Will this work?
     
  5. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    Yes, that is what I bought. The price is a bit lower compared to when I bought my unit.
     
  6. HDuncan

    HDuncan Member

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    Ok, I think I'll order the scanner..

    In the mean time I tried to use the DTC clearing technique you mentioned on another thread about airbag lights.. I couldn't get my airbag light to flash but other lights would.

    Here's the light, it's just solid everyday:
    image.jpg


    Here's the jumper I made out of solder:
    image.jpg


    And here are the three Amber lights that were flashing, but the airbag light remained solid:
    image.jpg
     
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  7. Texas Hybrid Batteries

    Texas Hybrid Batteries Senior Member

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    If your seats are airbag equipped (they will have SRS tags sewn into them) make sure that the yellow plugs under the seats are securely connected. If it is a connection issue the light will clear on it's own when you fix the problem. I had this issue because I replaced the seats in an 05' but the new seats did not have airbags so there were none to plug in.
     
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  8. HDuncan

    HDuncan Member

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    I checked and unfortunately all is well
    Under the seat :(
     
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  9. HDuncan

    HDuncan Member

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    So, I'm sitting here with a laptop I borrowed from a friend because the text stream cable only seems to work on windows 32 bit machines. As I'm installing the driver, antivirus is going nuts..

    I whisper gently to the laptop "trust me, it will all be over soon"

    I've installed, uninstalled, reinstalled the driver, software, and have plugged in the cable to every USB port I can find.

    I keep getting "error, unable to connect to the VIM".

    I've tried version 7, version 10... nothing works.

    Any ideas?
     
  10. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    Maybe your anti virus needs to be disabled when you install the driver and program.
     
  11. HDuncan

    HDuncan Member

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    I just uninstalled AVG.

    Restarted

    Installed tech stream 10

    Installed TIS key

    Installed mvci driver

    Restarted

    Plugged in cable to car

    Pressed power button on car twice without brake

    Plugged vci into laptop - recognized as serial converter

    Opened techstream

    Clicked "connect to vehicle"

    Says "initializing usb communication"

    Throws up application error

    Close techstream

    Reopen techstream

    Click connect to vehicle

    Initializing USB comm

    Error "unable to connect to VIM"

    Change Configuration to : North America, English, "111" in all reg fields, hit Ok

    Click connect to vehicle

    Initializing USB Comm..

    "Connecting to vehicle"

    That window just vanishes.

    Program unresponsive

    Ctrl alt del kill techstream


    Reopen techstream

    Run cable Check

    Program unresponsive

    kill/reopen

    Techstream won't open

    Restart

    Open techstream

    Connect

    Initializing usb

    Some kind of memory error

    cry and eat sandwich

    Try generic odbII

    initializing usb

    Memory error

    Configure change back to 'Murica

    Generic ODB II

    INITIALIZING USB

    MEMORY ERROR (always mention main menu .exe)

    Don't care

    close program

    Reopen

    Won't open.

    homicidal thoughts

    Restart

    Debating whether to end my life or another sandwich.
     
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  12. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    This is odd, I didn't have any issues with the 2 that I Did. I didn't have antivirus and I installed driver first, then program.

    I wonder if your cable is bad or obd is messed up

    Try connecting to your other prius
     
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  13. HDuncan

    HDuncan Member

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    Tried on other Prius and got similar runtime error

    Installing older version of techstream
     
  14. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    Your car has to be on where the dash lights up, Windows roll up
     
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  15. HDuncan

    HDuncan Member

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    It is, I press power twice so there are ABS VSC check engine lights on dash, windows work, but no engine activity because I didn't press brakes

    Is that correct?
     
  16. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    Yeah that is correct. So it's a program driver error or cable error
     
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  17. HDuncan

    HDuncan Member

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    Uninstalled and reinstalled driver from a different .exe.....

    Same issue.

    Going to find a different computer to infect.
     
  18. exstudent

    exstudent Senior Member

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  19. HDuncan

    HDuncan Member

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  20. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    Just think, you'll be a Toyota (Prius) expert by the time you're done with this thing.
     
    HDuncan likes this.