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Red Airbag Warning Light

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by johnjohnchu, Sep 27, 2016.

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  1. johnjohnchu

    johnjohnchu Active Member

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    The red airbag warning light started to come on and off since yesterday. It is mostly on all day today. Use of SRS enabled scantool shows the following error code:

    B1801 - Open in D squib circuit.

    All suggestions are greatly appreciated.
     
    #1 johnjohnchu, Sep 27, 2016
    Last edited: Sep 27, 2016
  2. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    Video on YouTube says to replace spiral cable.

    Has your car ever been in accident? I would try and reset the car first. Disconnect 12v few seconds
     
  3. johnjohnchu

    johnjohnchu Active Member

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    Had a few minor accidents, nothing recently, and nothing near the driver side. The warning light came right back on after code erase.

    Is the spiral cable easy to replace? By the way, I have also noticed that my steering wheel has not light up for a few years. I am pretty handy with car repair. However, I never had to work on steering wheel.
     
    #3 johnjohnchu, Sep 27, 2016
    Last edited: Sep 27, 2016
  4. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    If your airbag has deployed before, then the spiral cable is probably not original
     
  5. johnjohnchu

    johnjohnchu Active Member

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    The airbag has never been deployed before.
     
  6. andrewclaus

    andrewclaus Active Member

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    Usually the first function to fail on the steering wheel is the recirc button for the A/C, then the cruise control.

    There are good threads here on replacing the spiral cable, or clockspring. I did the job last year and it was surprisingly easy, as long as you're well-versed in SRS safety and have a few basic tools. If your car has VSC, there's a steering angle sensor that has to be transferred.
     
  7. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    My recirc doesn't work on my 05
     
  8. johnjohnchu

    johnjohnchu Active Member

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    Just checked. None of A/C functions on the steering wheel works. Cruise control is still OK.

    Never had to work on SRS before. So I do not know much about it. According to YouTube, 12v battery needs to be disconnected and removed airbag assembly should be placed facing up. Is there anything else regarding SRS safety?

    My car does have VSC.
     
  9. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    Removing 12v connection is it. Make sure you buy oem part or else you'll be doing this again.

    It's actually pretty easy
     
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  10. Priusyipee

    Priusyipee Active Member

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    Had this happen on and off with my '05 for years. Check the connection under the passenger seat and make sure that the connectors are firmly attached. After 3 re-starts, the light should disappear if a loose connector was the problem. An easy no cost fix. For me, has worked every time even though the connector seemed tight...
     
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  11. andrewclaus

    andrewclaus Active Member

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    Since the A/C controls don't work, it's most likely the clockspring. You got the safety stuff down--it's easy and obvious, but you never know who's clueless. You need a Torx driver to remove the airbag. I didn't need a puller for my wheel. Leave the nut on loose when you pop it--another obvious thing, but somehow I missed that one.

    Be sure you use your VIN when you order the new part. Different switch layouts are available for every year. I use this site.

    I used a cheap knock-off and it worked, but the pins were obviously inferior. Use the OEM part a) if you can afford it b) you don't ever want to do the job again, c) if you plan on keeping the car, and d) especially if you are concerned about SRS reliability.
     
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  12. johnjohnchu

    johnjohnchu Active Member

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    a) b) c) and d) listed in the previous post are all applicable here.

    Went to local Longo Toyota. They wanted $300 (inc. tax) for the part (84306-0E010). Installation is another $250 for 2 hours of work. Searched briefly online. Camelback Toyota is thus far the cheapest ($216, free shipping, no tax). Apparently many Toyota and Scion cars also use this particular part number over many years. Just wondering if local junk yards can also be an option. Is the part number marked on the part itself?

    Also is there anything I need to watch out for during the transfer of steering angle sensor? Any calibration involved after the replacement of the spiral cable and the transfer of steering angle sensor?

    All comments are greatly appreciated.
     
  13. exstudent

    exstudent Senior Member

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    1) The clocking spring is a consumable part: it has a finite lifespan. Once that lifespan has been reached, steering wheel buttons will no longer work reliably or at all.

    2) How frequently do you want to be doing this repair with eBay junk or a junkyard part that has a short lifespan left.

    3) How much is your life worth to you? READ this: Be careful of counterfeit Clocksprings / Spiral Cables sold online | PriusChat
     
  14. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    Buy the part from Camelback, it's the best option.

    The ones at junkyards are not worth it. You don't know if they are OEM parts and most of them are useless after airbag deployment.

    I've taken this steering wheel apart many times it's very straight forward. I use a X shape tire iron, it fits perfectly and provides good grip when you loosen and tighten the steering wheel.
     
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  15. andrewclaus

    andrewclaus Active Member

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    I didn't have any problems transferring the VSC sensor, just four or five plastic clips and don't rotate anything while it's off. It takes a few seconds. I was surprised it was even there--the tutorial I read initially didn't even mention it.

    The part number is on a sticker, as I recall.

    There's good information in #13 above to help you make your decision on how much to pay for it.

    For what it's worth, the truly important cable feature, the SRS, appeared to be of good quality on the cheap cable. The pins were full-sized and firm. There are dual redundant pins and wires, too. Please consider that I did not test them electrically, just compared visually. The pins on the other functions were obviously cheaper, and I had some issues getting them to align in the plugs, but the SRS looked fine.
     
  16. PapaWill

    PapaWill Member

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    Did you find it was the clock spring? I have NOT been able to erase this B1801 code with a new clock spring... Not sure where to go from here. Thank YOU!
     
  17. mr_guy_mann

    mr_guy_mann Senior Member

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    Well, you could look up and follow the diagnostic procedure in the service manual for code B1801. Short form is you (safely) remove the driver's airbag and (carefully so you don't damage the connector) connect the 2 wires at the steering wheel together and see if the ecu sets a B1800 (short circuit in driver's airbag squib circuit).

    If you don't get that code (ie, still only have a B1801), then move to the next connector that's closer to the ecu -this case the clockspring connector in the steering column- and repeat until you do get a short circuit code. Then the last section you "bypassed" was the source of the open.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
  18. PapaWill

    PapaWill Member

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    Thanks Guy! I noticed the airbag light on some time ago and thought that changing the clock spring would fix it, and it DID for about 15 minutes, then the airbag light came back on again... I thought maybe the airbag may be the culprit and tried a known good one. No change.

    I have AllData and I looked up the procedure for testing the code B1801 and I cannot for the life of me understand what the SST is referring to? Does this mean to use a jumper to short the orange terminal ( when disconnected from the airbag, of course) and see what codes I get? If I ONLY have B1801 then move on to the next connector and test that? I will have time tomorrow hopefully!

    http://www.alldatadiy.com/alldatadiy/DIY~V121154100~C43205~R0~OD~N/0/121547197/121913665/121914555/121914557/34853741/96340231/96340248/176614761/193205004
     
  19. PapaWill

    PapaWill Member

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    [​IMG]

    I now get that SST refers to Special Service Tool.... BUT I don't know what I need to do to replicate this. Do I just need a jumper or ? Thanks for any help!
     
    #19 PapaWill, Jan 20, 2022
    Last edited: Jan 20, 2022
  20. mr_guy_mann

    mr_guy_mann Senior Member

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    Yep, that particular SST just connects in place of the airbag and shorts the two wires together. If you are careful then a piece of small gauge wire with the ends stripped will usually work as well (just have to be careful that nothing you do damages the connector on the car).

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.