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Anyone use a knock off or used spiral cable (clock spring) for an airbag

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by austingreen, Aug 28, 2018.

  1. austingreen

    austingreen Senior Member

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    My airbag light went on. The dealer said it was the coil cable, but the part is way more expensive than I want to spend if I can avoid it (over $800 at the dealer). He said these things go bad in priuses, so he was recommending against used. I see I can get shipped a new toyota part for $577 but would like to go used or these cheap knock off parts if they work.

    I'm getting a bev in november, and expect to use the prius for back up and dirty dog duty for about a year, then get rid of it.
     
    #1 austingreen, Aug 28, 2018
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    a year seems to be about the chinese average, but it would still be a bit of a risk from what i have read.
    there is a thread here from one of the experts like texas hybrids or tampa hybrids warning against them, but i think for long term use.
    otoh, there areaways those who say they haven't had any problems, and would never pay the oem price.
     
    #2 bisco, Aug 28, 2018
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  3. Rebound

    Rebound Senior Member

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    Take one off of a wreck. Removing the steering wheel on a Prius is pretty easy; I’ve done it.

    I found a wreck of a premium Prius model, which has the leather steering wheel. Swapping it out was pretty easy.
     
    #3 Rebound, Aug 28, 2018
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  4. austingreen

    austingreen Senior Member

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    That was my original intention, but was worried about used after the guy in the toyota shop said they go bad on a lot of prii. I think I will try it though. They have had the same spiral cable through 2015, so I can probably get a newer one. Shop by me said it would take them 1.6 hours, and I think the tough part is getting the used one marked so that steering is aligned correctly when it goes in the car.
     
    #4 austingreen, Aug 28, 2018
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  5. Rebound

    Rebound Senior Member

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    Anybody else on PriusChat reporting a failure one one?
     
    #5 Rebound, Aug 28, 2018
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  6. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i haven't seen too many gen 3's iirc.
     
    #6 bisco, Aug 28, 2018
  7. austingreen

    austingreen Senior Member

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    From the lack of responses, I'm thinking the problem was more with the gen II than the gen III. When I get back from my trip I'm going to try to buy a good used one. I may follow rebounds advice and get the used premium steering wheel while I'm at it ;-)
     
    #7 austingreen, Aug 29, 2018
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