Red Airbag light

My airbag light came on last week, and I did nothing to the car except turn the steering wheel to the far right with the key inserted (my car doesn't have smart key) and the ignition off. I turned the wheel far right to get at the Fr Rt ABS wire which was flopping around and all I had to do was zip tie it back into its metal sheath. I tried disconnecting the aux battery for 5 mins and reconnecting it, but the airbag light was still on. I Googled how to reset the airbag light and got this link for pullilng a yellow connector in the fuse box (under the steering wheel area) and shorting it out with a paperclip to reset the airbag light....I'm not trying it until I hear from the experts in this forum! The link says that yellow connector is the airbag power connector -- true or not?

 

After months of driving with no lights, my 2004 Prius red airbag light came on one day. Earlier that day, I had turned the steering wheel to the far right, to look at something behind the front right tire -- a rattling sound caused by the metal brake sensor sheath rubbing against the strut/spring. I bent it away from the strut as it should be from looking at my other Prius. The next time I drove the car, the red airbag light was on. I disconnected the 12v battery and reconnected it, and the light was off for a few days. Now, the airbag light is back on, and disconnecting/reconnecting the battery won't put it out.

Could turning the steering wheel with the key on but the engine off turn on the light?

I've read of ways to jump the DLC pins to reset the airbag lights on Camrys -- is there a way for 2004 Prius? Thanks to all!

 

Is this starting to be a problem in early Gen II's? My airbag light does turn on if I mess with the passenger side front seat. But if I play with it again, it turns off.

Anyone know if Toyota is looking into this?

 

I've posted replies 3x to this site but later I can't find them under "forum Search". Two questions about the airbag ligihts:
[1] Airbag light near middle of dash came on for no reason. (I was looking behind the front right tire at a loose ABS wire and turned the steering wheel hard right without powering up the ignition for power assist steering. Did that cause it?) Disconnecting aux battery and reconnecting it made light go out one time, but now it's back on. Anyone found a cure for the root cause? Loose wire under seat, etc.? I'd like to try fixing the root cause myself. Is there a way to read the code (scanner or not)?
[2] Passenger airbag ON/OFF light in the far right corner of the dash -- I don't see anything on my 2004 Prius. Do 2004 models have this light? If someone sits on the passenger seat, only the seatbelt light comes on. No airbag light, which my 2006 Prius has.

 

Note that the airbag (SRS) light can come on due to many different causes. The best way to diagnose it is to read the code(s) with a scantool that knows how to query the SRS. Note: You cannot clear SRS codes by disconnecting the battery.

I've seen the combination meter problem cause both the ABS and SRS lights to come on intermittently.

 

Prius4ed quote
[1] Airbag light near middle of dash came on for no reason. (I was looking behind the front right tire at a loose ABS wire and turned the steering wheel hard right without powering up the ignition for power assist steering. Did that cause it?) Disconnecting aux battery and reconnecting it made light go out one time, but now it's back on. Anyone found a cure for the root cause?

I saw your other question about the horn relay, related to your horn not working.
Perhaps the common cause is the spiral cable , turning the wheel would directly affect both the ABS light and also cause a lack of horn function by a broken spiral cable. I posted some pictures of my broken spiral cable (clock spring) .
PriusChat Forums - northwichita's Album: spiral cable / clock spring