Hey Gang, new 5th gen 4runner owner here (inherited my dads) and excited to read this post as the horn works on the left and right but not in the center. Ill try replacing the clock spring first. Just wanted to say thanks thats all!

Cheers,
-Brett

If the two horns sound, it is not the clock spring. Horns are wired in parallel after the clock spring. Save your money and your time.

I don't believe that 4Runners have a "center" horn; they only have two horns -- high an low tone. If you have a third horn it may be for an alarm, or the warning beeps when windows are open and you try locking the car.

No worries Brett - welcome to the forum! There are lots of great resources here.

I just started having this issue as well, and I have a 2015 Trail Premium. Dealer quoted me $1,300 to replace the clock spring assembly, but everything else on the steering wheel works just as others have detailed. Cruise, volume, phone buttons, arrows, etc all work flawlessly.

Does anyone have a step by step for the clock spring replacement? Only thing that makes me nervous is due to being around the airbag, but if it is simply disconnecting the battery and then replacing a part within the steering column that is no issue for me. Just would appreciate a little more guidance on the exact steps to know if this is something I want to undertake.

Thanks all!

He means when the steering wheel is turned left and right. From his explanation of the issue it is reasonable for him to try to replace the clock spring as a fix.

The problem with buying the genuine part is that it comes as an assembly with the steering angle sensor, which is the absurdly expensive part. Save the money and do it yourself. There are a number of guides on YouTube specifically for a 5th Gen 4Runner. I bought just the clock spring itself from Ebay and switched over the steering angle sensor which is very easy with a few plastic clips. If you have some basic tools you won't have an issue.

Regarding the airbag: Disconnect the battery and wait ~5mins and you will be fine. When you remove it, place it so that the airbag is facing upwards - so that if for whatever reason the airbag activates, it will activate up rather than the other way and become a projectile.

Ah, yes. I see now that I misinterpreted his description. Thanks for setting me straight.

Can you tell me where you bought it from on eBay...do you have a link, or can you confirm this is the right one?

eBay Link: Clock Spring Cable For 2010-2016 Toyota 4Runner Scion 84307-30090 Clockspring | eBay

Watched a few YouTube vids and seems pretty easy in reality.

That looks to be the right one yes, but I can't be 100% certain. I would also try to buy it from a reputable seller. I just tried to find the link for the one I used but unfortunately it says the listing has been removed.

Team - I haven't done anything yet to try and fix my horn issues I have been having as a result of what seems to be the clock spring.

Yesterday, as I was driving, nobody was near me so I just tapped the horn to see if it was still messing up. IT HONKED. Loud and proud, like nothing was wrong.

What would that indicate? I don't understand how it can go out, then come back if the clock spring is the issue.

Well, that's odd.. maybe there's a loose connection somewhere that is causing an intermittent connection?

Its most likely your clock spring / ribbon of wires in there failing but not yet fully failed. The ribbon wraps and unwraps every time you turn the wheel and it does wear. As it continues to wear out it gives intermittent horn at certain steering wheel angles. I found mine wheel had a bad ground when pointing straight and replacing the clock spring solved it.

Just my two cents but it is your main air bag and your safety on the line to save on a part you may have to replace once or twice in the life of the vehicle. Anyone who can budget OEM should go that route. BOL

Don't get me wrong, I definitely think there is a clock spring issue, but it is odd that the horn would honk again with the wheel back in the "straight" position. I diagnosed the clock spring issue previously by being able to honk with the wheel turned either direction, but wasn't honking while straight. No issues with any buttons on the wheel, no lights on the dash, etc. Now I'm curious if it could be the grounding wire at the bottom of the wheel (when apart) going kaput.

Definitely listening about the safety item, and I'm capable of the replacement (check my thread although admittedly I haven't done nearly as much as many on the forum), so it isn't an issue of expense for the basic replacement or cheaping out. Just very odd in the way it came back to life!

So I did this last week (switched out the clock spring) and it did not solve the problem. Still no horn sound. When I press my panic button the horns will activate as intended. Also after I reassembled the steering wheel, my dash lights up upon ignition to tell me that my multi terrain select is unavailable, and my steering wheel light illuminates as well.
I am in a 2012 TE.

Attached Images

 

Bump. Can anyone help shed light on this? Thanks!

Can you clear the dash lights / codes using an obd scan tool? or do they come right back?

Did you use totyota or aftermarket parts for the replacement?

Start by checking your ground on the steering wheel with a multimeter.