Airbag Maintenance?

[vukos]

So I happened to notice the sticker that says the airbags must be inspected after ten years, and every two years after that. I've owned a 99 limited for about a year now and it was previously a one-owner vehicle. I don't think any airbag inspection was done ever.

Is this something I should be concerned about? What would be the best way to get such an inspection done?

Thanks

 

[TheDurk]

So I happened to notice the sticker that says the airbags must be inspected after ten years, and every two years after that. I've owned a 99 limited for about a year now and it was previously a one-owner vehicle. I don't think any airbag inspection was done ever.

Is this something I should be concerned about? What would be the best way to get such an inspection done?

Thanks

The FSM describes the inspection process.

Airbag light off? Check____

Bag covers tight, in place, no swelling? Check___

Seat belts work normally? Check____

You're done. What else do you think they could do?

 

[vukos]

The FSM describes the inspection process.

Airbag light off? Check____

Bag covers tight, in place, no swelling? Check___

Seat belts work normally? Check____

You're done. What else do you think they could do?

I wasn't sure if this included testing the collision sensors too. Is this something I should pay someone to do? I know working around airbags can be very iffy

 

[StreetCreeper]

Quickest way to check if they work properly is to hit something large, heavy and unyielding (no not my mother-in-law.)

Seriously though, I wondered the same thing a while back. Outside of what TheDurk already mentioned above, I didn't find anything else to do really other than just hope they work if I ever need them.

I've taken the driver side airbag out and inspected the whole thing along with the connections. All looked good to me but I'm no expert on the subject so I was just looking for obvious signs of age/damage or lose connections.

Basically I just consider my truck a "classic" vehicle that doesn't have airbags. Much like any vintage automobile from the 80s on back.

From all my travels in junk yards looking at 3rd gen 4Runners, most of the trucks I see with heavy front end damage usually have deployed airbags – but every now and then I'll see one where the airbags didn't deploy in what otherwise "appears" to be a collision that would warrant airbag deployment.

We roll the dice and take our chances I guess.

 

[repo]

Quickest way to check if they work properly is to hit something large, heavy and unyielding (no not my mother-in-law.)

Seriously though, I wondered the same thing a while back. Outside of what TheDurk already mentioned above, I didn't find anything else to do really other than just hope they work if I ever need them.

I've taken the driver side airbag out and inspected the whole thing along with the connections. All looked good to me but I'm no expert on the subject so I was just looking for obvious signs of age/damage or lose connections.

Basically I just consider my truck a "classic" vehicle that doesn't have airbags. Much like any vintage automobile from the 80s on back.

From all my travels in junk yards looking at 3rd gen 4Runners, most of the trucks I see with heavy front end damage usually have deployed airbags – but every now and then I'll see one where the airbags didn't deploy in what otherwise "appears" to be a collision that would warrant airbag deployment.

We roll the dice and take our chances I guess.

I read someplace the airbag connections use gold instead of copper so shouldn't corrode.

 

[jgue467]

I read someplace the airbag connections use gold instead of copper so shouldn't corrode.

Correct, plus our 3rd gems aren't part of the takata air bag nightmare.

My gf's 06 bmw took nearly 1 year to get the bag replaced (while waiting for the parts). :cowboy:

 

[gamefreakgc]

I wasn't sure if this included testing the collision sensors too. Is this something I should pay someone to do? I know working around airbags can be very iffy

Please don't mess with the sensors! If you accidentally apply voltage to the wire you run the chance of deploying your airbag and having to buy a new dash or steering wheel.

I have removed the airbags from 4Runners before, there's not much to the system at all really.

I read someplace the airbag connections use gold instead of copper so shouldn't corrode.

They do have very good connections, actually. The connectors are layered to not allow any debris in, and Toyota applied a liberal amount of grease to ensure water would not corrode the connector in any way. In all the airbags I've removed, I've never seen any hint of corrosion or damage. Hope this brings some peace of mind.

 

[ladywolf]

sorry for hacking the thread, but i've got an airbag light that intermittently goes on and off.

is it the seat sensor? Or does my 99 SR5 even have one?

 

[repo]

sorry for hacking the thread, but i've got an airbag light that intermittently goes on and off.

is it the seat sensor? Or does my 99 SR5 even have one?

You mean the cluster panel light while you're driving? You should have it checked out. The passenger one will light up (or turn off? can't remember) if you put anything mildly heavy on the seat it's normal, there's a weight sensor.

 

[TheDurk]

sorry for hacking the thread, but i've got an airbag light that intermittently goes on and off.

is it the seat sensor? Or does my 99 SR5 even have one?

Intermittent faults are a pain. I hate internet guesses, but my first thought is a failing spiral cable, aka clockspring. See if you can relate the light action to turning the steering wheel a certain direction or position. That would be a giveaway and upgrade this from a guess. So would horn or cruise control issues at the same time. Test your Cruise Control and horn if you never use them. Try horn next time light comes on. Although if it works, that does not rule out the clockspring. It just confirms it if it doesn't.

If that's it, then there's this:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/89398-how-install-clock-spring-k-spiral-cable.html

And yes, your '99 SR5 has one.

 

[ladywolf]

Intermittent faults are a pain. I hate internet guesses, but my first thought is a failing spiral cable, aka clockspring. See if you can relate the light action to turning the steering wheel a certain direction or position. That would be a giveaway and upgrade this from a guess. So would horn or cruise control issues at the same time. Test your Cruise Control and horn if you never use them. Try horn next time light comes on. Although if it works, that does not rule out the clockspring. It just confirms it if it doesn't.

If that's it, then there's this:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/89398-how-install-clock-spring-k-spiral-cable.html

And yes, your '99 SR5 has one.

I know both the cruise and my horn work. I've used them both. LOL. Yes, I'm talking about the intermittent airbag light. I'll see if it comes on if theres anything in my passenger seat and stays on. I've noticed that it will sometimes stay on even when someone is sitting in the passenger seat. Guess that'll be a trip to the stealership.