Airbags/Airbag Lights

[Geolander]

In my continued hunt for a 4runner, I managed to dig up a '97 SR5 4wd with only 120k miles. It test-drove fine - running maybe slightly rough, but it needs new spark plugs and I assume that this is most likely the cause - and I was all set to make an offer when I noticed that the airbag light wouldn't come on. The guy selling it is a mechanic, and he says that he's not really sure why it won't come on. He also says that his shop doesn't have the equipment to check the ACU (airbag control unit). It has a clean carfax (1 owner) and doesn't appear to have any front end damage.

He was originally asking $5800 (which I wasn't going to pay anyways), but because of the airbag question, I offered him $4600 - he said he'd think about it and asked what it would be worth to me if he was able to get the airbag light working properly again.

He won't take it to another mechanic to have that looked at.

My question is: how easy would it be for him to fool the airbag light into working properly even if the airbags are shot? They probably weren't deployed, but it's possible that they were stolen or that he pulled them to put on a customer's car.

And secondary to that, how much would it cost to replace the airbags if I do buy it and they turn out to be missing? I did some searching, but I couldn't find prices for 3rd gen airbags.

From reading around, it looks like the most likely culprit is simply a blown/misplaced fuse or a dead bulb, but better safe than sorry.

 

[Geolander]

Bump...45 views with no answers? Did I really stump you guys?

 

[JohnsD90]

First off the airbag light shouldnt be on second off you would notice the giant gap in the steeringnwheel where the airbag use to be, the airbag is the center section of the wheel where the horn is....

 

[Singtoe]

There is a Toyota disclaimer (on the sunvisor) that says the Airbag needs to be serviced after 10 years.

There is no service procedure in the FSM other then hooking a reader to it and see if any DTC codes pull up. Which by the way, if a DTC code was to come up, the airbag light would be on constantly. If you take it to a dealer to have it serviced, will it be good for another 10 years?

Maybe the airbag warning light is blown. Just replace it and see. Maybe the clock spring is bad and the air bag light was on for so long that it blown itself out.

The OP's Truck in question is a 97. 14 years old or 4 years past the Airbag service interval.

If you are wanting Airbags, you should look at getting a newer vehicle. As I would not rely on the fact that the air bag will go off on these older 4runners.

 

[Geolander]

First off the airbag light shouldnt be on second off you would notice the giant gap in the steeringnwheel where the airbag use to be, the airbag is the center section of the wheel where the horn is....

Sorry, should have clarified: the light isn't on, and it doesn't come on ever. According to the manual, it's supposed to come on for a couple seconds when you turn the key. It's one of seven things: dead bulb, bad wiring, removed bulb, bad fuse, removed fuse, bad ACU, or missing airbags. Two of those are no problem at all, two might be no problem or could lead to expensive repairs, one should be a fairly easy fix, but the other two are really expensive repairs. Obviously there isn't a huge hole in the steering wheel from it going off, or I wouldn't be asking the question.

There is a Toyota disclaimer (on the sunvisor) that says the Airbag needs to be serviced after 10 years.

There is no service procedure in the FSM other then hooking a reader to it and see if any DTC codes pull up. Which by the way, if a DTC code was to come up, the airbag light would be on constantly. If you take it to a dealer to have it serviced, will it be good for another 10 years?

Maybe the airbag warning light is blown. Just replace it and see. Maybe the clock spring is bad and the air bag light was on for so long that it blown itself out.

The OP's Truck in question is a 97. 14 years old or 4 years past the Airbag service interval.

If you are wanting Airbags, you should look at getting a newer vehicle. As I would not rely on the fact that the air bag will go off on these older 4runners.

Ok, thanks. Mostly what I'm worried about is that the light was on and the guy pulled it or blacked it out so that it wouldn't show. I haven't bought it yet, so I can't go tearing into the dash to check if the light is there. Normally I wouldn't be too worried about it, but the guy won't tell me anything about it (despite being the only owner - so he has to have some idea) and doesn't want to have someone check it out, which suggests that he's hiding something major.

Out of curiosity, could the airbag codes be checked with a normal OBD II code reader, or do you need one of the airbag-specific ones?

 

[dave_mcmillan]

Just deployed mine on my 98 while pulling a stump...they definately work even when you don't want them to. They are good for the life of the vehicle. The mechanic could have disabled the airbags for some reason. Check the dash cover for the passenger side if it has been deployed it should have a gap in the back of the cover.

If your unsure move on...it sounds like your getting into some shady dealing here...

 

[JohnsD90]

I wouldnt buy it, but there is no way you dont have airbags as you cannot remove them without deforming the piece they are held in.