Any idea what this hanging cable might be?

[vukos]

Recently purchased a 99 Limited. After driving it around for a week, I noticed this cable hanging down. I'm not sure when it happened exactly but it is there and annoying as it catches on my feet sometimes.

It hangs under the driver-side steering column area. I can trace it going into the steering column area behind but can't see further than that.

Thoughts? Nothing appears to be broken electronically

 

[Stiles97]

Doesn't appear right off to be a factory connector. Possible aftermarket alarm/radio/sat radio connection. Hard telling without knowing where the other end ends up.

 

[UnderFire]

I've seen that type of cabling used on bass adjustment knobs for subwoofer amps, never seen it anywhere else in the car world. If your runner has an aftermarket stereo that may be where it came from.

Sent from my Z958 using Tapatalk

 

[JBurt]

Do you have anything that isn't working?

 

[SJC4Runner]

I think my Antenna for car alarm had a flat wire like that. I don't recall what the end looked like. If that wire goes up to the side and then up to the roof I would say that would probably be it, esp. considering there is a black push button just hanging there, which I suspect isn't plugged in to anything because the alarm probably got removed. If you just have the Toyota key fob, then that would probably add to the suspicion that it's an antenna wire.

 

[vukos]

I think my Antenna for car alarm had a flat wire like that. I don't recall what the end looked like. If that wire goes up to the side and then up to the roof I would say that would probably be it, esp. considering there is a black push button just hanging there, which I suspect isn't plugged in to anything because the alarm probably got removed. If you just have the Toyota key fob, then that would probably add to the suspicion that it's an antenna wire.

You might be on to something. That push button hanging down is apparently for some sort of aftermarket alarm, according to the dealer. He says if the alarm every goes off to push that to turn it off.

I do have just the Toyota key, no remotes. You think this is just the antenna for an aftermarket alarm remote I don't have?

 

[SJC4Runner]

Definitely if you have no remotes for an alarm and/or aftermarket alarm.

You should have 2 stock remotes that would control the stock alarm. I would figure out a way to remove the remotes from the stock alarm so someone can't just come up and open the truck up. Though I am not sure if this is possible.

You can get replacement remotes from Toyota (expensive) or on ebay for like 20 bucks. It's easy to program the remotes yourself, instructions on the web and youtube.

Alternatively, you could have the aftermarket alarm replaced. If you used the same type of alarm, might be able to do it pretty easy.

That black box that is down by the kickpanel might even be the brains to the aftermarket alarm. If it is, then all you would possibly have to do it hook the antenna back up to the brain and get some aftermarket remotes. Also you could follow the wiring for that black button and see what it connects to.

 

[SJC4Runner]

Oh, by the way, inserting the key into the door should turn off the stock alarm if you ever run into that problem.