Center Console Removal - Airbag Danger?

[dbsoundman]

I have a 2000 4runner and I need to adjust my parking brake. In my Haynes manual it says I have to remove the center to access the adjusting bolt, but it also says to disconnect the battery before removing the console to avoid triggering the airbags. Is this really the case if I'm just removing the center console (the part that goes between the two seats, where the parking brake is)?

 

[98OzarksRunner]

I removed mine, seats, console, dash panels, never removed battery cable. In fact, I removed the front bumper, cut 5" off the frame, ground the ends of the frame smooth, welded on end plates, drilled holes in the frame, and pounded on the ARB bumper mounts with a 3# hammer. If the ignition is off I don't think it would trigger the airbags no matter what you did (maybe if you dropped the truck on its nose from 10' ). If I had thought about the airbags I might have removed the battery cable before installing the bumper (must have gotten lucky I guess).

 

[shadow247]

The airbags can deploy without a key on or even in the ignition. I have personally witnessed 2 different techs set off the airbags on a vehicle without any key. One was a Cadillac, the other a Nissan. It takes 30 seconds to disconnect the battery and costs 3000 bucks to replace the airbags in the 4runner. I leave the choice up to you.

 

[zgensler31]

Although its wise to just disconnect the battery, my previous t4r never set the bags off. It was parked on the street when a drunk hit it in the front right corner and shoved it backward 3-4' and up over a curb. I would hope a collision like that would set the bag off if someone was driving it so I'm thinking they'll only go off with the ignition on or some way of the truck knowing that someone is in the car. E

 

[audiness]

The airbags can deploy without a key on or even in the ignition. I have personally witnessed 2 different techs set off the airbags on a vehicle without any key. One was a Cadillac, the other a Nissan. It takes 30 seconds to disconnect the battery and costs 3000 bucks to replace the airbags in the 4runner. I leave the choice up to you.

^ wise advice!

 

[98OzarksRunner]

It takes 30 seconds to disconnect the battery and costs 3000 bucks to replace the airbags in the 4runner. I leave the choice up to you.

I agree, just to be safe.

 

[cj80cruiser]

I have a 2000 4runner and I need to adjust my parking brake. In my Haynes manual it says I have to remove the center to access the adjusting bolt, but it also says to disconnect the battery before removing the console to avoid triggering the airbags. Is this really the case if I'm just removing the center console (the part that goes between the two seats, where the parking brake is)?

I'm still trying to figure out how this would possibly set the airbags off or have anything to do with airbags.

 

[shadow247]

I'm still trying to figure out how this would possibly set the airbags off or have anything to do with airbags.

The airbàg control module is under the console. Disturbing it can cause the airbags to go off. I don't know why this is even a discussion, it literally takes 30 seconds to prevent disaster. Is it likely to go off, no, but tell that to the two guys who nearly crapped their pants because they didn't think.

 

[shootmymime]

oh stupid, (imo) with the 2000 its easy to adjust the cable,
1. open you center consol
2. pull up on the parking brake
3. stick your finger in the parking brake slot (ontop of the parking brake) and lift up and forward.


with that removed you can let down the parking brake and the adjustment screws are right there. i take mine apart all the time to get to my ipod when i want to update it. it all come apart in 2 seconds.

 

[dbsoundman]

Thanks everybody, after a small struggle trying to figure out how to get the console apart (and breaking a stupid plastic fitting in the process), I adjusted the brake with no problems. Now, of course, I still need to clean and probably resurface the rear brakes since they dragged for almost two weeks, but that's a project for another day...

 

[cj80cruiser]

The airbàg control module is under the console. Disturbing it can cause the airbags to go off. I don't know why this is even a discussion, it literally takes 30 seconds to prevent disaster. Is it likely to go off, no, but tell that to the two guys who nearly crapped their pants because they didn't think.

I was taking a few things off my parts truck the other day and happened to think of this thread. I didn't see crap under the center console. Must be a 99-02 thing :noidea:

 

[mattgold]

I was taking a few things off my parts truck the other day and happened to think of this thread. I didn't see crap under the center console. Must be a 99-02 thing :noidea:

VSC and Decel sensors are under the 99-02 center console.

No trace of an airbag module. It would be a very odd place for airbag sensors... What would a real world scenario look like? You bottom out, trigger the sensor then your airbags go off? Not likely.

:loco:

 

[Singtoe]

Why are you adjusting the parking brake cable? Did you replace it? If not, you need to adjust your drum adjusters.

If your rear brakes have too much parking brake pull on them, regular brakes will operate at half efficiency.

 

[Singtoe]

The airbàg control module is under the console. Disturbing it can cause the airbags to go off. I don't know why this is even a discussion, it literally takes 30 seconds to prevent disaster. Is it likely to go off, no, but tell that to the two guys who nearly crapped their pants because they didn't think.

The airbag ecm is on the trans hump behind the radio.

 

[TheDurk]

The airbag ecm is on the trans hump behind the radio.

This, although it is really BELOW the radio. If you are not going forward of the shifter/gear lever, I see no reason to disconnect the battery.

P.S. '99's don't have VSC or decel sensors. I think all that started in '01.

 

[hrt4me]

Why are you adjusting the parking brake cable? Did you replace it? If not, you need to adjust your drum adjusters.

If your rear brakes have too much parking brake pull on them, regular brakes will operate at half efficiency.

do you happen to have the FSM pages for this?

 

[JohnsD90]

do you happen to have the FSM pages for this?

Google "how to adjust drum brakes".