93 Camry Airbag Problems

[atlanticbeach]

Airbag problems
I am new to the site and have a 93 Camry that has the airbag light staying on continuously. I took it to an independent shop and they said it threw out code 31 which was the airbag module. I then replaced the module with one from a salvage yard and now the light is still on. The only difference is now it has additional codes and the light stays on even with the car turned off. The additional codes are 11(airbag squib circuit or front sensor) 12 (open in both front airbag sensor circuit) 14 (open in squib circuit) and 31 (sensor module again).

So now I put the old airbag sensor back in the car and the light goes off when the car is turned off, but still comes on when running as before.

Anyone have any ideas as what to do? The shop said we should read the codes again and see if it is back to the original code of 31 for the module. This light has been on for over a year and I want to try and fix it without paying a fortune, but no one seems to really know much about the airbag except to tell you to go to the dealer.

What else could cause the light to come on and if it is the front sensors, why did the computer give out the code 31 to begin with? One more thing. I have read over and over the comments about resetting the codes, only to be confused and I can work on cars. Someone posted some Gibson site which did not work, and others are vague about the procedure and the year to which it applies. I would like a simple answer if someone has it.

This was put to General Forum but I figured someone could better help me here. Thanks.

[Gmann]

Hmmm......the only advice I can give you is that after ten years into production, it clearly states in your manual and on the sun visor, that you will need to take the car into toyota to "reset" the airbag light (every year I think). This is to ensure everything is working right. They charge you about 25 (CDN) don't know what that is U.S. However if your already aware of this then I'm sure someone else will be along shortly

[500KCamry]

The only trouble I had was with the air bag sitting in the passenger seat

[98CamryLE]

Originally Posted by Gmann

Hmmm......the only advice I can give you is that after ten years into production, it clearly states in your manual and on the sun visor, that you will need to take the car into toyota to "reset" the airbag light (every year I think).

I've never heard that the light has to be reset after ten years. I've heard that they put that notice above the visor and in the manual, just because when they started putting airbags in cars, they didn't know how they would hold up over time. (kind of releases them from any liability if something goes wrong after 10 years) I've heard this from my mechanic and dealer. But they are just 2 of the mechanics out of the zillions in this country...so take it for what it's worth.

[Gmann]

Well it might be a Canadian vs. U.S thing, cause all I can tell you is that I've had my Cam for seven years, and bingo in 2003 my airbag light went on......Took it to my mechanic who couldn't do much about it, finally went in to Toyota thinking I screwed myself somehow only to find out about that once a year "check" after ten years of production. They cleared it, and in 2004 at the same time as in 2003 it came back on.....

[Gmann]

Just checked my records....the first time it went off was in July 2002.....(production date for my 1992 Japanese Built Cam is July).......then same thing in 2003, 2004

[rusty9]

try resetting the system. use the search button. it will take you a few times but it should work if there are no real problems. my airbag light came on in my 92. code 22 (warning light system malfunction. silly because the light worked ) followed the reset procedure and all was well.

[Toysrme]

Gmann that's very incorrect


atlanticbeach do what their said. Reset the thing. (pull your negative battery cable for at least 30 seconds, who cares.... leave if off overnight)


If that doesn't clear it, go to a dealer.

[amerikim]

Make sure your ignition key is not in the switch when you play with the airbag.
Toysreme: Airbags don't always reset with a battery pull.
Atlantisme: do the search for reset, try the batt disconnect, but there could be a disconnected or worse, is there damage to your car that may have tripped a sensor?
Also, check the connections to the CPU for the airbag, that unit is under your armrest storage unit on center console.

[Toysrme]

amerikim pulling the EFI fuse won't reset the airbag. Thus the only way to do so without snipping wires is pulling the battery.
Not only that, but you can put your ECU into diagnostic mode, and check the ABS computer itself. (not in the normal mode... The secondary systems don't always show codes by just testing the CEL)

I forget how you do it in OBD-II cars, but in OBD-I you short TE2 and E1 to get into the "hyperactive" diag mode, then you can short the correct pins in the connector under the dash to test the airbag computer.



Sounds more complicated than it really is. Go read a repair manual for your car and it will go over how to do that in an OBD-II car.

[amerikim]

Oops, thought about it some more,
When the replacement airbag was put in, the system needed to be reset for the new bag. No matter what, the system needs to reset now anyways.

Did ya read this;
http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/t1505.html