Seat Belt Buzzer

[togadiver]

Can anyone tell me how to disable the seat belt buzzer for the 2008 Toyota Highlander?

[Flame Red]

Disabling some "features"

[nov0798]

Insert the buckle!

[togadiver]

Whatever Dad...

I wear my seatbelt, I just hate being told when to put it on. Just another example of the reason we have become a nanny state. Next thing you know they will require everyone in the car to wear a helmet.

[TrailDust]

togadiver,

In answer to your question, yes, it can be done, but your dealer has to do it through their own computer interface. Click here to see the Customizable Settings.

In order to alleviate the inevitable questions about legality, the following are U.S. Department of Transportation standards:

FMVSS No. 208 only requires a seat belt warning system for the driver’s seating position. There is no requirement for an audible or visual warning signal that applies to the front passenger seating positions. Therefore from a federal standpoint, there is no legal bar to the modification of the passenger seat warning system.

The attachment from the CFR (Code of Federal Regulations, the law when it comes to these things), said:

S7.3 (a) A seat belt assembly provided at the driver's seating position shall be equipped with a warning system that, at the option of the manufacturer, either—
(1) Activates a continuous or intermittent audible signal for a period of not less than 4 seconds and not more than 8 seconds and that activates a continuous or flashing warning light visible to the driver displaying the identifying symbol for the seat belt telltale shown in Table 2 of FMVSS 101 or, at the option of the manufacturer if permitted by FMVSS 101, displaying the words “Fasten Seat Belts” or “Fasten Belts”, for not less than 60 seconds (beginning when the vehicle ignition switch is moved to the “on” or the “start” position) when condition (b) exists simultaneously with condition (c) , or that
(2) Activates, for a period of not less than 4 seconds and not more than 8 seconds (beginning when the vehicle ignition switch is moved to the “on” or the “start” position), a continuous or flashing warning light visible to the driver, displaying the identifying symbol of the seat belt telltale shown in Table 2 of FMVSS 101 or, at the option of the manufacturer if permitted by FMVSS 101, displaying the words “Fasten Seat Belts” or “Fasten Belts”, when condition (b) exists, and a continuous or intermittent audible signal when condition (b) exists simultaneously with condition (c).
(b) The vehicle's ignition switch is moved to the “on” position or to the “start” position.
(c) The driver's lap belt is not in use, as determined, at the option of the manufacturer, either by the belt latch mechanism not being fastened, or by the belt not being extended at least 4 inches from its stowed position.

What is installed in today's vehicles my manufacturers are called "enhanced warning features" and can be legally deactivated. This is what the custom features posted allow the dealer to do. Given that we live in a litigious age, some dealers may balk at changing this setting. At any rate, if your dealer does turn off the two settings the vehicle will still be legally compliant with the legal requirement of sounding the buzzer for not less than 4 seconds and not more than 8 seconds if the drivers seat belt is not fastened.

[togadiver]

Can you just clip some wires or something?

[lets456]

Originally Posted by togadiver

Can you just clip some wires or something?

I know what you mean... us Americans are so stupid we have to be coaxed into wearing our seat belts (sarcasm). Anyway, I can tell you I have searched high and low there with NO easy solution like there was with my Explorer.

I do wear my seatbelt only because I saw what not wearing one did to a friend of mine 20 years ago. However, sometimes I drive 100' to a neighbor's and with clunky coat and a something of "weight" on the passenger side sets off the incessant dinging in like 20'. I'll keep searching for an easy fix but doubt there is one as it would have been posted by now.

[nov0798]

I assume the belt circuit is a normally open circuit, if so, then you can just short the two wires using a small piece of wire and wire taps, and youll never hear it again. Just do it under the seat.

[allanbradl]

Originally Posted by nov0798

I assume the belt circuit is a normally open circuit, if so, then you can just short the two wires using a small piece of wire and wire taps, and youll never hear it again. Just do it under the seat.

.

You should be careful advising this sort of stuff without testing it first, following your advise one might declare SRS fault due to percieved belt buckle switch mailfunction which is a part of SRS system, there are usually two switches per buckle , one NO and one NC monitoring integrity of the SRS circuit. Tampering with the seat belt buckle circuit today is possible only on some older or lower end cars. It was always easier to disable the chime in older cars because of complexity of the circuit - belive it or not. If somebody can upload the curcuit diagram file I can generate some valuale input on common issues related to electrical system. I use to be an automotive diagnostic tech, but since moved to industrial automation.

I wonder what is the difference between 2011 and prior gen 2 highlanders, also high on my agenda figuring out sudden mpg rating hike for 2011s.