SRS Air Bag Light Came On

[prophase]

Guys,

My wife's 05 rolla, just passed 65K, air bag light is illuminated near the guages lower left side. Nothing out of the ordinary happened to the car, it just came on a few days ago.

Sometimes the light stays off on startup and comes on a few minutes after driving and such.

Now, don't know if it's related but the check engine light also came on, the gas station she uses has a history of not tightening the fuel cap enough and had gotten that code a few times.

Checked the cap again, was not tight, few days later check engine light went off and now has come back up again.

Not sure if the two are related but I am on a super tight budget. I can have my local buddy check the codes for me but when it comes to the SRS light, I am not sure what to do.

It's easy to get ripped off here on LI.

Will the scan tool for the check engine light reveal the problem with the SRS light?

Any suggestions, I tried to find reset SRS light info but did not find anything exact other than the link below, don't trust it really to be honest.

http://www.ehow.com/how_7250228_rese...ht-toyota.html

Any suggestions or help would be appreciated.

Our two past corollas, 1986 5 door wagon and 2001 were rock solid, the 2005 has not been nearly as durable as our prior two.

[prophase]

Just wanted to add my local mechanic told me that the seat buckles going bad can cause this. Can someone confirm?

[mikered30]

I am a bit confused, is this the air bag light for the driver or passenger? Is it flashing or steady?

See if this applies to you: http://www.matrixowners.com/tsb/T-EL005-05.pdf

The code reader can read the CEL, but not the air bag code. You will need to go to the dealer to get the srs code checked or unless your buddy has a high end scanner or can jump the wires on the diagnostic port, only if he knows what he is doing. Codes could be related. The air bag system should not be taken lightly.

Did you check the connections under the seats? Never heard of a bad buckles tripping the light. Most of the the SRS codes come back as a bad clock spring, squib issue, pretensioner or short.

[prophase]

It's the light on the dash board below and to the left of the speedo, the one in the manual that says "take to dealer immediately" or something along those lines.

Got the check engine light checked on the way home, freaking P0741 torque converter, what the hell is that all about, ugh, we can't win lately.

I will check the connections under the seat tomorrow, anything specific to look for??

Thanks

[mikered30]

Originally Posted by prophase

It's the light on the dash board below and to the left of the speedo, the one in the manual that says "take to dealer immediately" or something along those lines.

Got the check engine light checked on the way home, freaking P0741 torque converter, what the hell is that all about, ugh, we can't win lately.

I will check the connections under the seat tomorrow, anything specific to look for??

Thanks

The codes do not appear to be related, although some good news is that your car is still under the emissions warranty and may apply to this tsb:

TSB number TC008-04

Title:
M.I.L. "ON" DTC P0741

Models:
'04 - '05 Corolla (1ZZ-FE)

November 22, 2004

Introduction

Some 2004 - 2005 model year Corolla vehicles may exhibit M.I.L. "ON" with DTC P0741 (Torque Converter Clutch Solenoid Performance). Production changes have occurred to correct this condition. Follow the repair procedure to address those vehicles that exhibit the condition.
NOTE :The repair procedure must be followed closely to assure that only the affected part is replaced, as multiple possible causes are listed.

Applicable Vehicles
^ 2004 - 2005 model year Corolla vehicles equipped with 1ZZ-FE engine produced BEFORE the Production Change Effective VIN shown below.

SO THAT MEANS BEFORE VIN # 1NXBR3#E#52369427



Production Change Information



Warranty Information

Applicable Warranty*:
R & R of the Speed Sensor, Transaxle, and Torque Converter Clutch Assembly are covered under the Toyota Powertrain Warranty. This warranty is in effect for 60 months or 60,000 miles, whichever occurs first, from the vehicle's in-service date.
R & R of the Engine Control Module is covered under the Toyota Federal Emissions Warranty. This warranty is in effect for 96 months or 80,000 miles, whichever occurs first, from the vehicle's in-service date.

* Warranty application is limited to correction of a problem based upon a customer's specific complaint.

Go to the dealer and ask for the tsb, give them you VIN and see what they say. I would be curious if they refuse to work on it with out fixing the air bag code first.

Also check this out: http://www.toyotapart.com/1ZZ-FE_ENG...SB-0378-08.pdf

Could be a code for a new ECU, which is getting recalled as you may know.

[prophase]

Thanks for the info, appreciate it, BUT, my wife's car just passed the 5 year mark and she also passed the 60K mark which we read was the warranty period for this issue, unless that was for the other parts like torque converter and such.

I will give the service advisor a call tomorrow to discuss the air bag light and DTC code and see what they say.

I will also check the vin tomorrow morning as well for good measure.

She has inspection coming up in january and if I can't afford the repairs, we are screwed either way, ugh.

Will keep ya posted after call tomorrow, let's hope the fact we bought it there and that toyota's rep has been tarnished a bit lately helps out.

I called toyota tonight, the lady at service said they don't even have the ECU's yet, is this true???

Now, being honest and all, we haven't change the tranny fluid yet, I assume I should get it done this weekend before more issues arise? My bad, knew it needed it for a while but between the two cars, it's tough keeping up with all the routine stuff to get changed, etc etc.

[mikered30]

Originally Posted by prophase

Thanks for the info, appreciate it, BUT, my wife's car just passed the 5 year mark and she also passed the 60K mark which we read was the warranty period for this issue, unless that was for the other parts like torque converter and such.

I will give the service advisor a call tomorrow to discuss the air bag light and DTC code and see what they say.

I will also check the vin tomorrow morning as well for good measure.

She has inspection coming up in january and if I can't afford the repairs, we are screwed either way, ugh.

Will keep ya posted after call tomorrow, let's hope the fact we bought it there and that toyota's rep has been tarnished a bit lately helps out.

I called toyota tonight, the lady at service said they don't even have the ECU's yet, is this true???

Now, being honest and all, we haven't change the tranny fluid yet, I assume I should get it done this weekend before more issues arise? My bad, knew it needed it for a while but between the two cars, it's tough keeping up with all the routine stuff to get changed, etc etc.

R & R of the Engine Control Module is covered under the Toyota Federal Emissions Warranty. This warranty is in effect for 96 months or 80,000 miles, whichever occurs first, from the vehicle's in-service date.

If it is the ecu you are ok, the ECUs should arrive soon and changing the fluid cant hurt, just do a drain and refill. Get the fluid from the dealer. It is likely you need a new ECU, and a drain and refill will just make the fluid look newer.

[prophase]

Originally Posted by mikered30

R & R of the Engine Control Module is covered under the Toyota Federal Emissions Warranty. This warranty is in effect for 96 months or 80,000 miles, whichever occurs first, from the vehicle's in-service date.

If it is the ecu you are ok, the ECUs should arrive soon and changing the fluid cant hurt, just do a drain and refill. Get the fluid from the dealer. It is likely you need a new ECU, and a drain and refill will just make the fluid look newer.

Keeping my fingers crossed it's the ECU, car drives fine other than the gas mileage being kinda crappy lately. No odd shifting or anything like that, it's an auto BTW.

Oh I forgot to mention, the check engine light comes on and off over the course of days, hoping that points more towards ECU. One day it's on for a while, then goes out, comes back on etc etc.

I was gonna go for full drain, new filter and refill since it's been 65K, I know this may sound bad, but I assume I should have done it sooner? (noob question I know, LOL)

With regards to the AIR BAG LIGHT, that I am more nervous about as if it's not something simple like loose wires and such, I read it can be an expense repair, like $400+ or something like that. Def don't want to get ripped off and it's something simple and they say it's one of the more expensive parts, living it NY, makes you leary about getting things fixed at the dealers.

[mikered30]

Originally Posted by prophase

Keeping my fingers crossed it's the ECU, car drives fine other than the gas mileage being kinda crappy lately. No odd shifting or anything like that, it's an auto BTW.

Oh I forgot to mention, the check engine light comes on and off over the course of days, hoping that points more towards ECU. One day it's on for a while, then goes out, comes back on etc etc.

I was gonna go for full drain, new filter and refill since it's been 65K, I know this may sound bad, but I assume I should have done it sooner? (noob question I know, LOL)

With regards to the AIR BAG LIGHT, that I am more nervous about as if it's not something simple like loose wires and such, I read it can be an expense repair, like $400+ or something like that. Def don't want to get ripped off and it's something simple and they say it's one of the more expensive parts, living it NY, makes you leary about getting things fixed at the dealers.

Dont do the filter unless you got some time, it can be a pain. It is more of a screen than a filter. A filter change is not necessary, so it will not get you much as far as the CEL being related to a tranny issue. You will need 4 qts of t-iv from the dealer, might want to pay in cash or buy it from a different dealer if you are concerned about shady dealers.

As far as changing the fluid, it is brown now, not cherry red. A drain and refill will help with the color change. If the fluid smells burnt, I would do another drain and refill after the first one, with about 50 miles in between changes before you take it in. Request the TSB I copied earlier and check the VIN.

The only thing you can do for an air bag issue is to check the connections and wires under the seat. Unless you know someone who can jump terminals and then count flashes, you are at the mercy of the dealer for air bag, ABS, and other non engine codes. Let us know if they demand the air bag issue to be taken care of first before they would even think of replacing the ecu.

If you are gutsy enough, here is the link on the jumper wire and air bag codes: How to reset Check engine and VSC warning lights

If you mess up, you could damage something electrical, so use with caution and you dont want to reset any codes at this point. Probably best to have the dealer look at it.

[prophase]

I was gonna do the screen with the change since my trusted FLUID change guy for fall/winter will be doing it. He's a straight shooter and during the cold months does all my fluid changes. Since he will have the car up on the lift, why not right.

The fluid change is purely for maintenance since I have put it off so long with no change since owning the car new. Why let it go any further.

I will def let you know if they try and skunk me on the air bag issue before the ECU issue.

I def will NOT try the jumper thing, both cars are dailys and can't afford any downtime really, sharing my car would be tough.

So, will keep you posted after the call tomorrow

Oh crapola, guess what, my wife digs out a letter from toyota about the ECM safety recall notice. It talks about solder points and cracks and such but never mentions the P0741 but I assume it's for the same thing. More info for when I call the dealer tomorrow. I assume since I got it, our car is part of the covered vehicles.

Thanks once again, A+ on the help

[mikered30]

Originally Posted by prophase

I was gonna do the screen with the change since my trusted FLUID change guy for fall/winter will be doing it. He's a straight shooter and during the cold months does all my fluid changes. Since he will have the car up on the lift, why not right.

The fluid change is purely for maintenance since I have put it off so long with no change since owning the car new. Why let it go any further.

I will def let you know if they try and skunk me on the air bag issue before the ECU issue.

I def will NOT try the jumper thing, both cars are dailys and can't afford any downtime really, sharing my car would be tough.

So, will keep you posted after the call tomorrow

Oh crapola, guess what, my wife digs out a letter from toyota about the ECM safety recall notice. It talks about solder points and cracks and such but never mentions the P0741 but I assume it's for the same thing. More info for when I call the dealer tomorrow. I assume since I got it, our car is part of the covered vehicles.

Thanks once again, A+ on the help

They may tell you to wait for the new revised ECU. If they make you wait, it is not the end of the world (as you claim no jerking or slipping), as in the end you are getting a new ECU, either this week or in a few weeks.

There is more than one code that can have toyota replace the ecu. http://www.toyotapart.com/1ZZ-FE_ENG...SB-0378-08.pdf

[prophase]

^^ I have no problem waiting as long as nothing goes wrong by then but who really knows with these types of things. I just find it very odd and the timing is uncanny that the check engine light air bag indicator near the guages go off within days of eachother.

But let see how it goes.....

[mikered30]

let us know what they say.

[prophase]

So I first called the dealership, they inform me they are waiting for the ECM's to come in and that it's best to have that changed first before looking into the air bag issue since they came on a few days apart.

They gave me an 800 number to call so I called that as well, here is where it gets interesting.

The gentleman advised that he was not aware of the P0741 code being related to the ECM issue nor the air bag light as well.

I advised him that since both warming lights came on out the same time(check engine and air bag light) it was very doubtful to have a torque converter issue at the same time as an air bag issue with no accidents and car taken care of. I also told him that if the ECM in my wife's car is faulty, maybe it's throwing codes due to the soldering issue, etc etc. He said anything is possible but doubtfull.

He advised to wait for the ECM to get changed and see what happens at that point.

Now if for some odd reason after the replacement ECM gets put in I still have the P0741 code and the air bag issue, I am in for problems as I won't have the $$ to fix either as both are kinda costly from my research, depending on the issues.

I find this a tad disturbing for a car with 65K and well taken care of. Our two older corollas were like tanks, especially the 86 5 door wagon, which we got well over 250K. Still ran fine but the body was rotting to crapola so she had to go (superb car at the time).

EDIT: so I called up the dealership again and spoke with a service advisor, he gave me a real hard time about all this and said I would first have to bring the car down to get diagnosed, which could cost me upwards of $200 or so depending how long it takes. I told him about the TSB, didn't seem to care about that, told him about the ECM, he tells me without diagnosing the car, he can' tell me if I need the ECM. I told him my car falls under the vin range, he didn't seem to care about that either. Typical NY dealership treatment. So I told him I will get back to him as I don't want to get ripped off, nor does anyone else.

So, I wait and see and hope nothing else comes up until then.

I have a feeling though, I will looking at some expensive repairs.

Thoughts, comments, etc?

Thanks.

[prophase]

So I have my appt for the 31st for the ECM recall. We also have a CEL light for the torque converter and an AIR BAG light on.

I am expecting them to pull all kinds of BS with me about the other issues but the guy on the ECM recall told me to tell them to do the ECU first then go from their since the other CEL's showed up same day.

Will update.