Starlet Airbag Removal

[Rico97]

Hi all,

I have a 97 Starlet with a deployed passenger airbag. The airbag cover is left cut open and I would like to remove it to do one of the following:

1. Replace the airbag and repair the cover, if I can source the airbag (I live in Jamaica)

2. Or just remove the airbag and cover then repair the underlying dash if possible.

3. Or the cheapest option, just repair the cover

Either way I need to know how to remove the airbag cover. Can anyone instruct me on how to do it myself? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

[bkftl]

Well usualy the airbag has 2 wires. Make sure to FIRST turn OFF UR battery, take it out of the car. Wait a minute, then U can service ur airbag.

U can checkout some junkyards for a replacement Airbag, but first i would checkout the reason it was deployed, u dont want to replace it and then have it deploy as soon as u put battery back in and turn key.

U can probly just get cover from any junkyard that has simular car. and stick it in.

If there is an AIRBAG sensor there, ur airbag sign will BLINK regardless, you might need to reset the computer with a hand held toyota computer. 97 means u have standart OBD2 or whatever its called computer, it can reset airbag for u. u can rent it or borrow it for a few minutes at most car repair places.

To be super cheap, i would simply remove any remainder of the old airbag, Get new cover, Try without anything in the wires. If airbag blinks red, try to cross wires togeather, Maybe that will stop it from blinking. if NOT, i would simply put a peace of BLACK electrical tape over that airbag bulb, so u dont see the annoying blinking red light. Then replace cover offcourse. U can even stick something inside like some FOAM or something if the cover bends in too eazy.

[Rico97]

Thanks for the quick reply bkftl. I'll try some junk yards when I get a chance.

Still don't know how to remove the cover though. Is it screwed on from underneath or is it just held by some clips? I tried prying around the edges, the sides lifted ok but I got some resistance from the front and back, so I left it for fear of destroying it further. Any idea how to get it off? Just the cover, not the airbag.

[bkftl]

Im not sure about tercel cover, I believe the COVER is attached permanently to the airbag. So there should be a screw or a retaining clip holding the bag in place. Its usualy behind the steering wheel, on the steering wheel.

I wouldnt try to replace the airbag, they are a bit tricky, i researched some more online,
if u dont install it right they might detonate in ur face, which is preaty scary

U can try to repair cover with some plastic. U might need to replace the Trigger for the airbag, wherever ur car got hit, which deployed the airbag. If u dont, ur new airbag might detonate

1. Disconnect the negative cable from the battery and wait about 5 mins.
2. At the bottom of the Steering wheel, pry up the retaining tabs and remove the access panel from underside of the air bag. Now you can get at the air bag connectors.
3. Remove the air bag connector and unplug it (it's tricky so make sure you remove it properly, don't force it)
4. Remove the right and left steering wheel covers (don't break the tabs)
5. Remove the 2 (4?) bolts that holds the air bag.
6. Air bag should come out pretty easy now, don't force it...

Heres some info i found online. Be careful!

[Rico97]

Thanks but just to clarify, I'm asking about the passenger side airbag cover in a 97 Starlet.

[bkftl]

Ah sorry i didnt see

There are generaly 2 types of Passenger airbag.

On both the cover is attached to the airbag, but the differance is.

Do u see any holes between the cover and the Console? If theres no gap or space between, means that the console is the airbag cover! U would need to replace whole console. But Ive mostly seen these kinds of airbag on the "NEW" cars, they do this as a means of making the console look better.

On older cars its usualy common for the airbag cover and airbag (which are usualy GLUED togeather) to be removeable. I would expect there to be a SCREW or something holding it. I would check behind the GLOVEBOX, on my tercel the glove box is held on by 4 screws. behind it theres a bunch of electronics and junk. There might be something that holds the airbag in. The cover probably snaps-on but the airbag must be held by something stronger, u wouldnt want it to fly out. So check for screws. You might even have a CLIP that hides the screw in the front, but thats usualy rare, it used to be like that on old cars, and was ugly so they stoped doing that.

If u cant find anything LOCALY, u can try Car-part.com and call junkyards all over the US, i had them ship me a part i realy needed for cheaper then getting it localy. U just give em a credit card number, they ship quite fast.

I hope some one else replies and gives their oppinion, Im not realy 100% sure on anything.