Everything forward on the steering wheel is non-functioning. This would include the horn, air bag, and cruise control. I'm assuming the air bag doesn't work, as the airbag light on the dash stays on. I have removed the column housing and checked the connections and relays and all seems okay. There are no fuses burned and the wiring appears intact throughout.

Has anyone seen this before? Is it a computer thing? I would hate to take this to a dealer and have them bug-hunt for 90.00 an hour.

Any help would be appreciated.

 

Might be the clock spring, but i'm just shooting out ideas. Pray it's not though cause the price tag on one is like $200+

 

Does sound like a clock spring problem. Is there any unusual noises when you turn the steering wheel?

FSM calls it a spiral cable:

http://www.ncttora.com/fsm/1996/SIL/...wpasc/comp.pdf

It shouldn't be too hard to replace if it needs it, but you need to follow some basic safety rules when dealing with airbags. #1 disconnect the battery for about 30 mins before disconnecting any airbag wiring. #2 treat the airbag like it might explode at anytime (don't let your kids play with it while you're working)

 

Hate to revive an old thread but did you ever figure out what the problem was? I was out wheeling this morning and the same thing happened. I just bought the 4Runner last week. I guess the work begins...

 

yes it was the spiral cable.....i bought one out of a parts truck from dallas

 

Sorry to re-revive an old thread. I bought my 4runner like this and just realized that the horn doesn't work. Is there anyway that I can prove this is the problem because I bought a 6 month warranty with it. Originally the dealer told me the cruise wouldn't work because the air bag light was on and I'm just thinking bull˟˟˟˟, but he was kind of right.. it sounds like the spiral cable is bad in mine because my airbag light stays on, my horn doesn't work, and neither does the cruise. what causes this part to go bad?