Horn not working (sometimes) - Replacing spiral cable / clock spring

[FerrisBueller]

Horn doesn't work on my 2012 when pressing the steering wheel. Debugged and quickly arrived at the culprit:

• Horn works when I use the buttons on the key fob, so the horns and their connections are fine.
• Horn works when the steering wheel is turned far to the left but not in any other position, so the fuse and relay are fine.

That means the problem is the spiral cable within the steering wheel. This carries the electrical wiring for everything in/on the steering wheel.

For steering wheels with audio control, the part number is 84306-0E010.
For steering wheels without audio control, the part number is 84306-04080 (costs almost $100 less).

Lucky for me I discovered this today while the 4th of July 20% of sale was still in effect (I ordered from Serra Toyota).

 

[rcansley]

Always love a well timed sale!

I dealt with this in my '13 Taco. It was relatively straightforward to replace and I got the necessary wheel puller from Harbor Freight.

The instructions on tacoma world were helpful, too. You'll be back honkin' at folks in no time!

 

[FerrisBueller]

Always love a well timed sale!

I dealt with this in my '13 Taco. It was relatively straightforward to replace and I got the necessary wheel puller from Harbor Freight.

The instructions on tacoma world were helpful, too. You'll be back honkin' at folks in no time!

I was so sad when I found out I couldn't honk - someone was holding a sign at Rudy's BBQ that said "Honk if you love America". Tried honking, didn't work, waved and shrugged in shame as I drove past the guy

 

[FerrisBueller]

Here's my write-up for replacing the spiral cable / clock spring. It took less than hour to complete - from gathering tools until done and putting them away.

The generally agreed-upon advice is that you disconnect your battery before working on anything that involves the airbag assembly. So you may as well start this off by disconnecting your battery.

Turn the steering wheel right and left to expose and remove the two screws holding the bottom plastic cover. Then remove the bottom plastic cover by pulling down on the left side until it pops apart, then leverage it away:

Next, remove the two access panels on either side of the steering wheel. To do this, use a trim removal tool to gently push on the edge closest to the seat, and they'll pop right out:

Disconnect the 4 cables underneath and behind the steering wheel. The yellow connector requires (1) using a small screwdriver to push the little knob upwards toward the steering column, and then (2) using your finger to push the little middle ledge in the same direction that the connector is removed. It sounds difficult, but it's really easy.

Continued...

 

[FerrisBueller]

Use a torx T30 screwdriver to loosen the two screws (one inside each of the small access covers you previously removed). The torx screws are held captive by a plastic shroud, so you only have to loosen them all the way, and they'll still stay put. The airbag/horn assembly will now be free to pull away from the steering wheel. The torx screws might still be poking in through their hole a little, preventing you from removing the airbag assembly, so you might have to pull on the torx screws plastic shrouds a little too get it free:

Disconnect the three cables on the airbag assembly, then set it aside (metal side down). The main orange and black connectors need the yellow lock pried upward before the connector can be removed. The third small cable just a single wire pulls straight off, and is the wire that activates the horn:

Disconnect the two white connectors that are connected to the old spiral cable / clock spring:

At this point forward, you should ensure the steering wheel and tires are always oriented straight forward. I also used a chisel to lightly mark the straight-up position of the steering column. Remove the 19mm nut, then pull on the steering wheel to remove it. I did not need a puller to remove it, a gentle tug was more than sufficient. Set the steering wheel aside. You now have access to the spiral cable / click spring:

 

[FerrisBueller]

Three clips keep the spiral cable / clock spring in place. Use a trim removal tool to pry the 3 clips and remove the spiral cable:

There is a steering wheel orientation sensor you need to move from the old spiral cable and install on the new one. 6 clips hold it in place. Try not change the orientation of the sensor as you remove it and reinstall it.

 

[FerrisBueller]

Snap the new spiral cable / clock spring assembly into place on the steering column, then reconnect the 4 connectors:

Remove the locking orange tab by pulling it, then install the steering wheel, nut (37 ft-lb), and two white connectors:

Then reconnect the airbag / horn assembly's 3 cables. Don't forget the yellow lock tabs need to be up before those two connectors will engage, then press the yellow tabs down to lock them:

 

[FerrisBueller]

Reinstall the airbag assembly with the torx screws. Then reattach the two small access panels. Reinstall the large lower plastic cover, making sure it snaps together with its upper half, then install the two final screws to keep the lower plastic cover in place.

All done!

 

[FerrisBueller]

This video was very useful to watch, too: