Lola

[Lola Zamoi]

I am puzzled, basically puzzled beyond belief. I have a 2000 Avensis which I bought in 2005. The air bag light has never worked, I did not even know there was a indicator lamp for that. When going through the MOT I was advised to replace the lamp as it seemed to be malfunctioning. 

Took the dash screen off to find there were no bulbs in the whole of the right hand side of the dash assembly. Very puzzled. I obtained bulb holders and bulbs and fitted them into the dashboard and replaced one faulty bulb. Still, nothing on the right hand side worked as far as  indicator lamps were concerned. 

Why and what I have no idea. I have searched and checked under the front seats, everything seems to be connected. I have taken the gear console apart and everything seems to be connected. I do not get a lamp showing when I turn the ignition key, get nothing, nothing ....

Have even found that when I have taken to vehicle to Toyota for repair or service they have not reported on this either but would report on a faulty licence plate bulb and so on. This is very puzzling.

Anyone got any ideas as to what the issue could be, does the bulb system on the air bag function of  this model VVTi 1.8 GLS of 2000 actually work ??

Any help would be appreciated

[Konrad C]

I used to own a 1998 leanburn version, which has the same dash plus the ECON light, that works with the leanburn system. All the warning lights including the SRS (airbag) and ABS works. WHEN turning the key for the first time, the ABS and SRS warning lights illuminate for a couple of seconds then go out. If you repeat it with fully turning off and removing the key, the warning lights do not come on! 

A few years back I had a few dash warning bulbs not work. They are all R286 capless bulbs.

If the holders are missing then eBay is your best bet or a breakers. It sounds like somebody was careless in the past, and remove the bulb and did not retain the holder.

Since you have owned the car a long time, did you have the SRS light come on in the past and got a garage to look at it? I made myself aware of how the cars system works when I first owned it and looked in the owners manual that came with mine. Also when I look at any car, I check the warning lights. Since the MOT rules changed, any warning lights not working is a failure. I have read that they were only a failure if on, so if removed was not a failure. This might have been the case, but only you or any mechanic that touched it, might know! Also do you have the Haynes manual which covers your car?

[Konrad C]

Can I add that if you fit a new bulb and the warning light is not functioning, check the dash connections. If no joy then auto electrician.

[Lola Zamoi]

Hi Konrad. No, the SRS light has never worked which is why I am puzzled. As I have said, I removed the dash unit to find that a number of holders were missing and replaced them. I have changed bulbs around between the ABS and SRS to check bulbs work. I guess I will have to track down an Auto Electrician. Thanks for your assistance, you have been a real boost. At tghe time I purchased the car I had just had a heart attack so the car sat idle for a number of months and I was not quite in the frame of mind like now to find out what pots all round the car.

Yes I have a Haynes manual but that does not seem to help on this matter much - shows where parts are, not how to diagnose and repair.

cheers

[Konrad C]

Hi Michael. 

I searched my archive drives and found some photos of when I was replacing bulbs at the back of the instrument panel.

Those photos go back April 2011. I still have to look for a photo of the dash warning indicators all on. 

[Lola Zamoi]

On 4/24/2017 at 9:30 AM, Lola Zamoi said:

I am puzzled, basically puzzled beyond belief. I have a 2000 Avensis which I bought in 2005. The air bag light has never worked, I did not even know there was a indicator lamp for that. When going through the MOT I was advised to replace the lamp as it seemed to be malfunctioning. 

Took the dash screen off to find there were no bulbs in the whole of the right hand side of the dash assembly. Very puzzled. I obtained bulb holders and bulbs and fitted them into the dashboard and replaced one faulty bulb. Still, nothing on the right hand side worked as far as  indicator lamps were concerned. 

Why and what I have no idea. I have searched and checked under the front seats, everything seems to be connected. I have taken the gear console apart and everything seems to be connected. I do not get a lamp showing when I turn the ignition key, get nothing, nothing ....

Have even found that when I have taken to vehicle to Toyota for repair or service they have not reported on this either but would report on a faulty licence plate bulb and so on. This is very puzzling.

Anyone got any ideas as to what the issue could be, does the bulb system on the air bag function of  this model VVTi 1.8 GLS of 2000 actually work ??

Any help would be appreciated

I would like to thank those who came to my rescue. Konrad, getting hold of a 'spare' dash display did show where the fault was and I was able to rectify. Cheers folks