$1000 to fix horn.... wtf?

[Woodman-07]

Hi All,

Just got my 2012 SR hilux serviced and told them beforehand the horn was not working..

They finished the service and told me they checked the horn but it would cost $1000 to fix it because it needed a new spiral cable....

So I googled what that was and it seems to be the thingimijiggy that keeps the connection going when you turn the wheel. Surly all things like blinkers and washer would not work if that was broken?

Anyone know what I could check to determine if this advice is accurate?

[martynvella]

It only affects whats in the steering wheel.
Search clock spring in this forum, plenty of after market ones about.

[Woodman-07]

ahh yeah sorry, of course the blinkers and wipers are on the column not the wheel.

So I got some further info from Toyota and because I have factory cruise control and radio controls on the wheel, it is the most expensive of 3 versions of the spiral cable that exist.

Also connects the airbag so is crucial for deployment of the air bag..
I will take a look at the forum as you suggested but I'm a bit worried about messing with aftermarket products of unknown quality when it comes to safety stuff like air bag deployment. I wonder if there could be insurance or roadworthiness implications for not using a genuine part for crucial safety equipment components?

[Skrewdriver]

I had the same problem with my 2012 SR5, and yes it does cost that much.

But make sure you do your homework as there are two clock springs available for that 2012 series of SR5’s and it comes down to the last digit of the part number.

The part numbers escape me right now, but from memory one is approximately $200 and the other one is around the $850 mark, and of course mine was the more expensive one.

I cannot stress this point enough as it is an electrical item, and once you buy it, you own, no refunds given.

I had to get mine done as the horn was not working, and rego was due, and it wouldn’t pass due to a faulty horn, so I had to bite the bullet.

My advice to you is you can try your luck with Toyota Australia and ask for a “out of warranty repair” and see if Toyota Australia will come to the party.

I had mine done last year, and from memory I think Toyota covered 50% of the parts and 50% of the labour, but don’t hold me on that, as it was over a week ago

IF you are successful in having this option done, Toyota Australia asked me for a copy of my entire service history. I had my car dealer serviced until the 150,000km warranty was up, and then I serviced it myself. That was the only demand I got from Toyota.

As far as aftermarket parts go, you can try it, and it might work, but it might not. The way I look at things in this instance and for what the item is, and the job is does, sometimes, just sometimes, it might be better to go genuine, as you know it will be the right part, providing you have a switched-on Parts Interpreter.

Let us know how you go.

Regards,

Skrewdriver

[Woodman-07]

Cheers Skrewdriver,

I suspect you may be referring to the same thing the technical guy told me at the shop, but he said there were 3 versions. I believe it's based on what you have factory fitted on your steering wheel.

Mine has factory cruise control, VSC and radio controls on the wheel so is (of course...) the most expensive one.
(the stability control detects wheel position so I believe uses this as well)

I had actually just finished emailing Toyota Aus. with respect to asking for an out of warranty repair - citing Australian Consumer Law and this being a 'major fault' due to safety issues. I do hope that results in something at least. I would be quite happy with 50% to be honest.

If they want service history that's fine. It's always been done at reputable mechanics (Guest 4WD and just now a Toyota dealership).

In this case, I feel the same way about getting a genuine part. When I first investigate this, I didn't realise the crucial role it played in VSC and Air Bag.. I would prefer to cop the $$ and have peace of mind.

[Woodman-07]

ha ok, so just had a look at a Youtube video of what the clock spring actualy consist of - how the hell do they cost $1000 - it's literally just a ribbon cable looped up inside a case.

he takes it apart at the end...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tI98pGCCFD4

[taresk]

ha ok, so just had a look at a Youtube video of what the clock spring actualy consist of - how the hell do they cost $1000 - it's literally just a ribbon cable looped up inside a case.

he takes it apart at the end...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tI98pGCCFD4

When they basically have a monopoly on the part, they can charge what they want. I found that out with my old 90 series Prado, I broke a vibration dampener, a rubber block glued to a simple metal bracket, that bolts to the transfer case, goes for a cool $560.

[GD40]

I got one second hand from a wrecker and got my mechanic to fit it. Was around $279 including fitment in my 10' SR5.

Works a treat now.

Don't buy the $20 eBay ones, waste of time, money and effort. Bite the bullet, it's your airbag, could save your life or at least a lot of pain in the future

Sent from my SM-G950F using Tapatalk

[oggy]

Fit it yourself. It's a piece of piss. Plenty of good vids on YouTube.

[Woodman-07]

I ended up writing to Toyota Aus and requesting an out of warranty repair. They wrote back and told me I would need the dealer to submit the request. Spoke to the dealer again and the guy was quite happy to lodge it for me.... we'll see what comes of it. fingers crossed.

[flyingdoctor]

I wonder if it is the same spiral cable that there was a recall in Europe a few years ago.
For the spiral cable was broken in to many cars an caused an airbag dysfunction.

Maybe you can lower the costs if you tell them...

https://www.carsales.com.au/editorial/d ... les-42824/

Tim

Over here there are builds from 2004 to 2010, which are involved.

[CamboT]

Ask the dealership to do a "goodwill claim"
Spiral cable fault is known problem and covered in 99% of cases

The spiral cable isn't expensive and labor to replace is minimal. I've done them in under 15mins.
There is no way it would cost even close 1K!

[bmob]

Hi All,

I've just been told by Toyota dealer that my 2012 Hilux SR5 needs a new spiral cable.
At the moment its just the horn that doesn't work.
Thanks for the recommendations on here about getting dealer to contact Toyota Australia.

I'm wondering how common this issue is with Hilux builds after 2009?

I have also emailed ACCC Product Safety Australia, to see if they've ever revisited this issue since their original recall notice in 2014.

https://www.productsafety.gov.au/recall ... connection

[Rob_Wood]

If dollars are really tight, another option is to put a horn button on the dash not pretty but it works. Try the recall and out of warranty paths first of course. This one's just a last resort to try and save a few pennies.

[bmob]

It's more the principle of spending 2% of new car value on a f*$%king cable which seem to be a known safety issue.

[Rob_Wood]

It's more the principle of spending 2% of new car value on a f*$%king cable which seem to be a known safety issue.

I'm unsure about this ribbon cable component, but you will find that many after market parts makers & suppliers are doing "fairly" good quality stuff. Maybe you could ask the question of the RTA Tech Services Section (Phone number used to be in the phone book). Not sure it's even called the RTA any more, but they'd know the answer to the "Legality" of using an aftermarket component for this repair. At least then you'd know the answer to that part of the question.

[241steve]

you may find ACCC Product Safety Australia has revisited the issue, I got a recall letter for a 2007 model I brought about a year ago about 6 months after i registered it, the recall was to inspect the ribbon cable.
argue its a known issue if he says we have fixed the problem argue you haven't as it broken . See if toyota will pay for the part you'll still have to pay for the labour to fit it probably.