SRS warning light and dealership fun :)

[wsladaritz]

I spent 3 1/2 hours and $120 at my local toyota dealership today and they accomplished TWO things for me.

1. Replaced the top bolt on the alternator. Apparently I don't know my own strength and I weakened it enough that it broke off... while I was driving. I heard a rattle one morning and upon investigation I found the bolt head bouncing around on the plastic under belly. ( or it was a weak bolt in the first place... there was rust on the inside of it!)

2. Diagnosed the SRS warning light and informed me that I need a new spiral cable ( I think that's what they called it ) in the steering wheel column. A $312 piece of wire and plastic as I understand it. I asked them not to order that piece.

I think I only got charged for labor and the diagnostics test. When I inquired about the warranty covering it they politely, but forcibly, explained why the warranty did not cover this. There was no rust on the bolt still stuck in the alternator. And the 60,000 mile/60 month Safety Restraint coverage only includes the physical seat belts and the actual air bag. It does not include any of the wiring or electronics involved. <- that's when I decided I still loathed that place as much as I did 4 years ago.

Side note... I thought since they were going to take the alternator out anyways I could get them to install my other two pulleys for me while they were in there. I knew I would have to pay the labor charges for that extra, and I mentioned that as well. Turns out they were too *busy* to do that... I also asked if they could just show me how to get one of the wire connections loose, cause I can't figure it out. They wouldn't do that either because they were too *busy*.

I say ALL of that to ask a question. Does anyone know where I can get this spiral cable for less that $312? And how can I replace this by myself? If it can't happen... I'll just be without airbags like back in the day with my '86 Crown Vic!

And those two connections on the alternator. One of the just unplugs when u push the tab in. The other one has a gray plastic cap surrounding it. Can anyone explain how to get that off? I was afraid I'd break something if I kept forcing it and not be able to get it to reattach properly.