How to remove Steering cover for Prado VX 2009

[shabeeralic Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close shabeeralic]

Hi,

I would like to install cruise control on my prado vx 2009 A/T. I got the parts and to install it I need to remove the steering cover and I find it difficult to do it. Anyone has any thoughts on how to do it systematically without breaking anything with some pictures if available would be very helpful.

Thanks in advance.
shabeer

[Steve M Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Steve M]

All I can say is be extremly careful as you technically have an explosive device right at your head, ""your drivers steering wheel airbag"" this is some thing not to play with if you have no idea, as it could be lethal if for some reason it goes off. Really do your home work before playing with it. Its probably an easy job all up but to those who no what their doing.Regards Steve

[tassie tiger Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close tassie tiger]

The steering 'pad' where the airbag is or the shroud that covers the steering column?

If its the steering pad then I would add to steves caution and say dont try it. I'm a mechanic and I dont touch them.

[Steve M Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Steve M]

I would say the steering wheel airbag/horn pad, if he is fitting factory cruise especilly as the control for the cruise on the prados are just behind say the 3 o'clock position (just under) on the wheel itself. Even after market there is still a chance the wheel would need to be removed possibly as well. Even with the battery disconected I believe the things are still charged, not sure if this is true or not but wouldnt like to find out by mistake. Regards Steve

[shabeeralic Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close shabeeralic]

Thanks guys for the strong warnings and reminders. Now I am really scared. But I have the parts with me and not sure who can help me install it. Toyota service center does not want to do it.

[Steve M Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Steve M]

hang on a second u say 09 vx ?? It should hav it anyway from the factory whats the go ??

[LeighW Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close LeighW]

The airbag capacitors should discharge in under 5 minutes with the cars battery disconnected.
I would wait at least 30 minutes myself before starting any work. The air bag wiring will be yellow so
keep clear of it if possible.

If you have a service manual and you should as you'll need one if you break something and it should
have a proceedure in it for replacement of the steering wheel air bag though I can't access it at
the moment to check.

Cheers
LeighW

[Ozpat Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Ozpat]

hang on a second u say 09 vx ?? It should have it anyway from the factory whats the go ??

Same here. I have the 120 VX with cruise control as standard. Or is yours a 150 which came out late 2009?

[shabeeralic Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close shabeeralic]

Mine doesn't have Cruise control though it is a VX 2009 (Auto transmission). Its like they had three versions of VX namely VX1, VX2 and VX3 as variants of VX and each feature is available in upper model only. However its all wired for all features I guess (again guess only). My display dashboard also has CRUISE in it but doesn't light up coz the switch is not installed probably. Also the dashboard has Height Control, VSC etc but those features are available only in VX2 or VX3 versions and the switches positions for these features are all empty. Mine is VX1 and I don't have Cruise, Height Control, VSC and only has bluetooth feature.

Kindly give me some expert guidance on how to safely fix the cruise switch. It surely involves removing the steering/horn cover but its just two wires to be plugged and two screws to be done for the switch. After hearing the risk of air bag I am really worried about how I can get it installed as Toyota doesn't want to help on this as they are too busy with other tasks. If you look in toyodiy.com for my model with VIN number it shows cruise control/auto drive as a component for it but just because toyota makes money by adding extra features within VX and selling it as VX1, VX2 and VX3 but all VX series should be wired for all options if we want to add it. Please give me your valuable suggestions.

[shabeeralic Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close shabeeralic]

Guys forgot to mention that the car is in Saudi Arabia. I am an Indian working here.

[Steve M Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Steve M]

OK that explains the models, going by the reply above if you dissconect the battery first, then remove horn/airbag pad after roughly 1/2 hour you should be ok (only going by the reply above) if still in doubt maybe do some googling to see what information you can find. Obviously they can be removed it just a safety issue in doing it the right way to avoid injury. if I get a chance tonight I will ring my mate from toyota and see what he says.......Regards Steve

[Steve M Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Steve M]

Just been speaking to my mate from Toyota, he said disconect battery, undo the screws on the back of the wheel pull horn pad/aorbag forward and behind will be some wires going into a clip type set up, disconect the clip (pull apart), then holding the airbag/hornpad upwards away from face and put some where, where it wont get knocked or fall and hit the ground, then do what ever is required to do for the cruise control then reinstall airbag/hornpad, try to work with it facing away from your face, (do not at any time face the rear of the horn/airbag towards your face) he said the back of it is metal and if it was to go off it would definately kill you or blow half your face away. Main thing at all time is to treat it like its a hand granade, they can still be charged even with battery disconected for a long time, so keep away from face and store it where it wont be knocked while your doing the other work on the cruise control, its not some thing to throw in a joking way to your mate or any thing like that, your playing with some thing that could seriously harm,maim, or kill you. I take no responsibility for passing any of the above information onto you and in no way accept any responsibility should you or any one else be harmed by the removal of the airbag from using the instructions above. You will be removing the airbag at your own risk....................................

[shabeeralic Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close shabeeralic]

Hi Steve I do understand the seriousness and appreciate the concern. Don't worry I get the idea and I completely agree that you are not responsible for the instructions and you are just trying to help me protect myself in case I still want to do it. I really appreciate your concern. I will treat it very very seriously and will be extremely extremely careful in case am going for it. Its like shooting at me or holding a grenade in hand as you said. Of course if am doing its at my own risk. I will disconnect the battery for may 2-3 hours and will wear an anti-static band and will store it in a place where it in case go off also will not harm myself or anyone. Thanks again and again.

[shabeeralic Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close shabeeralic]

Hey Steve/others, I did it. I did it in 30 minutes and it works like a dream. I am so happy. So all you need is the cruise control stalk, cruise wire and two screws and hex screw driver and normal star screw driver and job is done.
But be very very careful with airbag as it could be a killer. I was extra extra cautious because of the warning given by some good hearted gentlemen in this forum. Thanks to all for the support. I have the Cruise Control feature now on my Prado VX 2009.

[BlokeInOz Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close BlokeInOz]

150 Facelift GXL
Just wondering if anybody has information to remove the covers of the steering column in the car? Does the above apply to just the plastic top/bottom bits. Don't really need to get at anything in the steering wheel its self.
Cheers