Clock spring

My horn quit working, and sometimes works intermittantly. I've checked the fuse indicated in the owners manual. Googling says the clockspring may have gone bad. After consulting with a Toyota dealer and 3 garages, it appears that if the clockspring needs to be replaced, it's a very costly fix. Is there any other thing that may be causing this?

 

I replaced the clock spring on my Tacoma. Very inexpensive part and an easy DIY job. There are several YouTube videos available to follow.


https://www.ebay.com/itm/1268705480...SqLmueDPgfpl2y2lQejMVq0J8DA=|tkp:BFBMhsnakcZm

 

Welcome

 

Not sure where you got expensive from. But its not expensive or hard.

Before replacing the spring though I'd check to make sure its just not the horn. I forget if the 4R has a plug or is hardwired to the horn but I'd cut the wires and double check before doing the clock spring.

 

Consulting? Did the shops diagnose it properly or just guessing based on a verbal conversation? It takes about 15 minutes to expose both ends of the clock spring electrical connectors to check for continuity on the horn wire pins. I did this when the cruise control quit working on my 2010 this summer, before spending $720 on the clock spring and replacing it myself: https://www.4runners.com/posts/753023

The OEM clock spring is expensive because Toyota bundles it together with the steering angle sensor. Most aftermarket clock springs don't. (You unclip the steering angle sensor from your old clock spring and nestle it in the new one, trivial task.) Aftermarket clock springs will typically work for a year or two then fail.

 

This thread should be moved to https://www.4runners.com/forums/5th-gen-4runners-2010-2024.18/

 

"Aftermarket clock springs will typically work for a year or two then fail."

Totally disagree. The aftermarket spring I used was 6 six years old and going strong when I sold the truck. The Tacoma forum has many examples of aftermarket clock springs being used with no issues what-so-ever.

 

^The eBay part you linked doesn't work on all trims of 4Runners. My SR5 for example had a different pinout where the horn wire went to a different connector pin.

 

The dealer wants $900 for the part. They didn't give me an estimate for labor.

 

Just pointing out that there's no need to spend $700 on a clock spring...

 

I have to do the clock spring in my girls 2015 Tacoma. Her horn doesn't work unless the wheel is turned all the way. I got a Toyota clock spring with the dealers 25% off and free shipping. Brought it down to about $190ish. I hope I don't have to do one in the 4Runner anytime soon.......That's pricey!!!

 

In my case, none of the eBay clock springs had the correct connector pinout. I did have to spend $700. The cost was unnecessarily high because fucking Toyota bundles the steering angle sensor with the clock spring, whereas the corresponding parts on Tacomas of the same era were sold separately. (Yes I've replaced and even modded clock springs on the Tacoma so I know what I'm talking about.)

 

The one I listed fits the OP's 4Runner.
Here's another with a Warranty...

https://www.ebay.com/itm/3891375480...lp:2332490&itmmeta=01K8VACD4ZMVH7VHSGJ4YGA2QH

 

^Have you tried this part in your 4Runner? 84306-0E010 is the correct P/N for 2nd gen Tacomas. However, the parts catalog shows 84307-30090 for 2011 4Runners with steering wheel controls.

This is the correct eBay part: https://www.ebay.com/itm/375166461491

Can also order the genuine OEM part from PartSouq in the UAE for ~$300: https://partsouq.com/en/search/all?q=8430730090