Fat dudes and air bag sensors - Toyota Tundra Forums : Tundra Solutions Forum

cheapskate · #1 (**permalink**) 05-08-2009, 10:59 PM

Here is a weird one maybe someone can answer. The brother in law told me today that a guy he works with actually has someone from Toyota Canada (Toyota's head office this side of the border) coming to his house to look at his truck because he keeps frying the seat weight detecor in his seat which, in turn disables the air bag . I guess this is a big lad, around 320lbs. Anyway, I guess because of his weight he keeps getting all these problems with his seat and the dealer has tried to fix it so many times and they just cant seem to do anything about it. Supposedly the detectors are only good up to 275lbs and that is why he is having this problem. So someone from TCI along with some of their engineers are going to have a look at his truck to see what is going on. Just wondering if this can really happen or has anyone else ever heard of this before? I just cant believe that his weight, as big as he is, has caused this to happen. And no, I am not making this up. Anyone got a clue on this???

SE2000 · #2 (**permalink**) 05-08-2009, 11:04 PM

Does he always feed you bull stories?

cheapskate · #3 (**permalink**) 05-08-2009, 11:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SE2000

Does he always feed you bull stories?

I know, it sounds like a load of BS. Thats why I am throwing it out there. In theory it could be possible.

los211 · #4 (**permalink**) 05-09-2009, 12:14 AM

The sensors are essentially pressure activated and if you repeatedly overload the sensor it will malfunction. Totally possible but without knowing the actual sensor ratings it would be hard to tell if the actual cause is the guys weight. The other variable is how the switch is actually mounted and activated. direct or indirect pressure also plays a roll in this.

tun dra · #5 (**permalink**) 05-10-2009, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cheapskate

Here is a weird one maybe someone can answer. The brother in law told me today that a guy he works with actually has someone from Toyota Canada (Toyota's head office this side of the border) coming to his house to look at his truck because he keeps frying the seat weight detecor in his seat which, in turn disables the air bag . I guess this is a big lad, around 320lbs. Anyway, I guess because of his weight he keeps getting all these problems with his seat and the dealer has tried to fix it so many times and they just cant seem to do anything about it. Supposedly the detectors are only good up to 275lbs and that is why he is having this problem. So someone from TCI along with some of their engineers are going to have a look at his truck to see what is going on. Just wondering if this can really happen or has anyone else ever heard of this before? I just cant believe that his weight, as big as he is, has caused this to happen. And no, I am not making this up. Anyone got a clue on this???

I am 340 lbs and have no problems with mine.

cheapskate · #6 (**permalink**) 05-10-2009, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tun dra

I am 340 lbs and have no problems with mine.

All the more reason why I dont get how this guy can have this problem. If it was simply a weight issue this would probably have been a well known issue with the truck by now. I am sure there are a lot of guys over the weight limit that dont have problems with the sensor. Still curious what real cause is though.

SE2000 · #7 (**permalink**) 05-10-2009, 01:38 PM

You cannot electrically overload a pressure switch in the circuit. If it was being mechanically crushed, they don't need to go to the fat butt house with a big wig to see. They have the old seats to inspect. No big wig is coming to anyones house ever.

cheapskate · #8 (**permalink**) 05-10-2009, 04:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SE2000

You cannot electrically overload a pressure switch in the circuit. If it was being mechanically crushed, they don't need to go to the fat butt house with a big wig to see. They have the old seats to inspect. No big wig is coming to anyones house ever.

I didnt say the president of Toyota was showing up. Only someone from TCI. I can tell you for a fact that Toyota does investigate peoples cars where there have been problems. They are called Field Reports. I work at Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada and I have been given field reports and asked to investigate them based on problems with customers cars. If a dealer cant figure out whats wrong with a car and its serious enough it does get pushed up higher. What do you think, the dealer just tells you to get lost if they cant figure out how to fix your car if its a serious issue?

mustang67408 · #9 (**permalink**) 05-11-2009, 02:45 PM

cheapskate is right. IF there is an issue that we at the dealership are unable to repair, or need help, then I make a report to my TAS (Technical Assistance Service) and FTS (Field Tech Rep) and 1 day a month he comes out with what he thinks is necessary to repair or investigate the concern. He has brought what they call "GO & SEE" teams from TMS in our region, some of these guys have been actual engineers. After their analysis we proceed on their recommendations.
I average 2-3 FTS cases a month.

I have only seen him go to someones house when we were unable to reproduce the concern, because we did not have a steep sloped driveway and the issue was only going in and out of the customers driveway. Turned out to be the aftermarket tailpipe was rubbing as he backed out.

The sensor appears to have a max value of 282lbs..
For those that weigh more, I can not explain why. but will ask my FTS next time I contact him and see what he says or if that figure is accurate.

SE2000 · #10 (**permalink**) 05-11-2009, 03:36 PM

The unreproducible problem makes sense. But a pile of old car parts will reproduce 320lbs.
As far as the sensor goes, it maxing out probably means that after that you get full force deployment. But that is not breakage of the part.
Could be the dude carries some tool in his back pocket where the sensor is located and with that much weight, it puts a 1000 lbs on that one spot.
I never said the president would show up for a beer and a tech session, only a big wig. But unlike the exhaust, unless the guys house is important to troubleshooting, why would they do it?

mustang67408 · #11 (**permalink**) 05-11-2009, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SE2000

why would they do it?

No, they probably wouldn't... didnt make sense to me either,

cheapskate · #12 (**permalink**) 05-11-2009, 05:06 PM

Like mustang says, if they cant reproduce the problem in house they will go to the problem- Genchi Genbutsu-it translates into "go and see". Having a repeat problem with the airbag would probably be considered a serious issue. If they need to go to someones house to duplicate the problem and find root cause they would probably do it. SE2000 you have a good point, maybe his wallet or something like that is right on the sensor, who knows. I have just never heard of this before and told the bro in law I would check around to see if anyone has ever heard of this. If it was just a weight issue the problem would be everywhere and very well known by now. Or already have a recall if it was a widespread problem.

mustang67408 · #13 (**permalink**) 05-12-2009, 12:30 AM

Quote:

dude carries some tool in his back pocket where the sensor is located and with that much weight, it puts a 1000 lbs on that one spot.

Try explaining something like that (very possible & most likely) to a customer. You have to remember ,"IT's ALWAYS THE VEHICLES FAULT".