Clockspring Assembly / Spiral Cable: Service and Repair
CLOCKSPRINGSpecial Tool(s):
SPECIAL TOOL(S)
REMOVAL
WARNING:
- Always wear safety glasses when repairing an air bag supplemental restraint system (SRS) vehicle and when handling an air bag module. This will reduce the risk of injury in the event of an accidental deployment.
- Carry a live air bag module with the air bag and trim cover pointed away from your body. This will reduce the risk of injury in the event of an accidental deployment.
- Do not set a live air bag module down with the trim cover face down. This will reduce the risk of injury in the event of an accidental deployment.
- After deployment, the air bag surface can contain deposits of sodium hydroxide, a product of the gas generant combustion that is irritating to the skin. Wash your hands with soap and water afterwards.
- Never probe the connectors on the air bag module. Doing so can result in air bag deployment, which can result in personal injury.
- Air bag modules with discolored or damaged trim covers must be replaced, not repainted.
NOTE: Repair is made by installing a new part only. If the new part does not correct the condition, install the original part and perform the diagnostic procedure again.
1. WARNING: To avoid accidental deployment and possible personal injury, the backup power supply must be depleted before repairing or replacing any front or side air bag supplemental restraint system (SRS) components and before servicing, replacing, adjusting or striking components near the front or side air bag sensors, such as doors, instrument panel, console, door latches, strikers, seats and hood latches.
The front impact severity sensor is located at the bottom of the hood latch support bracket.
The first row side impact sensors (if equipped) are located in the first row doors, behind the door trim panel.
The second row side impact sensors (if equipped) are located at or near the base of the C-pillars.
To deplete the backup power supply energy, disconnect the battery ground cable and wait at least one minute. Be sure to disconnect auxiliary batteries and power supplies (if equipped).
Disconnect the battery ground cable and wait at least one minute.
2. WARNING: To reduce the risk of serious personal injury, read and follow all warning, cautions, note, and instructions in the supplemental restraint system (SRS) deactivation/reactivation procedure.
Deactivate the supplemental restraint system (SRS).
3. Make sure the road wheels are in the straight-ahead position.
4. WARNING: To reduce the risk of serious personal injury, read and follow all warning, cautions, note, and instructions in the steering wheel removal and installation procedure.
Remove the steering wheel.
5. Apply two strips of masking tape across the clockspring to prevent accidental rotation when the clockspring is removed.
6. Release the tabs and slide the gear selector cover away from the steering column shrouds.
7. From under the steering column, remove the three screws and the lower steering column shroud.
8. From under the steering column remove the screw and then remove the upper steering column shroud.
9. Separate the multi-function switch from the clockspring.
1 Remove the screw.
2 Release the tab.
3 While releasing the retaining tab, slide the multi-function switch up and out of the way.
10. Separate the clockspring from the steering column.
1 Remove the screws.
2 Slide the clockspring off the steering column shaft.
11. Remove the clockspring.
1 Disconnect the clockspring electrical connectors.
2 Remove the clockspring.
12. Attach the restraint system diagnostic tool to the vehicle harness side of the clockspring electrical connector.
13. Inspect the clockspring bracket for damage and remove as necessary.
14. Connect the battery ground cable.
15. With the restraint system diagnostic tools installed at all deployable devices, prove out the supplemental restraint system (SRS). Prove Out Procedure
16. Disconnect the battery ground cable and wait at least one minute.
17. Remove the restraint system diagnostic tools from the clockspring electrical connectors if not reusing the same clockspring.
INSTALLATION
WARNING: To reduce the risk of serious personal injury, read and follow all warning, cautions and note at the beginning of the removal procedure.
Vehicles to receive a new clockspring bracket
1. Install the clockspring bracket and screws.
Vehicles receiving a new clockspring
2. NOTE: A new clockspring is supplied in a centralized position and held there with a key.
Remove the key from the clockspring, holding the rotor in its centralized position.
- Do not allow the clockspring motor to turn.
Vehicles needing clockspring recentering
3. WARNING: Incorrect centralization may result in premature component failure. If in doubt when centralizing the clockspring, repeat the centralizing procedure. Failure to follow this instruction may result in personal injury.
CAUTION: Make sure the road wheels are in the straight-ahead position.
NOTE: If a clockspring has rotated out of center, follow through with this step.
Centralize the clockspring.
1 Hold the clockspring outer housing stationary.
2 CAUTION: Overturning will destroy the clockspring. The internal ribbon wire acts as the stop and can be broken from its internal connection.
While turning the rotor counterclockwise, carefully feel for the ribbon wire to run out of length. Stop turning when a slight resistance is felt.
3 Turn the clockspring clockwise approximately 2.75 turns. This is the center point of the clockspring.
- Do not allow the rotor to turn from this position.
All vehicles
4. Remove the restraint system diagnostic tool from the vehicle harness side of the clockspring electrical connector.
5. NOTE: Make sure the battery negative cable is disconnected before continuing with the installation procedure.
Connect the clockspring electrical connectors.
6. NOTE: Slight turning of the clockspring rotor is allowable for alignment purposes to the steering column.
Install the clockspring onto the steering column.
1 With the flats of the clockspring aligned to the flats of the steering column, slide the clockspring onto the steering column.
2 Install the screws.
Vehicle repairs using the same clockspring
7. Remove the tape applied during clockspring removal.
All vehicles
8. Install the multi-function switch.
1 Align the multi-function switch and slide it down into position.
2 Check that the retaining tab is engaged.
3 Install the screw.
9. Position the upper steering column shroud, and from under the steering column, install the screw.
10. Position the lower steering column shroud and install the three screws.
11. Reposition the gear selector cover to the steering column shrouds and engage the tabs.
12. WARNING: To reduce the risk of serious personal injury, read and follow all warning, cautions, note, and instructions in the steering wheel removal and installation procedure.
Install the steering wheel. Do not install the driver air bag module at this time.
13. Attach the restraint system diagnostic tools to the clockspring electrical connectors at the top of the steering column.
14. Connect the battery ground cable.
15. With the restraint system diagnostic tools installed at all deployable devices, prove out the supplemental restraint system (SRS). Prove Out Procedure
16. Disconnect the battery ground cable and wait at least one minute.
17. Remove the restraint system diagnostic tools from the clockspring electrical connectors at the top of the steering column.
Expedition vehicles
18. Position the driver air bag module to the steering wheel.
1 Connect the horn switch electrical connector.
2 CAUTION: The clockspring electrical connectors are unique and cannot be reversed when connected to the driver air bag module. Match the electrical connector key to the keyway in the driver air bag module. Do not force the electrical connectors into the driver air bag module.
Connect the driver air bag module electrical connectors as noted during the deactivation procedure.
3 Position the driver air bag module to the steering wheel.
Navigator vehicles
19. Connect the driver air bag module accessories electrical connector to the connector end at the top of the clockspring.
20. CAUTION: The clockspring electrical connectors are unique and cannot be reversed when connected to the driver air bag module. Match the electrical connector key to the keyway in the driver air bag module. Do not force the electrical connectors into the driver air bag module.
Connect the driver air bag module electrical connectors as noted during removal.
- Position the driver air bag module to the steering wheel.
All vehicles
21. Install the two driver air bag module bolts (one shown).
22. Install the two steering wheel back cover plugs (one shown).
23. WARNING: To reduce the risk of serious personal injury, read and follow all warning, cautions, note, and instructions in the supplemental restraint system (SRS) deactivation/reactivation procedure.
Reactivate the supplemental restraint system (SRS).
24. Connect the battery ground cable.
25. WARNING: Restraint system diagnostic tools are for service only. Tools must be removed prior to operating the vehicle over the road. Failure to remove restraint system diagnostic tools could result in injury and possible violation of vehicle safety standards.
With all the restraint system diagnostic tools removed, prove out the supplemental restraint system (SRS). Prove Out Procedure