Clockspring Assembly / Spiral Cable: Service and Repair

CLOCKSPRING

Removal

WARNING:
- Always wear safety glasses when repairing an air bag supplemental restraint system (SRS) vehicle and when handling an air bag module.
- 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.
- To reduce the risk of personal injury, do not use any memory saver devices.

NOTE:
- The air bag warning lamp illuminates when the RCM fuse is removed and the ignition switch is ON. This is normal operation and does not indicate a supplemental restraint system (SRS) fault.
- The SRS must be fully operational and free of faults before releasing the vehicle to the customer.
- Vehicles with speed control only shown, all others are similar.
- A repair is made by replacement only. If a part is replaced and the new part does not correct the condition, install the original part and perform the diagnostic procedure again.

All vehicles

1. Depower the system.







2. NOTE: Make sure the wheels are in the straight-ahead position.

Remove the driver air bag module.
1 Remove the two steering wheel back cover plugs.
2 Remove the two driver air bag module bolts.
3 Disconnect the horn electrical connector.
4 Disconnect the clockspring electrical connector.
5 Remove the driver air bag module.

3. NOTE: Make sure the wheels are in the straight-ahead position.

Remove the steering wheel.







4. Apply two strips of masking tape across the clockspring to prevent accidental rotation.







5. Twist the tilt wheel handle and shank and remove.







6. Remove the steering column opening lower finish panel.
1 Turn the retaining clips a quarter-turn counterclockwise to release.
2 Remove the steering column opening lower finish panel.







7. Remove the lower steering column shroud.
1 Remove the three screws.
2 Remove the steering column shroud.







8. Remove the ignition switch lock cylinder.
1 Position the lock cylinder to RUN.
2 Using a suitable tool, push upward on the cylinder release tab while pulling the cylinder outward.







9. Remove the upper steering column shroud.

Vehicles with a passive anti-theft system







10. Remove the passive anti-theft system (PATS) transmitter.
1 Remove the PATS transmitter retaining screw.
2 Remove the PATS transmitter.

All vehicles







11. Remove the key-in-ignition warning indicator switch.







12. Remove the clockspring electrical connectors and wire harness from the side of the steering column.
1 Remove the clockspring electrical connectors from the bracket.
- Disconnect the remaining electrical connector.

2 Remove the wire harness from the retainers.







13. Remove the clockspring.
1 Release the retaining clips.
2 Remove the clockspring.

Installation

Vehicles receiving a new clockspring

1. 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 rotor to turn.

Vehicles needing clockspring recentering







2. 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 Push and release the anti-rotation tab.

3 CAUTION: Overturning will destroy the clockspring. The internal ribbon wire acts as the stop and can be broken from its internal connection.

While holding the anti-rotation tab in the released position, turn the rotor clockwise, carefully feeling for the ribbon wire to run out of length and a slight resistance is felt. Stop turning at this point.

4 While holding the anti-rotation tab in the released position, turn the clockspring counterclockwise approximately 2.25 turns. This is the center point of the clockspring.
- Do not allow the rotor to turn from this position.

Vehicle repairs reusing the same clockspring

3. NOTE: When the tape is removed, do not allow the clockspring to turn.

Remove the tape applied during clockspring removal.

All vehicles







4. NOTE: Slight turning of the clockspring rotor is allowable for alignment purposes to the steering column.

Install the clockspring.
1 With the flats of the clockspring aligned to the flats of the steering column, slide the clockspring onto the steering column.
2 Engage the retaining tabs.







5. Install the clockspring wire harness and electrical connectors.
1 Route the clockspring wire harness down the side of the steering column and into the holders.
2 Connect the clockspring electrical connectors.
- Install the electrical connectors into the bracket.







6. Install the key-in-ignition warning indicator switch.

Vehicles with a passive anti-theft system







7. Install the passive anti-theft system (PATS) transmitter.
1 Position the PATS transmitter.
2 Install the PATS transmitter retaining screw.

All vehicles







8. Install the upper steering column shroud.







9. Install the ignition switch lock cylinder.
- Position the ignition switch lock cylinder to the RUN position.
- Insert the ignition switch lock cylinder into the steering column.
- Make sure the ignition switch lock cylinder is fully seated and aligned in the interlocking washer before turning the key to the OFF position.
- Make sure the ignition switch lock cylinder retaining pin is seated in the hole in the steering column.
- Rotate the ignition switch lock cylinder through all positions to verify operation.







10. Install the lower steering column shroud.
1 Position the lower steering column shroud.
2 Install the screws.







11. Install the steering column opening lower finish panel.
1 Align the steering column opening lower finish panel to the instrument panel.
2 Turn the retaining clips a quarter-turn clockwise to install.







12. Install the tilt wheel handle and shank.
13. Install the steering wheel. Do not install the driver air bag module at this time.







14. Install the driver air bag module.
1 Connect the horn electrical connector.
2 Connect the driver air bag module electrical connector.
3 Position the driver air bag module into the steering wheel.
4 Install the two bolts.
5 Install the two steering wheel back cover plugs.

15. Repower the system.