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. This will reduce the risk of injury in the event of an accidental deployment.
- To reduce the risk of personal injury, do not use any memory saver devices. Failure to follow this instruction may result in serious personal injury.
NOTE:
- The air bag warning indicator illuminates when the restraints control module (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 supplemental restraint system (SRS) must be fully operational and free of faults before releasing the vehicle to the customer.
- Repair is made by installing a new part only. If the new part does not correct the condition, install the original part and carry out the diagnostic procedure again.
1. Depower the system.
2. Tilt the steering wheel in the downward position and lock the tilt handle.
3. Remove the driver air bag module.
4. CAUTION: Vehicles with absolute steering angle sensor and/or adaptive headlamps, do not allow the clockspring rotor to turn from the straight-ahead position after the steering wheel is removed. Failure to follow this instruction may result in component damage and/or system failure.
NOTE: Make sure the road wheels are in the straight-ahead position.
Remove the steering wheel.
5. Tape the clockspring rotor to the steering column shaft to prevent the clockspring rotor from moving out of center.
6. Release the 2 tabs and position the upper steering column shroud upward.
7. Remove the 3 screws and the lower steering column shroud.
8. Disconnect the clockspring electrical connector.
9. Remove the tape from the clockspring rotor to the steering column shaft. Do not allow the clockspring rotor to move from center after tape is removed.
10. CAUTION: Vehicles with absolute steering angle sensor and/or adaptive headlamps, do not allow the clockspring rotor to turn from the straight-ahead position after the steering wheel is removed. Failure to follow this instruction may result in component damage and/or system failure.
NOTE: Vehicles with absolute steering angle sensor and/or adaptive headlamps, after the clockspring has been removed make sure the arrow on the absolute steering angle sensor ring is lined up with the arrow on the absolute steering angle sensor housing as shown.
Remove the 2 clockspring screws and remove the clockspring.
Installation
Vehicle repairs reusing the same clockspring
1. 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 serious personal injury.
CAUTION: Make sure the road wheels are in the straight-ahead position. Failure to follow this instruction may result in component damage and/or system failure.
if the vehicle's clockspring has rotated out of center, follow these steps to center 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 and for a slight resistance. Stop turning at this point.
3. Turn the clockspring clockwise (approximately 2.25 turns) until the clockspring rotor wiring and connector are in the 12 o'clock position. Clockspring is now centered.
- Do not allow the rotor to turn from this position.
All vehicles
2. NOTE: Slight rotation of the absolute steering angle sensor ring is allowed to align the 2 arrows.
Make sure the sensor ring arrow is lined up with the absolute steering angle sensor housing arrow as shown.
3. CAUTION: If the clockspring is left unattended by the technician between centralizing the clockspring and installing it to the multi-function switch housing, the centralizing procedure must be repeated. Failure to follow this instruction may result in component damage and/or system failure.
NOTE:
- Vehicles with absolute steering angle sensor and/or adaptive headlamps, slight rotation of the clockspring rotor might be needed to seat the clockspring 3 locator pins into the absolute steering angle sensor and or adaptive headlamps sensor ring. Very slight rotation is possible on a new clockspring with the sealing key installed.
- Make sure the clockspring is fully seated into the multi-function switch housing before installing the clockspring screws.
Install the clockspring and the 2 screws.
4. Connect the clockspring electrical connector.
5. Install the lower steering column shroud and the 3 screws.
6. Attach the upper steering column shroud to the lower steering column shroud.
7. CAUTION: If not installing a new clockspring, and the vehicle is left unattended by the technician between the installation of the clockspring to the multi-function switch housing and installing the steering wheel, the centralizing procedure can be repeated at this time with the clockspring being installed in the multi-function switch housing. Failure to follow this instruction may result in component damage and/or system failure.
Install the steering wheel.
- If a new clockspring is being installed, and after the steering wheel installation, remove the clockspring sealing key.
8. Install the driver air bag module.
9. Repower the system.