Please Read This Before Proceeding

DISCLAIMER: Serious injury or death can be a result of improper removal/installation techniques. Follow manufacturer's instructions for disabling Restraint Systems PRIOR to working on any airbag component.

Airbags are a dangerous and powerful safety restraint system and should not be taken lightly or tampered with. If you are not a qualified/ certified technician, seek the help of a professional to service the airbag system on your vehicle.

ALWAYS DISCONNECT THE BATTERY AND WAIT 10 FULL MINUTES BEFORE WORKING ON ANY AIRBAG SYSTEM.



Clockspring Information

         

















What is a Clockspring?

Very simply, the clockspring is an extension cord for the driver's airbag. There is only one clockspring in the airbag system and it is always in the steering column. It is designed to provide a constant electrical connection to the airbag allowing the steering wheel to turn multiple rotations in each direction without breaking contact with the airbag.


It typically consists of a flat ribbon wire encased in plastic with specific connectors. This ribbon wire is wound up inside the plastic case and resembles the spring found in old watches or clocks, thus giving it the name "clockspring". There is no spring action to this part. It is merely a wire connector for the systems above it in the steering column.

The clockspring can be an independant unit, or it may be incorporated into a multifunction switch. When purchased new, these units come assembled in the 'centered' position. That is to say, they are locked for installation with the wheels in the 'straight-ahead' position.

Why is it so Delicate?

The clockspring is limited in the amount of turns allowed in each direction. Some designs allow only 2-3 turns while others may allow up to 6-7 turns. Once it is forced beyond the allowed turns, the internal wires will be pulled from their connections and break. This will leave the circuits these wires control 'open' or 'shorted' and cause problems in those systems. Most often when a clockspring breaks, the airbag light will illumninate and the horn and the cruise control will not work.
As with any electrical part or wiring circuit, the potential for a short or crossed wires exists. A short in this component could cause the airbag to deploy!!


How to Center a Clockspring.

Centering a clockspring is necessary when you do not know the position the clockspring was in when it was removed. Centering it will allow you to reinstall it so that it will have equal amount of turns in each direction. When installing a clockspring, always enusre the wheels of the vehicle are in the'straight-ahead' position.

To center the clockspring, follow these 3 easy steps:

    1) With the clockspring in-hand, very gently, rotate the center in one direction until you reach a point of resistance. Do not force the turns. This is one extreme.

    2) Counting the turns, rotate the center in the opposite direction until you feel the same resistance again. This is the other extreme. (example--- 7 turns)

    3) Divide the total number of turns in half, and rotate the center section back in the original direction that number of turns (example---3 1/2 turns)

    The clockspring is now centered.

    This will allow you to install it in your vehicle knowing that you have an equal number of turns available in both the left and right directions.
If you find while rotating it that you do not reach an extreme or feel any resistance after 10-12 turns in either directions, the clockspring is most likely broken inside and should not be used.

As with any electrical part or wiring circuit, the potential for a short or crossed wires exists. A short in this component could cause the airbag to deploy!!