Clockspring Assembly / Spiral Cable: Service and Repair
CLOCKSPRINGDiagnostic Tool, Restraint System:
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.
- The restraint system diagnostic tool is for restraint system service only. Remove from vehicle prior to road use. Failure to remove could result in injury and possible violation of vehicle safety standards.
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. Prepare the vehicle for clockspring removal.
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.
- Please refer to the appropriate component or system to determine location of the front air bag sensors.
- The side air bag sensors are located at or near the base of the B-pillar.
- 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 warnings, cautions, notes, and instructions in the supplemental restraint system (SRS) deactivation/reactivation procedure. Refer to Air Bag(s) Arming and Disarming.
Deactivate the supplemental restraint system (SRS). Refer to Air Bag(s) Arming and Disarming.
2. Remove the two steering wheel back cover plugs.
3. Remove the two driver air bag module retaining bolts.
4. Remove the driver air bag module.
1 Disconnect the driver air bag module electrical connector.
2 Remove the driver air bag module.
5. NOTE: Make sure the wheels are in the straight-ahead position.
Remove the steering wheel.
6. Apply two strips of masking tape across the clockspring to prevent accidental rotation when the clockspring is removed.
7. Remove the lower steering column shroud.
1 Remove the tilt wheel handle and shank.
2 Remove the four screws.
3 Remove the lower steering column shroud.
8. Remove the ignition switch lock cylinder.
1 Position the ignition switch lock cylinder to the RUN position.
2 Using the suitable tool, push upward on the cylinder release tab while pulling the ignition switch lock cylinder outward.
9. Raise the upper steering column shroud.
10. Remove the passive anti-theft system (PATS) transmitter.
1 Remove the PATS transmitter retaining screw.
2 Position the PATS transmitter out of the way.
11. Remove the key-in-ignition warning indicator switch.
12. Remove the two clockspring electrical connectors from the bracket. Disconnect the remaining electrical connector.
13. Remove the wire harness from its holders.
14. Remove the clockspring.
1 Pry the clockspring retaining clips loose.
2 Remove the clockspring.
INSTALLATION
WARNING: To reduce the risk of serious personal injury, read and follow all warnings, cautions and notes at the beginning of the removal procedure.
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 Depress the clockspring locking tab to release the rotor.
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 clockspring locking tab in the released position, turn the rotor counterclockwise, 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 clockspring locking tab in the released position, turn the clockspring clockwise approximately three turns. This is the center point of the clockspring.
- Release the clockspring locking tab. Do not allow the rotor to turn from this position.
All vehicles
3. NOTE: Slight turning of the clockspring rotor is allowable for alignment purposes to the steering column.
With the flats of the clockspring aligned to the flats of the steering column, slide the clockspring onto the steering column engaging the retaining tabs.
4. Route the clockspring wire harness down the side of the steering column and into the holders.
5. Remove the restraint system diagnostic tool from the vehicle harness side of the clockspring electrical connector.
6. Connect the two clockspring electrical connectors. Position the clockspring electrical connectors onto the bracket.
7. Install the key-in-ignition warning indicator switch.
8. Install the passive anti-theft system (PATS) transmitter.
1 Position the PATS transmitter to the steering column.
2 Install the screw.
9. Reposition the upper steering column shroud.
10. Install the ignition switch lock cylinder.
Vehicle repairs reusing the same clockspring
11. Remove the tape applied during clockspring removal.
All vehicles
12. Install the lower steering column shroud.
1 Position the lower steering column shroud.
2 Install the screws.
13. Install the steering wheel. Do not install the driver air bag module at this time.
14. Attach the restraint system diagnostic tool to the clockspring electrical connector at the top of the steering column.
15. Connect the battery ground cable.
16. With the restraint system diagnostic tools installed at all deployable devices, prove out the supplemental restraint system (SRS). Prove Out Procedure
17. Disconnect the battery ground cable and wait at least one minute.
18. Remove the restraint system diagnostic tool from the clockspring electrical connector at the top of the steering column.
19. Connect and position the driver air bag module to the steering wheel.
1 Connect the driver air bag module electrical connector.
2 Position the driver air bag module to the steering wheel.
20. Install the two driver air bag module bolts.
21. Install the two steering wheel back cover plugs.
22. Restore the vehicle to operating condition.
1 WARNING: To reduce the risk of serious personal injury, read and follow all warnings, cautions, notes, and instructions in the supplemental restraint system (SRS) deactivation/reactivation procedure. Refer to Air Bag(s) Arming and Disarming.
Reactivate the supplemental restraint system (SRS). Refer to Air Bag(s) Arming and Disarming.
2 WARNING: The restraint system diagnostic tool is for restraint system service only. Remove from the vehicle prior to road use. Failure to remove 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