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.
- 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:
- The SRS must be fully operational and free of faults before releasing the vehicle to the customer.
- A 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. Tilt the steering column all the way down and extend it all the way out.
2. 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 side impact sensors are attached to the rocker panels, near the seats.
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.
3. WARNING: To reduce the risk of serious personal injury, read and follow all warnings, 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.
4. Make sure the road wheels are in the straight-ahead position.
5. Remove the restraint system diagnostic tool from the clockspring electrical connector at the top of the steering column.
6. Remove the steering wheel.
7. NOTE: If the clockspring is to be reinstalled, do not allow the clockspring to turn from its removal position.
Remove the components in the order indicated in the illustration and table.
8. Attach the restraint system diagnostic tool to the vehicle harness side of the clockspring electrical connector.
9. Connect the battery ground cable.
10. With the restraint system diagnostic tools installed at all deployable devices, prove out the supplemental restraint system (SRS). Prove Out Procedure
11. Disconnect the battery ground cable and wait at least one minute.
Item 4: Tape Removal Note
1. If installing the same clockspring, apply two strips of masking tape across the clockspring to prevent accidental rotation when the clockspring is removed.
Item 9: Clockspring Removal Note
1. Remove the clockspring and the multi-function switch as an assembly.
Item 10: Multi-function Switch Removal Note
1. Release the tabs and slide the multi-function switch out of 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.
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 personal injury.
CAUTION: Make sure the road wheels are in the straight-ahead position.
NOTE: A new clockspring is supplied in a centralized position and held there with a key.
If the 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 feel for a slight resistance. Stop turning at this point.
3 Turn the clockspring clockwise approximately 2-1/2 turns. This is the center point of the clockspring.
- Do not allow the rotor to turn from this position.
2. Align the multi-function switch to the clockspring and slide the two together.
- Make sure the tabs are interlocked.
3. Remove the restraint system diagnostic tool from the vehicle harness side of the clockspring electrical connector.
4. NOTE: Make sure the negative battery cable is still disconnected before continuing with the installation portion of this procedure.
Install the components in the order indicated in the illustration and table.
5. WARNING: To reduce the risk of serious personal injury, read and follow all warnings, cautions, notes, 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.
6. Attach the restraint system diagnostic tool to the clockspring electrical connector at the top of the steering column.
7. Connect the battery ground cable.
8. With the restraint system diagnostic tools installed at all deployable devices, prove out the supplemental restraint system (SRS). Prove Out Procedure
9. Disconnect the battery ground cable and wait at least one minute.
10. Remove the restraint system diagnostic tools from the clockspring electrical connectors at the top of the steering column.
11. WARNING: To reduce the risk of serious personal injury, read and follow all warning, 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.
12. 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
Item 1: Clockspring Installation Note
1. NOTE: Slight turning of the clockspring rotor is allowable for alignment purposes to the steering column.
With the flat of the clockspring aligned to the flat of the steering column, slide the clockspring onto the steering column.
Item 6: Retaining Pin Installation Note
1. For vehicles receiving a new clockspring, remove the retaining pin.
Item 7: Tape Installation Note
1. For vehicles reusing the clockspring that was removed, remove the tape.