Basic Things To Know About Your Vehicle's Clock Spring
What Is Clock Spring?
A clock spring is a device which would contain a wound-up wire inside and would then allow the airbag, horn and steering wheel buttons to stay connected as the car steering wheel would be rotated so that it can make left as well as right turns. Irrespective of the angle which you would turn your steering wheel, a contact would always be maintained between the airbag as well as the airbag control module.
Where Is Clock Spring Located?
The
clock spring would be generally situated in the steering column and it would be
mounted right underneath the steering wheel. There would be wires in the clock
spring which would connect to the airbag and steering wheel buttons and on the
opposite side would have an electrical wire harness which would be plugged into
it.
How Does A Clock Spring Work?
Are
you searching how do the clock spring actually work? Then all you have to do is
to have a look below and then you will be able to understand everything.
There
would be a clock spring at one end and then on the other hand would be a
conductive ribbon. It is the airbag as
well as the steering wheel electrical systems which would connect through them.
The clock springs would help in operating the systems which are required for
turning the signals, the horn, cruise control and more. The conductive ribbon
would be imprinted with circuitry which would allow the currents to move freely
through the channels as the car wheels would rotate.
Frequent Problems with Clock Spring
Do you want to know some frequent problems which might start occurring
in the clock spring? Take a look below to know some frequent problems with the clock spring:
The clock springs might start becoming defective with the age as well as
due to electrical ribbons and their connections wearing thin. They might also
start failing if they would not be restored after a car crash in which the
airbag has been deployed.
Common signs you have faulty clock spring include:
- There might be an illumination of the
SRS/Airbag light
- There might be no sound when hitting the horn
- Noises might start coming from the steering
column
Symptoms of A Bad or Failing Clock Spring
There are a few things which might cause your clock spring to
malfunction. Watch for the following symptoms if you suspect a bad clock spring:
Airbag light is on
The first and the foremost symptom is that the airbag or SRS light might
start turning on. It is a common issue which is generally caused by a faulty
clock spring. Now if the airbag system would be scanned by utilizing the
diagnostic scanner, then any of the following errors might start coming up:
- Driver airbag squib circuit high resistance
- Airbag circuit resistance too high
- Driver side air bag circuit high resistance or
open
- Driver squib circuit open!
Horn doesn't work
- Another symptom which would be associated with
some flaws in the clock spring would be that there might be some issues
with the car horn. The car horn might not function properly.
Cruise control switch does not work
- There are some models where the cruise control
would be mounted on the steering wheel. If that would be the case, the
cruise control wires would be routed via the clock spring.
Steering wheel buttons don't work
- Another symptom of faulty clock spring would
be that the car steering wheel button would not work properly. Is your car
radio as well as stereo working properly, but still you are not able to
change the volume, change stations or control the radio from the steering
wheel? Are you no longer able to answer phone calls or hang up utilizing
your steering wheel buttons? Then you must get checked as soon as
possible.
ESP / ETS / TCS light on
- These systems would need steering angle
position and on particular automobiles, which would function is the integrated
on the clock spring.
Tools Needed for Clock Spring
If you want to repair your Clock Spring all by yourself, then let’s face
it that you will need some auto body tools. You can always start by building
your own tool chest. Searching for some tools needed to repair your Clock
Spring? Don’t Worry! We are here to help you out. Here are some common tools
that you will probably end up needing while repairing your Clock Spring.
Top Brands for Clock Spring
Most of the people have a nature to avoid risk and seek safety. That is the reason why they would go with a familiar auto parts brand than a new one. It would prove to be safe and they know what to expect. Have a look at our top brands for Clock Spring which would offer safety and at the same time decrease the risk of disappointment.
| Dorman (OE Solutions) Clock Spring | Blue Streak (Hygrade Motor) Clock Spring |
Related Parts of Clock Spring
It is very important to arm yourself with information before you shop
any auto part. We are here to help you dive deep into the names of the Clock
Spring related parts.
- Steering Swivel Pin
- Steering Damper Bushing
- Steering Coupling Nut Spring
- Steering Coupling Bushing
- Steering Coupling Assembly
- Pump Pulley Cover
Total Costs & Repair Times, Effort for Clock Spring
Clock
Spring replacement cost can differ wildly depending on application, the brand
of the Clock Spring as well as who does the work. All you have to do is to
replace your faulty Clock Spring with us online and then you can leave your car
to the mechanic and pick it up a few days later. Just be sure that the car
mechanic is highly skilled and has a good reputation. Sometimes the additional
service level might cost you more than what you have expected. We also recommend
you to take pictures of your car before you leave it with them so that you are
sure that later on it is returned back to you in an unharmed condition. The
average cost of replacing a clock spring can be between $500-$1200.
How to Change Clock Spring?
Do you want to change your clock spring on your own? Then have a look at
the steps of changing
the clock spring below:
Removal
Instructions
Step 1
First of all it is essential to disconnect the negative (-) battery
terminal.
Step 2
Then you should wait at least 5 minutes to ensure the airbag system has
de-energized properly.
Step 3
You should make certain to ground yourself; this can be done by touching
a metal part of the automobile before you start working on the airbag system.
Step 4
You should utilize a pick, so that you can insert into the hole on the
side of the steering wheel so that the steering wheel airbag can be released.
Step 5
After that the steering wheel airbag should be removed.
Step 6
The airbag assembly electrical connectors should be disconnected and
then the steering wheel airbag should be carefully set aside.
Step 7
A 21mm socket should be utilized, then remove the steering wheel
retaining nut.
Step 8
After that the steering wheel should be removed.
Step 9
A flat blade screwdriver, pick, or other non-marring tool should be used
to release the upper and lower steering column covers.
Step 10
Then the upper and lower trim cover should be removed. The pliers or picks should be utilized to remove the clock spring retaining ring.
Step 11
The clock spring should be pulled outward from steering wheel.
Step 12
The wire connector bundles should be positioned and then wire segregator
clip 1/2” should be carefully installed.
Step 13
You should utilize a small flat-blade screwdriver, and then pry clock
spring cover tabs off.
Step 14
Then the connector bundles from existing clock spring should be
dislodged.
Step 15
You should then remove the orange bands from each of the wire bundles by
utilizing a small flat-blade screwdriver or pick
Step 16
The ribbon connector should then be carefully peeled from each wire
bundle.
Installation
Instructions
Step 1
The new clock spring should be positioned so that the curved surface of
the connector channels would match that of the wire segregator. The orange stop
clip should not be removed until Step 7.
Step 2
The wire bundles should be inserted into appropriate new clock spring
channel, making sure that a faint click would be heard.
Step 3
The colours of the wires should match the sticker on the clock spring.
Step 4
A head screwdriver should be used, and then the cover should be
installed starting with the middle screw. The tightening screws should be
alternate until the cover would be secured and then it should be flushed with
the housing. The torque which is recommended for each screw would be 3 liens.
Step 5
The clock spring on steering wheel should then be replaced.
Step 6
Pliers should be used to reinstall clock spring retaining ring.
Step 7
An orange stop clip from the clock spring should be removed.
Step 8
A 21mm socket should be utilized, and then the steering wheel retaining
nut should be attached.
Step 9
The airbag assembly electrical connectors should then be reconnected.
Step 10
The upper and lower trim cover should then be replaced.
Step 11
The ignition key should then be turned on.
Step 12
After that the negative (-) battery terminal should be reconnected.
Step 13
Make sure that there should be no illumination in the airbag light.
Step 14
Just check and then verify if all the steering wheel controls are
functioning in a right manner or not.
Step 15
If there would be the appearance of the airbag light or its remains
would be illuminated or any wheel accessory controls would not function, then
the connections should be verified.
Step 16
Now if this condition would not be corrected, then there would be some
issues with the column harness or another part of the airbag system.
