Clockspring Assembly / Spiral Cable: Description and Operation

The clockspring assembly is mounted near the top of the steering column behind the steering wheel. The clockspring is used to maintain a continuous electrical circuit between the fixed instrument panel wire harness connector on the steering column and several electrical components that rotate with the steering wheel. The rotating components include the driver airbag, the horn switch, and the vehicle speed control switches.

The clockspring cannot be repaired. If the clockspring is faulty, damaged, or if the driver airbag has been deployed, the clockspring must be replaced.

The clockspring assembly consists of a plastic case which contains a flat, ribbon-like, electrically conductive tape that winds and unwinds like a clock spring with the steering wheel rotation. The electrically conductive tape consists of several fine gauge copper wire leads sandwiched between two narrow strips of plastic film.

Like the clockspring in a timepiece, the clockspring tape has travel limits and can be damaged by being wound too tightly. To prevent this from occurring, the clockspring is centered when it is installed on the steering column. Centering the clockspring indexes the clockspring tape to other steering components so that it can operate within its designed travel limits. However, if the clockspring is removed for service or if the steering column is disconnected from the steering gear allowing the clockspring tape to change position relative to the other steering components, it must be re-centered following completion of the service or it may be damaged. Refer to Electrical, Restraints, Clockspring, Standard Procedure - Clockspring Centering.