Clockspring Assembly / Spiral Cable: Description and Operation

The clockspring assembly is secured to the multi-function switch mounting housing near the top of the steering column behind the steering wheel.

Within the plastic case and wound around the rotor spool is a long ribbon-like tape. The outer end of the tape terminates at the connector receptacles that face the instrument panel, while the inner end of the tape terminates at the pigtail wires and connector receptacles on the hub of the clockspring rotor that face the steering wheel.

Service replacement clocksprings are shipped precentered and with a molded plastic locking pin installed. The locking pin secures the centered clockspring rotor to the clockspring case during shipment and handling, but must be removed from the clockspring after it and the multi-function switch mounting housing are installed on the steering column.

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 is used to provide continuous electrical continuity between the instrument panel and the electrical components mounted on or in the steering wheel. The clockspring case is secured to the top of the steering column. The connector receptacle on the tail of the fixed clockspring case connect the clockspring to the vehicle electrical system through a single four pin connector (yellow) to the instrument panel wire harness.

The clockspring rotor is movable and is keyed to the hub of the steering wheel by two large flats that are molded into the rotor hub. The three pins (two round and one oblong) on the lower surface of the clockspring rotor hub engage and index the clockspring rotor to the turn signal cancel cam. The turn signal cancel cam is integral to the multi-function switch mounting housing and is keyed to the upper steering column shaft. The short, black-sleeved yellow pigtail wire on the upper surface of the clockspring rotor connect the clockspring to the driver airbag, while a steering wheel wire harness connects the two connector receptacles on the upper surface of the clockspring rotor to the horn switch.




Like the clockspring in a timepiece, the clockspring tape has travel limits and can be damaged by being wound too tightly during full stop-to-stop steering wheel rotation. 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 the movable steering components so that the tape can operate within its designed travel limits. However, if the clockspring is removed from the steering column or if the steering shaft is disconnected from the steering gear, the clockspring spool can change position relative to the movable steering components and must be re-centered following completion of the service or the tape may be damaged.

Service replacement clocksprings are shipped precentered and with a locking pin installed. This locking pin should not be removed until the clockspring has been installed on the steering column. If the locking pin is removed before the clockspring is installed on a steering column, the clockspring centering procedure must be performed.