Description

DESCRIPTION





The clockspring (2) for this vehicle is secured with three screws near the top of the steering column below the steering wheel. The clockspring consists of a flat, round molded plastic case that contains a spool-like molded plastic rotor with a large exposed hub covering the entire upper surface of the case. The rotor hub has a large center hole that engages the upper steering column shaft, and three small clearance holes that provide access to the case mounting screws. Internal and integral to the clockspring are the Steering Control Module (SCM) (also known as the steering column module/MRM) and the Steering Angle Sensor (SAS). The lower side of the rotor hub also serves as an integral molded plastic turn signal cancel cam.

A single connector receptacle on the upper surface of the rotor has pigtail wires that connect to the horn switch, the driver airbag and, on vehicles so equipped, the steering wheel switches on the steering wheel. The back (instrument panel side) of the case has a total of three integral fixed connector receptacles. One connects the clockspring and the SCM to the vehicle electrical system through the wire harness on the steering column, while the other two are direct interface connectors for the multi-function switch and the optional cruise control switch.

Within the plastic case and wound around the rotor spool is a long ribbon-like tape that consists of several thin copper wire leads sandwiched between two thin plastic membranes. The outer end of the tape terminates at the connector receptacle that faces the steering column, while the inner end of the tape terminates at the connector receptacle on the hub of the clockspring rotor that faces the steering wheel.

The service replacement clockspring with an integral SCM and SAS is shipped pre-centered and with a molded plastic locking pin installed. The locking pin secures the centered clockspring rotor to the clockspring case during shipment and handling, and must be removed after the clockspring is installed on the steering column and before the steering wheel is installed.. There are also clockspring centering instructions molded into the upper surface of the clockspring rotor.

The clockspring cannot be repaired. If the clockspring is ineffective or damaged, or if the driver airbag has been deployed, the entire clockspring including the integral SCM and SAS must be replaced as a unit.