Clockspring Assembly / Spiral Cable: Service and Repair

Clockspring

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.

WARNING: 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.

WARNING: 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.

WARNING: To reduce the risk of personal injury, do not use any memory saver devices.

NOTE: The air bag warning lamp illuminates when the RCM fuse is removed and the ignition switch is ON. This is normal operation and does not indicate a supplemental restraint system (SRS) fault.

NOTE: The SRS must be fully operational and free of faults before releasing the vehicle to the customer.

NOTE: Repair is made by installing a new part only. If the new part does not correct the condition, install the original part and perform the diagnostic procedure again.

All vehicles

1. Depower the system. For additional information, Service and Repair

2. NOTE: Make sure the wheels are in the straight-ahead position.

Remove the steering wheel (3600).

3. Remove the lower steering column opening cover with reinforcement.
1. Remove the bolts.
2. Pull out to release the retaining clips and remove the lower steering column opening cover with reinforcement.






4. Apply two strips of masking tape across the clockspring to prevent accidental rotation when the clockspring is removed.






5. Place the steering column in the full down tilt position, then remove the tilt wheel handle and shank.






6. Remove the ignition switch lock cylinder.
1 Position the ignition switch lock cylinder to the RUN position.
2 Using a suitable tool, push upward on the cylinder release tab while pulling the ignition switch lock cylinder outward.






7. Remove the lower steering column shroud.
1 Remove the retaining screws.
2 Remove the lower steering column shroud.






8. Remove the upper steering column shroud.






9. Detach the Passive Anti-theft System (PATS) transmitter.
1 Remove the PATS transmitter retaining screw.
2 Position the PATS transmitter out of the way.






10. Remove the key-in-ignition warning indicator switch.






Vehicles with column shift

11. Detach the shift indicator tube.
1 Remove the shift indicator cable.
2 Remove the screw and position out the shift indicator tube.






All vehicles

12. Disconnect clockspring electrical connector pin-type retainers from the bracket.






13. Route the clockspring wire harness out of the wire holders along the steering column.

14. Remove the clockspring.
1 Pry the clockspring retaining clips to release them from the steering column.
2 With the retaining clips released, remove the clockspring.






INSTALLATION

Vehicles receiving a new clockspring

1. NOTE: A new clockspring is supplied in a centralized position and held there with a key.

Remove the key from the clockspring, holding the rotor in its centralized position.
^ Do not allow the clockspring rotor to turn.

Vehicles needing clockspring recentering

2. 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: If a clockspring has rotated out of center, follow through with this step.

Centralize the clockspring.
1. Hold the clockspring outer housing stationary.
2. Push and release the anti-rotation tab.
3. CAUTION: Overturning will destroy the clockspring. The internal ribbon wire acts as the stop and can be broken from its internal connection.

While holding the anti-rotation tab in the released position, turn the rotor counterclockwise, carefully feeling for the ribbon wire to run out of length, and a slight resistance is felt. Stop turning at this point.
4. While holding the anti-rotation tab in the released position, turn the clockspring clockwise approximately 3 turns. This is the center point of the clockspring.
- Do not allow the rotor to turn from this position.






Vehicle repairs reusing the same clockspring

3. NOTE: When the tape is removed, do not allow the clockspring to turn.

Remove the tape applied during clockspring removal.

All vehicles

4. Install the clockspring onto the steering column.
1 Align the clockspring onto the steering column.
2 Engage the clockspring retaining clips to the steering column.






5. Route the clockspring wire harness into the wire holders along the steering column.

Vehicles with column shift

6. Install the shift indicator tube.
1 Reposition the shift indicator tube and install the screw.
2 Attach the shift indicator cable.






All vehicles

7. Position the clockspring electrical connector pin-type retainers into the wire connector bracket, then connect the electrical connectors.






8. Install the key-in-ignition warning indicator switch.






9. Install the passive anti-theft system (PATS) transmitter.
1 Position the PATS transmitter to the steering column.
2 Install the PATS transmitter retaining screw.






10. Position the upper steering column shroud to the steering column.






11. Install the lower steering column shroud.
1 Align the lower steering column shroud to the steering column and the upper steering column shroud.
2 Install the retaining screws.






12. Install the ignition switch lock cylinder.
^ Align and install the ignition switch lock cylinder to the steering column.
^ Position the ignition switch lock cylinder to the OFF position.






13. Install the tilt wheel handle and shank.






14. If using the same clockspring, remove the tape.






15. Install the lower steering column opening cover with reinforcement.
1. Position the lower steering column opening cover with reinforcement to the instrument panel and push in at the top seating and retaining clips.
2. Install the bolts. 7 Nm (62 lb in).






16. Install the steering wheel.

17. Repower the system. For additional information, Service and Repair