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.
- 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.
- 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.
- After deployment, the air bag surface can contain deposits of sodium hydroxide, a product of the gas generant combustion that is irritating to the skin. Wash your hands with soap and water afterwards.
- Never probe the connectors on the air bag module. Doing so can result in air bag deployment, which can result in personal injury.
- Air bag modules will discolored or damaged trim covers must be replaced, not repaired.
- The restraint system diagnostic tool is for restraint system service only. Remove from vehicle prior to road use. Failure to remove could result in injury and possible violation of vehicle safety standards.
- 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.
- The SRS must be fully operational and free of faults before releasing the vehicle to the customer.
- Repair is made by installing a new part only. If the new part does not correct the condition, install the original part and carry out the diagnostic procedure again.
All vehicles
1. Depower the system. Service and Repair
2. Remove the two steering wheel back cover plugs (one shown).
3. Remove the two driver air bag module bolts (one shown).
4. Remove the driver air bag module.
1 Releasing the two retaining tabs, disconnect the driver air bag module electrical connector.
- Label the driver air bag module squib number on the driver air bag module electrical connector before disconnecting.
2 Releasing the two retaining tabs, disconnect the driver air bag module electrical connector.
- Label the driver air bag module squib number on the driver air bag module electrical connector before disconnecting.
3 Remove the driver air bag module.
5. NOTE: Make sure the wheels are in the straight-ahead position.
Remove the steering wheel.
6. 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.
7. Apply two strips of masking tape across the clockspring to prevent accidental rotation when the clockspring is removed.
8. Place the steering column in the full down tilt position, then remove the tilt wheel handle and shank.
9. 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.
10. Remove the lower steering column shroud.
1 Remove the retaining screws.
2 Remove the lower steering column shroud.
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. Remove the two rear steering column nuts (shown) and loosen but do not remove the two front steering column nuts (not shown).
13. Remove the upper steering column shroud.
14. Detach the passive anti-theft system (PATS) transmitter.
1 Remove the PATS transmitter retaining screw.
2 Position the PATS transmitter out of the way.
15. Remove the key-in-ignition warning indicator switch.
16. Remove the clockspring electrical connector pin-type retainers from the bracket and disconnect the electrical connectors.
17. Route the clockspring wire harness out of the wire holders along the steering column.
18. 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 CAUTION: Overturning will destroy the clockspring. The internal ribbon wire acts as the stop and can be broken from its internal connection.
While turning the rotor counterclockwise, carefully feel for the ribbon wire to run out of length and for a slight resistance. Stop turning at this point.
3 Turn the clockspring clockwise approximately three 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.
6. Position the upper steering column shroud to the steering column.
7. Install and tighten the four steering column nuts (two shown).
8. Position the clockspring electrical connector pin-type retainers into the wire connector bracket, then connect the electrical connectors.
Vehicles with column shift
9. Install the shift indicator tube.
1 Reposition the shift indicator tube and install the screw.
2 Attach the shift indicator cable.
All vehicles
10. Install the key-in-ignition warning indicator switch.
11. Install the passive anti-theft system (PATS) transmitter.
1 Position the PATS transmitter to the steering column.
2 Install the PATS transmitter retaining screw.
12. 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.
13. 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.
14. Install the tilt wheel handle and shank.
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 the retaining clips.
2 Install the bolts.
16. Install the steering wheel.
17. Connect the driver air bag module.
1 CAUTION: The clockspring electrical connectors are unique and cannot be reversed when connected to the driver air bag module. Match the electrical connector key to the keyway in the driver air bag module. Do not force the electrical connectors into the driver air bag module.
Connect the driver air bag module electrical connectors as noted during removal.
2 Position the driver air bag module to the steering wheel.
18. Install the two driver air bag module bolts (one shown).
19. Install the two steering wheel back cover plugs (one shown).
20. Repower the system. Service and Repair