Clockspring Assembly / Spiral Cable: Description and Operation

Fig. 6 Contact Unit:

The contact unit, Fig.6, is located between the steering wheel and the steering column bracket.

The contact unit is used to transmit testing and firing signals to the air bag unit. It also supplies current to the horn and turn signal switches. The unit consists of a fixed and moving part. A coiled plastic strip with four conductors is located between the fixed and movable parts. The movable part can be rotated the number of turns listed on the label in either direction from the center position. If the movable part is rotated beyond these limits, the plastic coil strip may break, rendering the air bag system inoperative.