Air Bag Restraint Systems: CLOCKSPRING: Description
The clockspring assembly is secured with two screws to the multi-function switch mounting housing near the top of the steering column behind the steering wheel. See Fig 1. The clockspring consists of a flat, round molded plastic case with a stubby tail that hangs below the steering column. See Fig 2. The tail contains two connector receptacles that face toward the instrument panel. Within the plastic case is a spool-like molded plastic rotor with a large exposed hub. The upper surface of the rotor hub has a large center hole, two large flats, an index hole, two short pigtail wires with connectors, and two connector receptacles that face toward the steering wheel.
| 1 - MOUNTING EAR (2) |
| 2 - LOCKING PIN |
| 3 - UPPER CONNECTOR RECEPTACLE (2) |
| 4 - LABEL |
| 5 - OBLONG PIN |
| 6 - ALIGNMENT ARROWS |
| 7 - CASE |
| 8 - PIGTAIL WIRE (2) |
| 1 - LOCKING PIN |
| 2 - CASE |
| 3 - OBLONG PIN |
| 4 - ROUND PIN (2) |
| 5 - LOWER CONNECTOR RECEPTACLE (2) |
| 6 - ROTOR |
The lower surface of the rotor hub has three pins, two round and one oblong. These pins index the clockspring to the turn signal cancel cam unit in the multi-function switch mounting housing. 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 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 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, but must be removed from the clockspring after it and the multi-function switch mounting housing are installed on the steering column. (Refer to ELECTRICAL/RESTRAINTS/CLOCKSPRING - STANDARD PROCEDURE - CLOCKSPRING CENTERING) .
The clockspring cannot be repaired. If the clockspring is faulty, damaged, or if the driver airbag has been deployed, the clockspring must be replaced. Refer to BODY DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURES article for diagnosis and testing.