Clockspring Assembly / Spiral Cable: Service and Repair

WARNING: THE AIRBAG SYSTEM IS A SENSITIVE, COMPLEX ELECTRO-MECHANICAL UNIT. BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO DIAGNOSE OR SERVICE THE AIRBAG SYSTEM OR RELATED STEERING WHEEL, STEERING COLUMN, OR INSTRUMENT PANEL COMPONENTS YOU MUST FIRST DISCONNECT AND ISOLATE THE BATTERY NEGATIVE (GROUND) CABLE. THEN WAIT TWO MINUTES FOR THE SYSTEM CAPACITOR TO DISCHARGE BEFORE FURTHER SYSTEM SERVICE. THIS IS THE ONLY SURE WAY TO DISABLE THE AIRBAG SYSTEM. FAILURE TO DO THIS COULD RESULT IN ACCIDENTAL AIRBAG SYSTEM DEPLOYMENT AND POSSIBLE PERSONAL INJURY.

REMOVAL
1. Turn the steering wheel until the front wheels are in the straight-ahead position before starting the repair.
2. Disconnect and isolate the battery negative cable. If the airbag system is undeployed, wait two minutes for the system capacitor to discharge before further service.
3. Remove the Driver Airbag Module as described.
4. Remove the steering wheel with a steering wheel puller (Special Tool C-3428B).
5. Remove the upper and lower steering column shrouds to gain access to the clockspring wiring
6. Disconnect the two-way connector between the clockspring and the instrument panel wire harness at the base of the steering column.

7. To remove, lift the locating fingers of the clockspring assembly from the steering column as necessary. The clockspring cannot be repaired it MUST BE REPLACED, if faulty, or if the Driver Airbag Module has been deployed.

Steering Column Shrouds Remove/Install:

8.

INSTALLATION
1. When installing, snap the clockspring onto the steering column. Ensure that clockspring is in the proper positioned before installing. Refer to Adjustments for Clockspring Centering procedure.
2. Connect the clockspring wiring to the instrument panel wire harness. Be certain that the wiring locator clips are properly seated on the outside of the wiring trough and that the locking tabs are engaged.
3. Install the steering column shrouds. Be certain that the airbag wire is inside the shrouds.
4. The front wheels should still be in the straight ahead position. Install the steering wheel being certain to fit the flats on the hub of the steering wheel with the formations on the inside of the clockspring. Pull the wiring through the upper and lower holes in the steering wheel hub. Tighten the steering wheel nut to 61 Nm (45 ft. lbs.) torque. Be certain not to pinch the wiring between the steering wheel and the nut.
5. Connect the horn switch wire, then the airbag wire to the Driver Airbag Module.
6. Install the Driver airbag Module and tighten the screws to 10.2 Nm (90 in. lbs.) torque.
7. Do not connect the battery negative cable at this time. Refer to Diagnosis and Testing for Airbag System Test procedures.