What causes a broken clock spring?
What causes a broken clock spring?
Clocksprings wear in time or become damaged during repairs to the steering column, or when removing a rack and pinion gear, gearbox, or coupling. If the steering wheel is allowed to spin freely, the clockspring’s connection may break, resulting in an open circuit and an illuminated airbag light.
Can a broken clock spring reset an airbag light?
So as it turns out, even if one of the airbags has an open circuit code from a broken clock spring and throws a hard code, you do not have to use a handheld scan tool to reset the light. I’m sure there are some codes that require it, but codes thrown from a broken clock spring do not.
What causes a clock spring to go bad?
This part can go bad when these wires become fatigued and break causing a short or open circuit. If repairs are being done which involve the removal of the steering wheel and the clock spring and it is mistreated by over extending the internal wires it will also break the clock spring.
When to replace the clock spring in a car?
Since the clock spring is responsible for two safety devices including the horn and airbag safety system it is highly advised to replace the clock spring with a new unit as soon as possible.
What’s the connection between the cruise and clock spring?
I checked to make sure there was continuity between the black wire on the left side cruise module connector, and the black wire on the right side cruise module connector. Then, I checked continuity between the white wire on the left side cruise module connector, and the white wire on the right side cruise module connector.
Can a broken clock spring affect the steering wheel?
Typically a broken clock spring only affects components that are attached to the steering wheel. This is because the clock spring is a special wire that allows the connection to be maintained as the steering wheel rotates. If the turn signals are mounted on the steering column, they are probably not affected by a bad clock spring.
So as it turns out, even if one of the airbags has an open circuit code from a broken clock spring and throws a hard code, you do not have to use a handheld scan tool to reset the light. I’m sure there are some codes that require it, but codes thrown from a broken clock spring do not.
Where is the clock spring on a car?
The clock spring is usually located on the steering column behind the steering wheel. Almost every road going vehicle with a steering wheel has one of these devices. However, if your vehicle has no airbag, steering wheel controls, or horn buttons, you may not have a clock spring.
Can a broken clock spring be reinstalled?
Reinstall the clock spring in the same neutral position. If you were to spin the clock spring a rotation or two and then reinstall it, you may not have enough slack in the internal ribbon before the steering wheel hits full lock. In this case, you run the risk of stretching or breaking the internal wires and damaging a perfectly good clock spring.