Can you drive with a broken clock spring?
A bad clock spring can afflict you with more than broken volume controls. You could be left without cruise control, a functioning horn, or most importantly, a functioning airbag. In this situation, you would be unable to alert an inattentive driver and the airbag may not deploy in the event of a collision.
How much does it cost to replace a clock spring?
For a clock spring, the parts alone will cost $80 to $150; however, if a professional mechanic is going to replace the clock spring for you, the average job will cost anywhere from $200 to as much as $400.
What is the purpose of clock spring?
In vehicle steering systems a clock spring or clockspring is a spiral-wound special rotary electrical connector which allows a vehicle’s steering wheel to turn while still making an electrical connection between the steering wheel airbag and/or the vehicle’s horn and other devices and the vehicle’s electrical systems.
What causes a clock spring to go bad?
The clock spring is designed to last the life of the car but because of the constant wear and tear of the internal wiring by the motion of the steering wheel going back and forth the entire time the car is in operation they can fail within 80,000 miles.
Can you remove a clock spring?
Remove SRS Airbag Control Module Bolts. Remove the SRS Airbag Control Module from the Steering Wheel (make sure you disconnect any electrical connectors) Remove the nut that is connecting the steering wheel to the column. Once the steering wheel has been removed, you can remove the clock spring.
What does the clock spring control?
How do you test a bad clock spring?
Simple Trick for Clock Spring Continuity Check
- Disconnect battery (wait several minutes)
- Pull airbag and steering wheel.
- Remove the plastic covers around the steering column stalks.
- Follow the wires from the clock spring into the dash and locate the airbag connector – green/blue and green/red wires.
What’s another name for a clock spring?
Alternative names for the clock springs are clock spring coil, coil assembly, cable reel assembly, coil spring unit and contact reel.
Do you need to replace clock spring?
Signs Your Clock Spring Needs Repair Clock springs may become faulty with age due to electrical ribbons and their connections wearing thin. They also are likely to fail if they are not replaced after a car crash in which the airbag was deployed.
How does a clock spring work on a car?
Clock spring (clockspring) is a device that contains a wound-up wire (ribbon cable) inside and allows the airbag, horn, and steering wheel buttons to stay connected as the steering wheel is rotated as you turn the steering wheel left and right.
Where does the clock spring get its name?
This device is sometimes referred to as a spiral cable, airbag clock spring, steering wheel clock spring, clock spring assembly, cable reel, or contact reel, depending on the vehicle and where you live. The clock spring is not really a spring at all, but it gets its name from the look of the coiled ribbon inside the housing.
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.
How is the clock spring attached to the air bag?
The wires from the airbag electrical system connect through the base of the clock spring’s electrical connector to the end of the conductive ribbon. The other end of the ribbon is attached through the wires on the top of the clock spring’s electrical connector to the air bag unit.