Clockspring Assembly / Spiral Cable: Service and Repair

WARNING: THE BACKUP POWER SUPPLY ENERGY MUST BE DEPLETED BEFORE ANY AIR BAG COMPONENT SERVICE IS PERFORMED. TO DEPLETE THE BACKUP POWER SUPPLY ENERGY, DISCONNECT THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE AND WAIT ONE MINUTE.

Removal
1. Disconnect the positive battery cable and wait one minute for the backup power supply energy to be depleted.
2. Make sure that the vehicle's front wheels are in the straight ahead position.
3. Remove the air bag module.
4. Remove the steering wheel.
5. Remove lower right and left mouldings from instrument panel by pulling up and snapping out of retainer.
6. Remove instrument panel lower trim panel and lower steering column shroud.
7. Apply two strips of tape across the clockspring and housing to prevent accidental rotation.
8. Remove three clockspring assembly retaining screws and pull clockspring assembly off the steering column shaft.
9. Remove the clockspring ground wire screw.
10. Disconnect the clockspring electrical connector.





11. Remove the clockspring assembly.

Installation

CAUTION: If the clockspring has been accidentally rotated, the clockspring alignment must be adjusted.

NOTE: If a new clockspring assembly is being installed, the alignment is already set.

1. Make sure that the vehicle's front wheels are in the straight ahead position.
2. Install the clockspring ground wire screw.
3. Position the clockspring assembly on the steering column shaft.
4. Connect the clockspring electrical connector.
5. Install the three clockspring screws. Tighten the clockspring screws to 2-3 N.m (18-26 in-lb).
6. Remove the tape strips from the clockspring and housing.
7. Install lower shroud and instrument panel cover.
8. Install the steering wheel.
9. Install the air bag module.
10. Connect the negative battery cable.

NOTE: When the battery is disconnected and reconnected, some abnormal drive symptoms may occur while the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) relearns its adaptive strategy. The vehicle may need to be driven 10 miles or more to relearn the strategy.

11. Verify that the air bag lamp is operative.