Clockspring

Clockspring:

CLOCK SPRING
The clockspring assembly is secured with two integral plastic latches onto the steering column lock housing near the top of the steering column behind the steering wheel. The clockspring consists of a flat, round molded plastic case with a stubby tail that hangs below the steering column and contains two connector receptacles that face toward the instrument panel. Within the plastic housing 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, and two or three short pigtail wires with connectors. The third pigtail wire is used on vehicles equipped with the optional speed control system. The lower surface of the rotor hub has a molded plastic turn signal cancel cam consisting of two lobes that are molded into the rotor. 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 on the hub of the clockspring rotor that face the steering wheel.

Service replacement clocksprings are shipped precentered and with a locking pin that snaps into a receptacle on the rotor and is engaged between two tabs on the upper surface of the rotor case. The locking pin secures the centered clockspring rotor to the clockspring case during shipment, but the locking pin must be removed from the clockspring after it is installed on the steering column.

The clockspring cannot be repaired. If the clockspring is faulty damaged, or if the driver airbag has been deployed, the clockspring must be replaced.

The clockspring is a mechanical electrical circuit component that is used to provide continuous electrical continuity between the fixed cross body wire harness on the steering column and the electrical components mounted on or in the rotating steering wheel. On this model the rotating electrical components include the driver airbag, the horn switch, and the speed control switches if the vehicle is so equipped. The clockspring case is positioned and secured to the upper steering column housing near the top of the steering column. The connector receptacles on the tail of the fixed clockspring case connect the clockspring to the vehicle electrical system through two take outs with connectors from the cross body wire harness. The clockspring rotor is movable and is keyed by two flats molded into the rotor hub to two flats that are cast into the lower surface of the steering wheel armature. The two lobes on the turn signal cancel cam on the lower surface of the clockspring rotor hub contact a turn signal cancel actuator of the multi-function switch to provide automatic turn signal cancellation. The pigtail wires on the upper surface of the clockspring rotor connect the clockspring to the driver airbag, the horn switch, and the steering wheel wire harness for the two speed control switches if the vehicle is so equipped.

Like the clockspring in a timepiece, the clockspring tape has travel limits and can be damaged by being wound too tightly during full stop-to-stop steering wheel rotation. To prevent this from occurring, the clockspring is centered when it is installed on the steering column. Centering the clockspring indexes the clockspring tape to the movable steering components so that the tape can operate within its designed travel limits. However, if the clockspring is removed from the steering column or if the steering shaft is disconnected from the steering gear, the clockspring spool can change position relative to the movable steering components and must be re-centered following completion of the service or the tape may be damaged. Service replacement clocksprings are shipped pre-centered and with a plastic locking pin installed. This locking pin should not be disengaged until the clockspring has been installed on the steering column. If the locking pin is removed or damaged before the clockspring is installed on a steering column, the clockspring centering procedure must be performed.