Car ClockSpring: What It Is, How It Works, & When to Replace It

The clockspring is part of the steering wheel that helps keep the steering wheel’s electrical components: airbag, horn, and steering wheel buttons: connected to the rest of the vehicle. It is a coiled wire wound around and housed in a protective casing. As the steering wheel is turned, the clockspring uncoils and recoils, allowing the ribbon cable to wind and unwind without breaking. Over time, the clockspring can wear out or become damaged, leading to issues with the steering column’s airbag or other electrical components. One of the most common symptoms of a faulty clockspring is an airbag light that will not turn off.

What does the clockspring do?

A clockspring is a device that contains a wound-up wire (ribbon cable) that allows the airbag, horn, and steering wheel buttons to stay connected to the rest of the vehicle as the steering wheel is rotated.

How much does it cost to replace a clockspring?

Replacing a clockspring at the dealership or mechanic can cost anywhere between $500 and $1200. However, replacement clocksprings can be easily purchased online, and replacing the clockspring yourself is a relatively simple procedure that can save you money.

How do I know if my clockspring is broken?

Clocksprings frequently fail on all makes and models and, as a result, can cause the airbag light or SRS light to come on. When you run a full system scan on your vehicle, you almost always will have a fault code that directly or indirectly points to a faulty clockspring. If you notice the buttons on your steering wheel are not responding, this could also be a sign that your clockspring is broken. In the example below, fault codes point to open circuits for the driver’s airbag and the circuit for the steering wheel control buttons. These fault codes were all caused by a defective clockspring.

 Here is a list of the most common problems you may experience when the clockspring fails.

• Airbag light is on  A common problem often caused by a defective clockspring. If you scan the airbag system using a YOUCANIC Full System diagnostic scanner, you may get any of the following errors:
  • Driver Airbag Squib Circuit High Resistance
  • Airbag circuit resistance is too high
  • Driver Side Air Bag Circuit High Resistance or Open
  • Driver squib circuit open!
• Horn doesn’t work  Sometimes, a bad clockspring can cause the horn to stop working.
• The cruise control switch does not work  On some models, the cruise control is mounted on the steering wheel. If so, the cruise control wires are routed via the clockspring.
• Steering wheel buttons don’t workYour radio or stereo may perform adequately, but you can no longer adjust the volume, change stations, or control the radio from the steering wheel. You can no longer answer phone calls or hang up using your steering wheel buttons.
• A rubbing noise when you turn the steering wheel is one of the early warning signs that the clockspring is starting to fail.
• ESP / ETS / TCS light on  These systems require steering angle position, and on certain vehicles, that function is integrated inside the clockspring.

The clockspring may be defective if you have one or more symptoms.

Can a clockspring be repaired?

Most clocksprings cannot be repaired successfully. In addition, the proper operation of the airbags is dependent on a working clockspring. Therefore, most auto repair shops will not fix a faulty clockspring. Instead, once the clockspring fails, it is recommended that it be replaced.

Clocksprings are fairly inexpensive parts, so there is no reason to repair an old one instead of simply replacing it. Plus, in the event of an accident, a faulty clockspring will not deploy the airbag, leading to an increased risk of injury.

Where is the clockspring located in a car?

The clockspring is in the steering column, mounted right underneath the steering wheel. It has wires that connect to the airbag and steering wheel buttons and, on the opposite side, an electrical wire harness plugged into it.

How does a clockspring work?

What happens when the clockspring starts to fail?

The wiring inside of a clockspring wears out over time, leading to system errors like the airbag or SRS light turning on. With these lights on, the steering wheel airbag might not deploy during a crash, so it is very important to fix the issue right away.

Sometimes, the issue is a result of a malfunctioning steering angle sensor. The steering angle sensor function determines the steering wheel’s position. Vehicles with traction control come with a steering angle sensor integrated with the clockspring. You may need an OBD-II scanner to reset the steering angle sensor.

This data is used by traction control or ABS and other systems such as ESC / ESP / TCS. The steering wheel position is reported in degrees, and if you turn the steering wheel one complete revolution, the angle will be +/-360 degrees. Seven hundred twenty degrees for two steering wheel revolutions to the right and -720 for two complete steering wheel revolutions to the left.

How to Replace a ClockSpring

Our auto repair videos show many examples of how to replace a vehicle’s clockspring. Note that these instructions vary depending on the make and model. Always disconnect the battery and wait 5 minutes before replacing or disconnecting airbag restraint system components.

Once the clockspring has been replaced, you may need to clear the airbag module codes if your SRS/airbag was on.

1. Disconnect the battery

Remove the driver’s airbag.

Remove the steering wheel

Remove the old clockspring

Install the new clockspring. To properly install a new clockspring, see our guide: The Right Way to Set a ClockSpring.
Make sure the wheels are pointed straight forward before you remove the old clockspring. Find the center position of the clockspring. You can turn the clockspring to the left and stop when you feel slight resistance. Then, turn it to the right and count the total turns. Let’s say you get six full turns. Now divide the number of turns by two. Spin the clockspring three turns back, and you should be in the center.

Calibrate the steering angle sensor. You may need an OBD-II scanner, such as the YOUCANIC UCAN-II Pro, to calibrate the steering angle sensor if the ABS traction control light turns on in your instrument cluster.

You will need a diagnostic scanner to read multiple systems, not just the ECU, to diagnose the clockspring. The YOUCANIC UCAN-II Pro can read multiple systems of any vehicle. Most generic OBD-II scanners only read the check engine light and cannot read airbag or steering angle sensor data.

The airbag warning is the part to take seriously

A failed clock spring usually announces itself with dead steering wheel buttons or a horn that will not sound, which are annoyances. The airbag light that comes with it is not. The clock spring carries the electrical connection to the driver’s airbag, and when that circuit is broken the system disables the airbag rather than risk firing it incorrectly. It will not deploy in a crash.

That makes this a repair worth doing promptly rather than living with, however minor the other symptoms feel.

Center the wheel before fitting the new one

A clock spring is a coiled ribbon with a limited number of turns in each direction. New ones come locked in the centered position, and if that lock is released or the steering is turned while the unit is out of the car, it can be fitted off center. It then runs out of travel at full lock and tears, failing again within weeks.

Work with the wheels pointed straight ahead, do not rotate the steering while the wheel is removed, and leave the centring lock in place until the new unit is bolted up.

Disconnect the battery and wait before touching the airbag, and once everything is back together expect the airbag light to need clearing with a scan tool. A full system scanner reads and clears SRS codes, which a basic OBD2 reader cannot do.

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