Faulty Clockspring? Sign you need a replacement

Faulty Clock spring?

A clock spring, a spiral cable, is crucial for maintaining the electrical connection between a vehicle’s steering wheel and various electronic components. Identifying a faulty clock spring is essential for ensuring the proper functioning of the vehicle’s safety features and steering wheel controls.

Airbag Warning Light

One of the most common signs of a faulty clock spring is when the airbag warning light stays on in the cluster. When the clock spring is faulty, the electrical connection to the airbag is defective, causing the warning light to turn on. Hence, the airbags will not work.

Steering Wheel Controls

Another symptom of a faulty clock spring is faulty steering wheel controls. If the buttons on the steering wheel that control the radio, cruise control, or other functions stop working, it may be due to a faulty unit. These controls rely on the airbag spiral cable to maintain an electrical connection while the steering wheel turns.

Strange Noises from a Faulty Airbag Spiral Cable

When turned, unusual noises from the steering wheel can also indicate a damaged clock spring. A clicking or scraping sound may suggest the spiral cable ribbon is damaged or misaligned. If not addressed promptly, this can lead to further damage.

Electrical Issues

Intermittent electrical issues are another sign. For example, the horn may work only occasionally, or the steering wheel’s heating function may turn on and off unpredictably. These issues can arise from a faulty clock spring or airbag spiral cable connection.

In some cases, there may be no apparent symptoms, but a diagnostic scan tool can reveal trouble codes related to the airbag system. These codes can help identify a fault causing the issue before it becomes more apparent.

If any of these symptoms appear,  have a professional auto electrician look at it. Replacing a faulty clock spring is crucial for maintaining the safety and functionality of the car’s steering wheel components. Ignoring the issue can lead to more significant problems and compromise the car’s safety systems.

Conclusion

If you observe any of these signs in your vehicle, it’s advisable to have the airbag spiral cable looked at and replaced by a qualified auto electrician.

We supply and fit Clock springs in Cape Town and nationwide in South Africa. CLICK HERE to see if we have the right clockspring replacement for your vehicle.

We do not repair or recommend clock spring repairs. Please read the article “Can a Clock Spring be repaired?”

CONTACT US to see how we can help you with a possible replacement.