If you are having problems with the cruise control, horn or the airbag warning light is lit up, its most likely your clockspring. Here is a picture of one opened up. There are plenty of threads about the clock spring on this forum so I wont go into details, but I figured you guys would want to see how they work...
Some people have said a blast of air into it will fix it. I doubt it. If it fails, its because the ribbon cable is actually torn. Their is no moving parts or contacts to clean...
webbee
04-01-2008, 05:07 PM
I see someone else likes to tear apart his toys. Thanks for this post! I now know why it's called a clock-spring. How difficult was it to remove the parts to get to the module? I do know these are on permanent warranty for some DC (3ed gen I think) vans.
The ribbon cable looks like TV antenna wire. Is that the case or is it just the picture?
Gusaroo
04-01-2008, 05:13 PM
It was easy to swap, the hardest part was getting the steering wheel off (I didnt have a puller). Also, it takes some nerves because you are monkeying with the airbag which could be potentially dangerous. Just be sure to disconnect the battery and let it sit for a few minutes (to let the capacitors bleed off).
The cable is totally flat, like a ribbon. If you see on the end, there is a crease in the ribbon where they folded it at a 45 degree angle, you could see my copper wiring was split. Stupid design, I dont know why they fold it like that, dumb.
After I had it out, I couldnt resist seeing what was inisde...
Rick99
04-02-2008, 12:58 PM
Just be sure to disconnect the battery and let it sit for a few minutes (to let the capacitors bleed off).
Just to clarify, the "correct" procedure is to disconnect the battery and let it sit for a few minutes with the ignition key in the run position to bleed down the airbag capacitors.
