Ever wonder how the electronics in your steering wheel maintain their connection when you can turn the steering wheel several times in each direction?
If normal wires were run to the steering wheel controls, they would eventually get tangled up and break, just from everyday use. This is exactly what a clock spring is designed to prevent.
Because the airbag in your steering wheel is dependent on a functional clock spring, it’s crucial that the clock spring is in good working condition. Keep reading to understand how a clock spring works, what symptoms of a broken clock spring are, and the average replacement cost is.
What is a Clock Spring?
A clock spring is a coil of flat wires wound inside an assembly in the steering wheel. One part of the outer assembly follows the steering wheel, and the other part attaches to the steering column.
This device is sometimes referred to as a spiral cable, airbag clock spring, steering wheel clock spring, clock spring assembly, cable reel, or contact reel, depending on the vehicle and where you live.
The clock spring is not really a spring at all, but it gets its name from the look of the coiled ribbon inside the housing. This coiled ribbon resembles the shape of a spiral torsion spring, but does not compress and release stored energy the way an actual spring would.
What Does a Clock Spring Do?
As you turn the steering wheel, the coil of wires within the clock spring winds and unwinds, maintaining an electrical connection for the airbag and steering wheel controls.
Regardless of how much you turn the steering wheel and in what direction, you always keep a connection between the airbag control module and steering wheel airbag, the radio and its steering wheel controls, the horn button and the car horn, and any other buttons or controls on the steering wheel to what they operate.
You may be thinking that the clock spring plays a role in returning the steering wheel to a neutral position, but this is not the case. The reason a steering wheel returns to its centered position when you let go of the wheel is because of the vehicle’s caster angle, not the clock spring.
Most vehicles have a positive caster angle. When the front wheels are turned, a positive caster angle puts force on the front tires that makes them want to return to their neutral position, pointed straight ahead.
Since the steering wheel is directly connected to the tires, the steering wheel is affected by this centering force. Besides, a real spring this small would likely not be able to overcome the inertia of most vehicles’ steering assemblies.
Where is the Clock Spring Located?
The clock spring is usually located on the steering column behind the steering wheel. Almost every road going vehicle with a steering wheel has one of these devices.
However, if your vehicle has no airbag, steering wheel controls, or horn buttons, you may not have a clock spring.
Bad Clock Spring Symptoms
1) Airbag Warning Light
One of the most common signs of a broken clock spring is the airbag warning light on your dashboard. If the electrical connection within the clock spring is faulty, it may cause the airbag light to illuminate, signaling an issue with your vehicle’s safety features.
2) Traction Control and Stability Control Lights
In some cases, a faulty clock spring may also cause the traction control or stability control light (ie: Service AdvanceTrac) to turn on in your instrument cluster. This indicates that the clock spring is unable to properly relay information between the steering wheel and the vehicle’s control modules.
3) Steering Wheel Buttons
Another sign of a clock spring malfunction is steering wheel buttons that don’t work properly. You may notice that the horn, media controls, or other buttons on your steering wheel either are unresponsive or work intermittently.
As with warning lights, these issues can arise when the electrical connection within the clock spring is compromised.
4) Intermittent Warnings and Button Functionality
Sometimes the symptoms above (warning lights and steering wheel buttons or horn) will work when the steering wheel is in one position, but stop working as soon as you touch or turn the steering wheel. An intermittent connection could manifest as a flickering warning light or sporadic, inconsistent functionality.
5) Grinding Noise
A grinding or scraping noise coming from inside the steering wheel whenever you turn it is another sign of a bad clock spring. This noise usually occurs when the clock spring is damaged or worn, allowing metal or plastic components to come into contact with each other as the steering wheel is turned.
6) Steering Wheel is Hard to Turn
In some cases, a frayed or broken ribbon cable could get stuck between each half of the clock spring’s casing, which would make the steering wheel a bit harder to turn.
If you notice these symptoms it is best to address the issue as soon as possible. A bad clock spring can afflict you with more than broken volume controls.
You could be left without cruise control, a functioning horn, or most importantly, a functioning airbag. In this situation, you would be unable to alert an inattentive driver and the airbag may not deploy in the event of a collision.
Some vehicles also use the angle of the steering wheel for traction or stability control calculations. A broken clock spring will leave these systems in a degraded state, if they continue to function at all.
Clock Spring Replacement Cost
We recommend Parts Geek for the best prices and selection.
Clock springs are relatively inexpensive, running between $100 and $200 depending on the vehicle. Labor is fairly straightforward and should take 1-2 hours; expect to pay up to $400 in labor.
If you attempt to replace the clock spring yourself, it is very important that you follow the manufacturer’s instructions for safely disabling the airbag. Failure to do so could lead to an airbag detonation that may cause serious injury or death.
Consult your vehicle’s factory service manual for details on this procedure. At the very least, the instructions will likely ask you to disconnect the battery and wait at least 10 minutes to ensure the airbag system has been disarmed.
See Also: Average Airbag Replacement Costs
Possible Causes of Clock Spring Failure
While most people will likely never face a clock spring issue, there are several factors that can lead to its failure:
- Normal Wear and Tear – Clock springs are designed to last for quite some time, but they aren’t built to last forever. As you use your vehicle, the constant turning of the steering wheel can cause the clock spring to wear out over time.
- Dust and Debris – As you drive, dust and debris can accumulate on the clock spring, making it have to work harder. This can eventually lead to failure.
- Physical Damage – Accidents or other sudden impacts can cause damage to the clock spring. This can lead to malfunction or even complete failure of the component.
- Moisture – Some clock springs are not properly sealed, which can allow moisture to get inside and damage the internal components. This isn’t as common as normal wear and tear, but it’s still something to watch out for.
- Improper Installation – If you or someone else replaced the clock spring and it was not done correctly, that can cause the clock spring to fail prematurely.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a Clock Spring Be Repaired?
While it is sometimes possible to repair a damaged clock spring, it is generally better to buy a new one.
Clock springs are cheap, and it’s important to have a reliable unit since they may be involved with the correct function of the driver’s airbag, the horn, cruise control, and traction and stability control systems.
Can You Re-use a Clock Spring?
If you remove the clock spring while performing a repair, it is often possible to reuse the clock spring. Remove the clock spring while the steering wheel is in a neutral position and be sure not to turn the clock spring after you remove it. Reinstall the clock spring in the same neutral position.
If you were to spin the clock spring a rotation or two and then reinstall it, you may not have enough slack in the internal ribbon before the steering wheel hits full lock. In this case, you run the risk of stretching or breaking the internal wires and damaging a perfectly good clock spring.
If the airbag has deployed, it is best to replace the clock spring with a new unit.
Can a Faulty Clock Spring Affect Turn Signals, Hazard Lights, or Windshield Wipers?
No it will not. While the clock spring would affect any buttons or switches on the steering wheel itself, turn signals and windshield wiper controls. The vehicle’s multi-function switch would be a possible cause in those cases.
- Power Windows Not Working? (10 Common Causes and How to Fix) - February 8, 2024
- 14 Causes of a Car Losing Power When Accelerating - January 23, 2024
- 13 Causes of Poor Gas Mileage (Increase Your MPG) - December 13, 2023
Could clockspring be the problem?
Recently, my 2013 Veloster turbo transmission started slipping: switching from auto to manual, downshifting, etc. putting into manual from auto or reverse corrects the problem until the next incident. Prior to this issue, I ignored the lose of the horn, volume controls, cruise control, paddle shifters, all things connected to steering wheel.
The question is, could they be related? Bad clock spring ignored lead to the electrical issues and entire car is electrically controlled. The transmission system up shifts or downshifts on its own as a safeguard- it’s built to do that. Could widespread electrical issues stem from clock spring/ steering wheel?
I doubt a bad clock spring could cause those transmission issues.
2014 hybred crosstrek nothing on steering wheel works but the down paddle for transmission what is the problem
Thank you very much
Rich
Could be a bad clock spring.
My AC is not working properly. It goes on and off and temperature acting up. I took it for inspection and they told me that the clock spring needed to be replaced. So, I am not sure if that will solve the problem with my AC. Any suggestions?
I’m not sure how a clock spring could be related to the AC not working.
I have a Nission sport rouge 2014- the only part that is malfunction is the air bag warning light is blinking??
A scanner should be able to read the air bag code.
There is often an SRS connector underneath the driver’s seat. Sometimes this connector will get bumped, disconnected, or corroded in a way that triggers the airbag light. It could be some other sensor in the system though, which is why it’s important to read the code.
2010 Nissan Pathfinder horn works with remote locking, doesn’t otherwise, but in driveway turned steering wheel to left and works in that spot.
Clock spring or not?
Sounds like the clock spring, especially if more components on the steering wheel quit working at the same time while the horn doesn’t work.
03 toyota tundra SR5, loud clanking noise in steering column, 4 to 5 clacks per rotation, (definitely metal against metal sounding). Everything works fine (steering, horn, cruise control. Popped open the plastic cover and it sounds and feels like either the clock spring or the windshield wiper control “collar”. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.
Clock spring is a good guess. Can you tell if the sound is coming from inside the cabin or on the engine side of the firewall? You might need a buddy to stand outside the vehicle and listen for the noise as you turn the wheel.
I have a 2014 Chevy impala LTZ. My clock spring needs to be replaced. I’ve gone to the dealership to get the part, but they are telling me that they have to take my steering wheel apart to order the correct part for my car. There are two parts they have for this car. I went to the GM dealer to verify what Chevy dealership was telling me is true, to see if they were just trying to get me to have my car repaired there. My previous search for the part stated that one was for heated steering wheel, and other wasn’t so I thought that’s why there are two parts. My steering wheel is heated. When I spoke with the clerka the GM dealer, it isn’t labeled that way. One is labeled 16 circuit, and the other isn’t. Is there a way to find out which part is the correct part without having to take the steering wheel apart?
See if you can find a factory service manual, or browse the website for GM’s OEM parts supplier AC Delco. If that fails, check Impala forums and you may find a thread where someone can tell you the exact part number you need.
Would the clock spin affect all features on my steering wheel? The horn, cruise, radio controls, etc. Everything on thing on the steering wheel does not work. I have checked all fuses and called the dealer and they can’t get me in for 3 weeks. I need to get my car inspected but can’t since my horn doesn’t work. Is there any other thing that could cause these features not to work? Thanks
Yes, a broken clock spring would affect all steering wheel controls.
Absolutely. My horn and cruise control stopped working although everything else worked. I bought a new clock spring which included new controls for wipers, lights, cruise control, etc. it was original part for my 2008 Nissan Frontier. Replaced it myself in about an hour and everything works great again. Before I lost horn and cruise control. Easy.
Clock springs are usually very easy to fix yourself. Just find a youtube video. I have found cheap $15 clock springs from Ebay to last just as long as more expensive ones. The whole job takes about 15 minutes most of the time.
2002 Dakota Sport, horn started blaring out of the blue while sitting in the driveway untouched for two weeks. I pulled the air bag from center if steering wheel to get to the clock spring. I noticed a lot of play, besides rotational movement. Is that normal. Truck is bare bones no options on the steering wheel, just horn and airbag.
Thanks.
Did the horn start and stop when you turned the steering wheel?
My 2009 ford fusion horn works with remote locking and vehicle alarm but not off steering wheel.Any thoughts ??
Perhaps the horn button on the steering wheel isn’t working. Try turning the wheel and hitting the horn button. Does the horn work when the wheel is in any specific position?
2006 pt cruiser… Horn beeps by itself while driving, also while not running… Horn doesn’t work when I use alarm either… I also read that if clock spring goes bad, it can send a surge to tps and can cause car to stall, rough idle, and have surge of power then die out… Currently having this issue… Any help would be appreciated…
Are any of the steering wheel controls broken or working intermittently?
everything works as its supposed to but the horn
Probably an electical issue in the horn’s wiring then, not the clock spring.
2008 Nissan Armada Steering wheel left side cruise control functions work fine. The right side does not work, along with the horn…but my horn will work if I press the alarm key. Any help would be great!
Sounds like a short, blown fuse, or bad clock spring. Does anything work or stop working as you turn the wheel? If that’s the case, it’s almost certainly the clock spring.
Will it affect the turn signals and flashers. The horn works ,but turn signals are intermittant. Replaced the signal switch,same problem. If I wiggle the clockspring I can get the signals to work or fail. Don,t think it’s a loose wire. 1999 jeep wrangler sport.
Typically a broken clock spring only affects components that are attached to the steering wheel. This is because the clock spring is a special wire that allows the connection to be maintained as the steering wheel rotates. If the turn signals are mounted on the steering column, they are probably not affected by a bad clock spring.
Check out this video and see if it helps: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lRCTahj9rLc
thanks for the help that you give us through web
Thanks for the positive feedback!
Broken clock spring. How much does it cost to repair? It’s a Dodge Caliber SXT 2008.
They’re pretty cheap to replace. Should cost you less than $500 if you take it somewhere.
Is this a Canadian price?
No, USD.
Hi when you changed the clock spring did you need a new key or to reset the key? My Saab 9-3 says key not accepted now?
Thanks
I also have same car, bad spring. How did you solve this?
Thanks?
I got quoted $975 + gst for the clock spring in my 93.
Instead I went to local wrecker and got the clock spring and the steering angle sensor which is attached for $145.. fitted it myself in about 15 min after watching some YouTube videos..
Take your car to a body shop to have this spiral cable replaced. Their labor rate is much less then a dealers labor rate. Plus they are probably more experienced with this problem since they work on this type of problem all the time.
Agreed; dealers are usually the most expensive way to go.