Clock Spring Failure in Jeep Wranglers — Symptoms and Replacement

What the Clock Spring Does

The clock spring is a ribbon cable that maintains electrical connections between the steering wheel and the vehicle while allowing the steering wheel to turn. It carries the signals for the driver's airbag, horn, cruise control buttons, radio controls, and any other steering wheel switches. The clock spring is mounted behind the steering wheel and rotates with it, coiling and uncoiling the ribbon cable as the wheel turns.

The clock spring is a wear item that eventually fails from the constant flexing of the ribbon cable. Most clock springs last the life of the vehicle, but they can fail earlier if the steering wheel is turned past its normal limits during off-roading or if the ribbon cable is damaged during steering column work.

Symptoms of Failure

The most common symptom of a failed clock spring is the airbag warning light on the dashboard. The clock spring carries the electrical connection for the driver's airbag, so when it fails, the airbag system detects the open circuit and illuminates the warning light. Other symptoms include the horn not working, cruise control not engaging, and steering wheel audio controls not functioning.

Some clock springs fail partially, causing intermittent problems. The horn may work sometimes but not others. The cruise control may drop out when turning the wheel. These intermittent symptoms can be frustrating to diagnose but point to a clock spring issue. If multiple steering wheel functions are failing at the same time, the clock spring is the likely cause.

Replacement Procedure

Clock spring replacement requires removing the steering wheel, which means you need to disable the airbag system first. Disconnect the negative battery cable and wait at least two minutes for the airbag capacitor to discharge. Remove the steering wheel using a steering wheel puller — do not hammer on the steering shaft or you can damage the clock spring and column.

The new clock spring must be centered before installation. Most clock springs come with a locking pin that holds them in the centered position. Do not remove the pin until the clock spring is installed and the steering wheel is aligned. If you rotate the clock spring off-center, it can be damaged the first time you turn the wheel. Remove the locking pin after installation and before reconnecting the battery.

Bottom Line

A failed clock spring disables the airbag, horn, and steering wheel controls. Replace it as soon as possible when the airbag light comes on — a non-functioning airbag is a safety risk. Use an OEM or high-quality aftermarket clock spring. Center the new clock spring before installation and disable the airbag system before working on the steering column.

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