What does a clock spring have to do with an airbag?

Question

What does a clock spring have to do with an airbag?

Answer 1

The clock spring is the name given to the wiring in the steering column that goes to the steering wheel.

The steering wheel on many vehicles today is a control console in itself.

The horn, cruise control, air bag and, in some cases, radio controls are contained in the steering wheel.

To allow for this there is a coil of wire that looks somewhat like a clock spring (that’s where the name comes from) that contains all the wires necessary to allow the systems on the steering wheel to work.

The wire winds up and down as the steering is turned from left to right, etc....

Answer 2

used so when you turn the wheel the horn, airbag, and radio controls, etc wiring doesnt bind

rarley but sometimes incorpared in with the back of a airbag

goodluck

Answer 3

Here's a site that will explain everything you need to know about airbag systems, airbag lights and resetting the system.  It shows you the location of the components and the procedure for diagnosing and resetting airbag lights.

http://www.airbagsolutions.com/

You can check to see if your car is listed here.

http://www.airbagsolutions.com/vehicles_...

If the light is flashing on your car it's telling you there's a problem.  On some vehicles, the light is flashing a two digit code.  Once you know the code, you can most likely repair it yourself.  There are fairly easy procedures that most people are capable of repairing.  

Airbagsolutions.com has the fault code charts to tell you what is wrong and how to fix it!

Some vehicle manufacturers let you access and reset systems without a scanner (like Toyota, Lexus, Nissan, Infinity, Honda, Acura, Ford, Lincoln, Mazda & Mercury) and some require a scan tool.  

Although it’s a pay site ($14.95/day), it’s a lot cheaper than going to the dealer

Answer 4

the clock spring in a misnomer. it's not really a spring. its a plastic disc coated with copper on both sides so that all of the electronics on the steering wheel and the air bag will work at any position of the steering wheel. behind the disc in some cars is an electric wire that looks like tape coiled up if that wire kinks you can lose power to the steering wheel.