The clockspring of your Volkswagen Jetta provides a steady electrical connection to the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS), or airbag, and the horn. During rotation of the steering wheel, the clockspring uncoils to allow for a constant supply of power to ensure proper deployment of the SRS in the event of a collision.
Lock the ignition switch by turning it until it clicks into place. Take the negative battery cable off of its terminal and allow the reserve power to discharge for at least ten minutes before you continue with the replacement of the clockspring for your Volkswagen Jetta.
Disengage the steering column of your Volkswagen Jetta and pull it all the way out. Place the steering wheel into its upper position and lock the steering column into place. Turn the steering wheel until its spoke is vertical.
Place a screwdriver into the hole on the back side of the steering wheel and gently push the screwdriver up to unhook the clamp attaching the airbag unit to the steering wheel of your Volkswagen Jetta. Rotate the steering wheel halfway around and unhook the clamp on the opposite side of the steering wheel.
Return the steering wheel to its center position and remove the connector from the airbag. Take the airbag unit off of the steering wheel of your Volkswagen Jetta and remove the bolt that holds the steering wheel in place.
Unscrew the screws holding the clockspring in place on your Volkswagen Jetta with a Phillips screwdriver and disconnect all electrical connections to the mechanism. Replace the faulty clockspring with a new unit and reconnect all electrical connections to the new clockspring.
Replace the airbag unit and the steering wheel in reverse order to how you removed it, and tighten the retaining bolt to 41 foot pounds of torque with a torque wrench. Replace the negative battery cable to restore power to your Volkswagen Jetta.
