Steering Column Repair: Steering column, salvage yard, clockspring

Question
I replaced the shifter tube from a steering column that I picked up from a salvage yard.
Everything went well until I was turning left and I felt something snapped.
Now the horn won't work and the air bag light is flashing ?
What have I done ?
And do I repair it ?

Thank you

Allen

Answer
Hi Allen:
I don't know what kind of car you are working on, but none the less, you have broken the clockspring.  You inadvertently installed in in a different position form what it was when you removed it.
The clockspring is a ribbon wire that is coiled up inside the steering column.  This component is the subject of many discussions on these threads.  Many times the steering wheel or column is disconnected and then rotated beyond the center position it is required to be in.  This will cause the clockspring wire to break.  The clockspring delivers current to all of the systems above it… the airbag, cruise control and horn.  When it fails (and they do a lot) the wire breaks leaving one or all of the circuits open and inoperative.  This will cause the airbag light to come on and shut down the airbag system.  As long as that light is on, the airbags will NOT deploy, even in an accident.  Sometimes it’s intermittent as the wire begins to break.  Once it breaks completely, the ‘airbag’ light will illuminate.
You will need to replace it to remedy your situation...there is no repair for it.
For more information on it, go to our company website at:
http://www.airbagsolutions.com/parts.aspx


Good luck
Doug