Technical Is it my clockspring

[jedeacon94]

So, after a long time i'm finally sorting my airbag light!

I have ordered the upgraded wiring loom (thanks shop4parts.co.uk!) and i have read the codes, but i haven't cleared them as I cleared them numerous times before and thought it makes sense to clear it later!

One thing I am very concerned about though, is what I think is the clockspring making a clicking type sound from behind the steering wheel... Everytime I turn I hear this little click coming directly from behind the horn button...

Is this something I should be seriously concerned about? It hasn't reported any fault codes to the drivers airbag, but I am worried incase it could do something disastrous???

Anyone know if clocksprings are something to worry about? I dont want to cleae the airbag light, enable the airbags and then have them blow up in my face because of the drivers clockspring?

Or maybe someone else has had this and it turnt out to be a simple fix?

Help please

Thanks!

 

[oldhammer]

hi

Anyone know if clocksprings are something to worry about? I dont want to cleae the airbag light, enable the airbags and then have them blow up in my face because of the drivers clockspring?


nah they dont blow airbag out if faulty.
its the ecu that decides when to fire airbag.

FWIW. if you think the squib as seen its days replace it
they isnt hard to change but you have to be careful the squib is realy easy to
make amess of.

you can pick good one up at breakers yard for ten pounds,
iwill be breaking up low mileage punto soon so if your in no rush you can have
squib off this

 

[jedeacon94]

Hi Oldhammer.

Thanks for the response - Glad to know it won't blow... I assumed it just needed a 12v and then boom, ruined face...

I think I will leave the squib, don't really fancy playing with explosive devices if it isn't neccessary, thanks for the offer...

If you get time, whilst your breaking your punto could you tell me how easy it is to change the clockspring, any pictures would be great but don't worry if you can't!

Also, I have a punto Mk2b, no cruise control or anything, only the trip computer... If your clockspring is compatible I might have that...

 

[oldhammer]

(If you get time, whilst your breaking your punto could you tell me how easy it is to change the clockspring,)

iwill be breaking up punto this week if weather stays dry.

iwill take some photos and make a guide.

 

[PuntoHowTo]

Disconnect battery for a minimum half hour (ideally an hour)
2x torx screws on the back of the steering wheel need to be removed to release the airbag from the wheel, you need to take the lower steering column cowling off to access them. once the airbag is off disconnect the multi plugs for the airbag and the horn there should be a black plastic/rubber cover over the bolt that secures the steering wheel take that off, unbolt the steering wheel

steering wheel off carefully feed the wiring plugs through the holes in the steering wheel and you have access to remove the clock spring. disconnect the clock spring to dash wiring connectors and you can remove it.

although its extremely unlikely that the clock spring is the problem and its more likely a cowl fouling the back of the wheel

inside the clock spring is a long ribbon cable coiled there is nothing to scrape or catch

 

[oldhammer]

the airbag clock springs can be wrecked on removal.

one of the reasons iwas going to make a guide up,


see here,

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

nah they dont blow airbag out if faulty.
its the ecu that decides when to fire airbag.

Not technically true, if the clock spring is USed, its not likely, but is more than possible for the drivers bag to detonate incorrectly. Friend had this happen on a Ford Escort due to a faulty clock spring that I'd been telling him to change for 18 months prior, went left at the end of his road one morning and BANG!

 

[oldhammer]

>

 

[oldhammer]

Not technically true, if the clock spring is USed, its not likely, but is more than possible for the drivers bag to detonate incorrectly. Friend had this happen on a Ford Escort due to a faulty clock spring that I'd been telling him to change for 18 months prior, went left at the end of his road one morning and BANG!

The clock spring has no power to it,
its the ecu that sends the trigger to the airbag,

if its faulty the airbag light will come on, and obviously then the airbags are useless in a crash,

im no professional but this is my findings,

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

The clock spring has no power to it,

Not strictly true. The clockspring doesn't only sort out the airbag, but also the horn and steering audio controls if fitted. These do have power.

Even if airbag only there is power going through it (all be it very small, just resistance checking) constantly to test the circuit - this is how the airbag ECU will know if there is a fault / break in the circuit or not.

 

[PuntoHowTo]

The Clockspring carries the earth for the horn circuit if broken it could theoretically short that earth via the Airbag wiring and cause deployment of the airbag, pretty unusual but as Mep points out it is technically possible.

you'll probably get a little beep from the horn milliseconds prior to your face being ripped off

more fancy models carry the wiring for the radio controls which are back lit so there are at least 2 lives there

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

you'll probably get a little beep from the horn milliseconds prior to your face being ripped off

Don't know why, had image of hand popping out of the airbag cover and trying to rip face off and take it back into the steering wheel

 

[jedeacon94]

Disconnect battery for a minimum half hour (ideally an hour)
2x torx screws on the back of the steering wheel need to be removed to release the airbag from the wheel, you need to take the lower steering column cowling off to access them. once the airbag is off disconnect the multi plugs for the airbag and the horn there should be a black plastic/rubber cover over the bolt that secures the steering wheel take that off, unbolt the steering wheel

steering wheel off carefully feed the wiring plugs through the holes in the steering wheel and you have access to remove the clock spring. disconnect the clock spring to dash wiring connectors and you can remove it.

although its extremely unlikely that the clock spring is the problem and its more likely a cowl fouling the back of the wheel

inside the clock spring is a long ribbon cable coiled there is nothing to scrape or catch

Thanks for the responses everyone, and the instructions! I will wait for the guide and then attempt it...

Also, I am pretty sure it the clockspring because I have spent ages reading up symptoms etc... Although you could be right, as multiecuscan hasn't registered any errors from the drivers airbag, only passenger.

What should I check before taking the steering wheel apart?

Thanks

 

[jedeacon94]

(If you get time, whilst your breaking your punto could you tell me how easy it is to change the clockspring,)

iwill be breaking up punto this week if weather stays dry.

iwill take some photos and make a guide.

Thanks!

 

[PuntoHowTo]

Don't know why, had image of hand popping out of the airbag cover and trying to rip face off and take it back into the steering wheel

Might happen !???