Dodge 2000 DURANGO Service Manual page 428

8M - 4 PASSIVE RESTRAINT SYSTEMS
DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION (Continued)
CLOCKSPRING
DESCRIPTION
The clockspring assembly is secured with two inte-
gral plastic latches onto the steering column lock
housing near the top of the steering column behind
the steering wheel. The clockspring is used to main-
tain a continuous electrical circuit between the fixed
clockspring wire harness on the steering column and
several electrical components that rotate with the
steering wheel. The rotating components include the
driver side airbag module, the horn switch and, if the
vehicle is so equipped, the vehicle speed control
switches and/or the remote radio switches.
The clockspring cannot be repaired. If the clock-
spring is faulty, damaged, or if the driver side airbag
has been deployed, the clockspring must be replaced.
OPERATION
The clockspring assembly consists of a plastic case
which contains a flat, ribbon-like, electrically conduc-
tive tape that winds and unwinds like a clockspring
with the steering wheel rotation. The electrically con-
ductive tape consists of several fine gauge copper
wire leads sandwiched between two narrow strips of
plastic film.
Like the clockspring in a timepiece, the clockspring
tape has travel limits and can be damaged by being
wound too tightly. To prevent this from occurring, the
clockspring is centered when it is installed on the
steering column. Centering the clockspring indexes
the clockspring tape to other steering components so
that it can operate within its designed travel limits.
However, if the clockspring is removed for service or
if the steering column is disconnected from the steer-
ing gear allowing the clockspring tape to change posi-
tion relative to the other steering components, it
must be re-centered following completion of the ser-
vice or it may be damaged. Refer to Clockspring
Centering in the Adjustments section of this group
for the proper centering procedures.
Service replacement clocksprings are shipped pre-
centered and with a piece of tape covering the
depressed clockspring auto-locking tabs. This tape
should not be removed until the clockspring has been
installed on the steering column. If the tape is
removed before the clockspring is installed on a
steering column, the clockspring centering procedure
must be performed.
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING
AIRBAG SYSTEM
A DRB scan tool is required for diagnosis of the
airbag system. See the proper Diagnostic Procedures
manual for more information.
(1) Connect the DRB scan tool to the 16-way data
link wire harness connector. The connector is located
on the driver side lower edge of the instrument
panel, below the steering column (Fig. 1).
Fig. 1 16-Way Data Link Connector - Typical
1 – 16–WAY DATA LINK CONNECTOR
2 – BOTTOM OF INSTRUMENT PANEL
(2) Turn the ignition switch to the On position.
Exit the vehicle with the DRB. Be certain that the
DRB contains the latest version of the proper DRB
software.
(3) Using the DRB, read and record the active
Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) data.
(4) Read and record any stored DTC data.
(5) See the proper Diagnostic Procedures manual if
any DTC is found in Step 3 or Step 4.
(6) After completing the necessary repairs, try to
erase the stored DTC data. If any problems remain,
the stored DTC data will not erase. See the proper
Diagnostic Procedures manual for the procedures to
diagnose any stored DTC that will not erase.
(7) With the ignition switch still in the On posi-
tion, check to be certain that nobody is in the vehicle.
(8) From outside of the vehicle (away from the air-
bags in case of an accidental deployment) turn the
ignition switch to the Off position for about ten sec-
DN