Standard Procedure - Clockspring Centering; Operation - Jeep Wrangler 2001 Service Manual

8Os - 10 RESTRAINTS
CLOCKSPRING (Continued)
DARD PROCEDURE
CENTERING).
The clockspring cannot be repaired. If the clock-
spring is faulty, damaged, or if the driver airbag has
been deployed, the clockspring must be replaced.

OPERATION

The clockspring is a mechanical electrical circuit
component that is used to provide continuous electri-
cal continuity between the fixed cross body wire har-
ness on the steering column and the electrical
components mounted on or in the rotating steering
wheel. On this model the rotating electrical compo-
nents include the driver airbag, the horn switch, and
the speed control switches if the vehicle is so
equipped. The clockspring case is positioned and
secured to the upper steering column housing near
the top of the steering column. The connector recep-
tacles on the tail of the fixed clockspring case connect
the clockspring to the vehicle electrical system
through two take outs with connectors from the cross
body wire harness. The clockspring rotor is movable
and is keyed by two flats molded into the rotor hub
to two flats that are cast into the lower surface of the
steering wheel armature. The two lobes on the turn
signal cancel cam on the lower surface of the clock-
spring rotor hub contact a turn signal cancel actuator
of the multi-function switch to provide automatic
turn signal cancellation. The pigtail wires on the
upper surface of the clockspring rotor connect the
clockspring to the driver airbag, the horn switch, and
the steering wheel wire harness for the two speed
control switches if the vehicle is so equipped.
Like the clockspring in a timepiece, the clockspring
tape has travel limits and can be damaged by being
wound too tightly during full stop-to-stop steering
wheel rotation. 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 the movable steering compo-
nents so that the tape can operate within its
designed travel limits. However, if the clockspring is
removed from the steering column or if the steering
shaft is disconnected from the steering gear, the
clockspring spool can change position relative to the
movable steering components and must be re-cen-
tered following completion of the service or the tape
may be damaged. Service replacement clocksprings
are shipped pre-centered and with a plastic locking
pin installed. This locking pin should not be disen-
gaged until the clockspring has been installed on the
steering column. If the locking pin is removed or
damaged before the clockspring is installed on a
steering column, the clockspring centering procedure
must be performed. (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/RE-
2001 JEEP WRANGLER
- CLOCKSPRING STRAINTS/CLOCKSPRING - STANDARD PROCE-
DURE - CLOCKSPRING CENTERING).
STANDARD PROCEDURE - CLOCKSPRING
CENTERING
The clockspring is designed to wind and unwind
when the steering wheel is rotated, but is only
designed to rotate the same number of turns (about
five complete rotations) as the steering wheel can be
turned from stop to stop. Centering the clockspring
indexes the clockspring tape to other steering compo-
nents so that it can operate within its designed
travel limits. The rotor of a centered clockspring can
be rotated two and one-half turns in either direction
from the centered position, without damaging the
clockspring tape.
However, if the clockspring is removed for service
or if the steering column is disconnected from the
steering gear, the clockspring tape can change posi-
tion relative to the other steering components. The
clockspring must then be re-centered following com-
pletion of such service or the clockspring tape may be
damaged. Service replacement
shipped pre-centered and with a plastic locking pin
installed (Fig. 9). This locking pin should not be
removed until the clockspring has been installed on
the steering column. If the locking pin is removed
before the clockspring is installed on a steering col-
umn, the clockspring centering procedure must be
performed.
WARNING: DISABLE
BEFORE ATTEMPTING ANY STEERING WHEEL,
STEERING COLUMN, OR INSTRUMENT PANEL
COMPONENT DIAGNOSIS OR SERVICE. DISCON-
NECT AND ISOLATE THE BATTERY NEGATIVE
(GROUND) CABLE, THEN WAIT TWO MINUTES FOR
THE AIRBAG SYSTEM CAPACITOR TO DISCHARGE
BEFORE PERFORMING FURTHER DIAGNOSIS OR
SERVICE. THIS IS THE ONLY SURE WAY TO DIS-
ABLE THE AIRBAG SYSTEM. FAILURE TO TAKE
THE PROPER PRECAUTIONS COULD RESULT IN
ACCIDENTAL AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT AND POSSI-
BLE PERSONAL INJURY.
NOTE: Before starting this procedure, be certain to
turn the steering wheel until the front wheels are in
the straight-ahead position.
(1) Place the front wheels in the straight-ahead
position.
(2) Remove the clockspring from the steering col-
umn. (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/RESTRAINTS/
CLOCKSPRING - REMOVAL).
(3) Rotate the clockspring rotor clockwise to the
end of its travel. Do not apply excessive torque.
TJ
clocksprings are
THE AIRBAG SYSTEM