sdpatt
Sr. SHO Engr.
I had been intermittently seeing the tell tale 6 flashes of the air bag light that usually indicates that the contacts in the steering wheel clockspring are not making a complete circuit. I thought that removing the steering wheel and clockspring and cleaning the slip rings would help me go a little longer before having to replace the clockspring.
I found out yesterday when buying the F1OY-14A664-D (VF0DC-14A664-BE original) replacement part that the slip rings are for the speed control buttons. That explains why cleaning them had no effect on the frequency at which I suffered through the 6 flashes.
It turns out that the replacement part has changed the design so that the slip rings are replaced by additional internal clockspring connections. No more slip rings. No more flashes.
Procedure to replace the clockspring
To replace the clockspring in the steering column of a Gen I SHO, disable the airbag system by disconnecting the negative battery terminal and wait 20 minutes before proceeding. Remove the four 10mm nuts that secure the airbag to the steering wheel, unclip the two electrical connectors, Remove the airbag and set it aside. Remove the 15mm bolt that holds the steering wheel to the steering column. Note the alignment of the index marks on the steering shaft and wheel hub once the bolt is removed. The wheel must be reinstalled with the same position to retain the orientation of the wheel with straight-ahead. Use the same damper puller bolts as used for the crankshaft damper. Ensure that the puller central drive bolt does not damage the threads in the steering column. Remove the steering wheel and set it aside.
To access the clockspring’s electrical connectors, remove the metal trim piece under the dash (four Torx 30(?) bolts) and the lower and upper steering column covers (three Phillips screws and one 5.5mm screw at the passenger side rear). To allow complete removal of the upper cover, insert the ignition key (only with the battery disconnected), turn it to ON, push the lock pin through the access hole at the bottom and pull the ignition lock cylinder from the column. Remove (unsnap by moving toe the passenger side) the ignition key chime connection from the ignition lock cylinder. Unclip the clockspring’s two electrical connectors and pull them from their mounts. Remove the three Torx 25 bolts that secure the clockspring to the column and remove the clockspring.
To install, orient the new clockspring with the “TOP” lettering upwards and the wheel-side electrical connector at the 3 o’clock orientation and remove the locator clip that prevents the clockspring from unwinding. Slide the clockspring over the column stub. Route the dash side wiring, attach the connectors and secure the connectors to the metal bulkhead. Remove the protection clip from the door chime clip and mount the connector to the ignition cylinder (the tab with the electrical contact fits in the notch. Install the upper and lower column covers. Fully insert the lock cylinder, turn the key to OFF and remove the ignition key.
Center the clockspring on the shaft and secure the three Phillips screws. Reinstall the steering wheel while passing the two wiring harnesses through the hole at the 3 o’clock position on the steering wheel hub. Align the marks on the steering shaft and wheel hub as noted during the removal process. Connect the speed control connector in the wheel hub. Torque the 15mm steering wheel bolt (23-33 lb-ft). Reinstall the airbag (ensuring it is right side up) while connecting the airbag connector. Install the airbag nuts (23-32 lb-in). Install the lower metal dash panel. Reconnect the negative terminal on the battery. Start the engine and allow the engine to idle for at least 70 seconds without touching the accelerator pedal to let the ECU to learn the idle speed.
Now for the final step, remove the black tape from the instrument panel that was covering the annoying AIR BAG light.
I found out yesterday when buying the F1OY-14A664-D (VF0DC-14A664-BE original) replacement part that the slip rings are for the speed control buttons. That explains why cleaning them had no effect on the frequency at which I suffered through the 6 flashes.
It turns out that the replacement part has changed the design so that the slip rings are replaced by additional internal clockspring connections. No more slip rings. No more flashes.
Procedure to replace the clockspring
To replace the clockspring in the steering column of a Gen I SHO, disable the airbag system by disconnecting the negative battery terminal and wait 20 minutes before proceeding. Remove the four 10mm nuts that secure the airbag to the steering wheel, unclip the two electrical connectors, Remove the airbag and set it aside. Remove the 15mm bolt that holds the steering wheel to the steering column. Note the alignment of the index marks on the steering shaft and wheel hub once the bolt is removed. The wheel must be reinstalled with the same position to retain the orientation of the wheel with straight-ahead. Use the same damper puller bolts as used for the crankshaft damper. Ensure that the puller central drive bolt does not damage the threads in the steering column. Remove the steering wheel and set it aside.
To access the clockspring’s electrical connectors, remove the metal trim piece under the dash (four Torx 30(?) bolts) and the lower and upper steering column covers (three Phillips screws and one 5.5mm screw at the passenger side rear). To allow complete removal of the upper cover, insert the ignition key (only with the battery disconnected), turn it to ON, push the lock pin through the access hole at the bottom and pull the ignition lock cylinder from the column. Remove (unsnap by moving toe the passenger side) the ignition key chime connection from the ignition lock cylinder. Unclip the clockspring’s two electrical connectors and pull them from their mounts. Remove the three Torx 25 bolts that secure the clockspring to the column and remove the clockspring.
To install, orient the new clockspring with the “TOP” lettering upwards and the wheel-side electrical connector at the 3 o’clock orientation and remove the locator clip that prevents the clockspring from unwinding. Slide the clockspring over the column stub. Route the dash side wiring, attach the connectors and secure the connectors to the metal bulkhead. Remove the protection clip from the door chime clip and mount the connector to the ignition cylinder (the tab with the electrical contact fits in the notch. Install the upper and lower column covers. Fully insert the lock cylinder, turn the key to OFF and remove the ignition key.
Center the clockspring on the shaft and secure the three Phillips screws. Reinstall the steering wheel while passing the two wiring harnesses through the hole at the 3 o’clock position on the steering wheel hub. Align the marks on the steering shaft and wheel hub as noted during the removal process. Connect the speed control connector in the wheel hub. Torque the 15mm steering wheel bolt (23-33 lb-ft). Reinstall the airbag (ensuring it is right side up) while connecting the airbag connector. Install the airbag nuts (23-32 lb-in). Install the lower metal dash panel. Reconnect the negative terminal on the battery. Start the engine and allow the engine to idle for at least 70 seconds without touching the accelerator pedal to let the ECU to learn the idle speed.
Now for the final step, remove the black tape from the instrument panel that was covering the annoying AIR BAG light.
Last edited:
Mike
