what is the clock spring for?????

[wangy5]

Hi~! I'm new, does anybody know anything about the clock spring which is in the steering system? the horn of my 1996 honda accord doesn't work, and the mechanic said it's because something wrong with the clock spring, and it may also cause trouble for the air bag system.... totally have no idea, and he said that little part is more than 300 bucks....I gotta have the horn fixed, but it's so expensive!

[00accord44]

I can't say Ive ever heard of a clock spring in the steering wheel but ive never taken one apart. Sounds a shady to me.

Check the fuse first and see if its split. Did it suddenly stop working one day? Does it feel any different? Is your SRS light on?

[wangy5]

ye, I asked the mechanic about this, and he said they checked it backwards, that's why they finally found out there was a cut between the fuses and the button. the SRS light is not on now, but it was on two months ago, for some reason it was off then... is the clock spring that expensive as what the mechanic told me? why i searched on line and realized that I could get it like 80 bucks even lesser?

[n8zdogg]

It conects the Airbag and any other steering wheel mounted controls to the electrical system in the car. Its a printed circuit that is wound into a small round case that fits over the steering shaft, hence the name clockspring.

[Glen_T]

Check the price on-line. I've replaced one in a 1998 Accord, and it was only $44 wholesale for the part (maybe $65 retail)? Not hard to replace.....Glen


UPDATE: Yikes! I looked up the clockspring for a 1996 on a Honda site, and it lists two. One is $142 retail and the other is $336 retail! I can't imagine why they would be so different between the 2 models (96 vs. 98).

I'd call your Honda dealer to ensure that 1) it is not on a recall since the same clockspring wiring also tells your airbag to fire in an accident, and 2) which of the two listed is for your model of car.

You might also see if there is an aftermarket version. The $142 I might understand, but the $336 is ridiculous....Glen

[wangy5]

thanks a lot guys!!! actually I went to a honda dealer today and made an appointment with somebody, I told him the whole story, and he said he never heared of that, I mean more than 300 bucks to fix the horn.... but Glen, if the prices listed are true, probably the mechanic is right, the price he gave me for the little thing is 325, and he said he couldn't find a used one since nobody gonna sell a used one, it's such a important thing related to the air bag...

[n8zdogg]

Price sounds a little steep, i've replaced one my wifes SLT durango (all the radio, and cruise controls are in the steering wheel) and it was about $75. Took about and hour

[wangy5]

to n8zdogg, what?! that sounds so cheap to me... I'm thinking of to be an mechanic....anyway, i'll go and see what the honda guys say about my car.

[n8zdogg]

Sorry if you're reference is having a dealer or other mechanic do it, I do most jobs myself for basic maintenance