What is the Clock Spring???

[papasmith]

I have got a code 51 indicating that I have a ground fault in the Air Bag system somewhere. A mechanic told me that most likely it was a problem with the clock spring in the steering column. He sounded self assured as though this was common.

Can anyone tell me;

1) What is the clock spring?
2) have you had the problem before?
3) Is it costly to buy?
4) Is it hard to replace?

If I replace it myself, I might do a DIY on it for other because I understand that this is not an uncommon problem with older Tauri.

Thanks

[shorod]

What year is your Taurus? I'll assume the "51" is an SRS Lamp Fault Code (LFC).

-Rod

[papasmith]

Originally Posted by shorod

What year is your Taurus? I'll assume the "51" is an SRS Lamp Fault Code (LFC).

-Rod

Hi Rod,

My car is a 94 Taurus with the 3.0 engine. To make sure we are talking about the same thing, this is the code given by the air bag warning light.

Thanks

[shorod]

According to the Factory Service Manual, the code 51 on your '94 Taurus means, "Air Bag Diagnostic Monitor Internal Thermal Fuse--Fuse Blown Due to Intermittent Short to Ground.

"WARNING:
DO NOT INSTALL A NEW DIAGNOSTIC MONITOR UNTIL THE SHORT HAS BEEN LOCATED AND CORRECTED. IF A SHORT TO GROUND HAS NOT BEEN LOCATED AND CORRECTED, THEN THE SHORT TO GROUND IS INTERMITTENT AND IS NOT PRESENT AT THIS TIME. INSTALLING A NEW DIAGNOSTIC MONITOR WITH AN INTERMITTENT SHORT IN THE SYSTEM WILL RESULT IN REPEAT BLOWN DIAGNOSTIC MONITORS AND REPEAT SERVICE.

"If the air bag indicator is flashing code 51 and a short to ground has not been serviced, this means that an intermittent short to ground exists in the air bag system. The air bag diagnostic monitor should be replaced only after service of the intermittent short has been completed."

The clockspring could be the intermittant short to ground, but even if it is, replacing the clockspring by itself will not fix the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS). You would still need to install a new diagnostic monitor once the short is repaired.

The clockspring is the device within your steering column that typically gives a reliable connection to the airbag and still allows the steering wheel to make lock-to-lock rotations. It gets its name because the internals of the clockspring assembly resemble a clockspring in an old windup clock. The "reliable" comment is with respect to a slip ring setup.

-Rod

[papasmith]

That makes sense. Will the manuals have the procedure for removing and installing the new clock spring and diagnostic monitor and do you know how difficult a job it is?

Thanks

[shorod]

The factory service manual has the information, but again, you need to be sure you remedy the short before you replace the diagnostic monitor, unless you have a cheap source for multiple monitors.

The factory service manual has the procedure for troubleshooting the inputs to the monitor for shorts as well.

If you send me a private message with the request AND an e-mail address for you that can accept PDF attachments, I can send you the excerpt from the service manual.

-Rod

[dugan50]

papasmith:
Here is the answer to many of your questions and concerns. The information on this website is directly from the manufacturer, easy to understand and will define all the fault codes. Check it out
http://www.airbagsolutions.com
http://www.airbagsolutions.com/docs/clockspring.pdf
http://www.airbagsolutions.com/light.aspx

Typically, a blown fuse in a diagnostic monitor usually is from deployed bags (closing the circuits, firing the bags and then nowhere for the current to go)
Also typically, a bad clockspring would set a code 32 which you did not mention.
(If it was my car, I'd put in a new diagnostic monitor, not a clockspring, but that's just me!)