Steering Wheel radio controls

[AutostradaVR4]

Mine only seem to work sometimes. I think it might depends on how much the wheel is turned, but im not sure. I took the steering colomn cover off to look for loose connections, but the only ones i saw were the ones immidiately at the control unit. (looked fine, nice and tight).

Does anyone know if this is a common problem or what the issue might be? Or does anyone know where there are other connections i might look at?

Thanks

[new2mitsu]

mine used to work perfectly. I'd be willing to bet that theres a short somewhere, especially if its intermentint, and it seems to happen more when the wheel is turned...

[Polygon]

Is your SRS light on?

Regardless, I'd bet you need a new clock spring.

[jason_bet]

Originally Posted by Polygon

Is your SRS light on?

Regardless, I'd bet you need a new clock spring.

+1 I would make a good bet.. let me know if you want a price for a new one..

Jason

[sLADe781]

Originally Posted by jason_bet

+1 I would make a good bet.. let me know if you want a price for a new one..

Jason

I do I do!!! Any luck on the VIC motor bro? Hehe

[AutostradaVR4]

new2mitsu...actually it seems to work when the wheel is turned (even if only slightly) and not work when it's strait. Very inconvenient since i usually only screw with the radio when going strait lol.

poly...nope, no SRS light, and i know its not blown since it comes on for a sec on startup. WTF is a clock spring? And how hard is it to replace?

Jason...yea assuming its not a complete headache to replace i'll get the price from you.

In a related question, how hard is it to get the controls to work with an aftermarket stereo?

[Polygon]

Originally Posted by BlinkRA182

poly...nope, no SRS light, and i know its not blown since it comes on for a sec on startup. WTF is a clock spring? And how hard is it to replace?

The clock spring is a plastic housing with a metal track inside. It has an apparatus that rides on the metal track. I supplies current for the airbag, radio controls, and horn. To change it you need to remove the airbag and steering wheel. Then you have to remove the old clock spring. This will require you to pull the harness as well. I suggest attaching some rope or a fish tape to the end before you pull it out of the column since you can use it to pull the new one trough a lot easier.

I only asked because my SRS light is on and the radio controls are doing the same thing.

[AutostradaVR4]

but my horn works all the time. could it still be the clock spring?

that sounds like a pain. do these cars need a steering wheel puller?

[Polygon]

Originally Posted by BlinkRA182

but my horn works all the time. could it still be the clock spring?

that sounds like a pain. do these cars need a steering wheel puller?

Yes, and yes. My horn works as well. the problem is that when you're turning the wheel it is losing conductivity for some reason. A good way to see is at night the lights on the radio controls will probably turn on and off as you turn the wheel.

[dugan50]

The clockspring is a ribbon wire that is coiled up inside the steering column. Once you remove the airbag module and the steering wheel, it is usually the very next component stacked in the column. It delivers current to all of the systems mentioned above, airbag, cruise control and horn. When it fails (and they do a lot) the wire breaks leaving some or all of the circuits open and inoperative. This will cause the airbag light to come on and shut down the system. As long as that light is on, the airbags will NOT deploy, even in an accident.

Check out these web pages for a more complete description:

http://www.airbagsolutions.com/docs/Clockspring.pdf
http://www.airbagsolutions.com

[Polygon]

Originally Posted by dugan50

This will cause the airbag light to come on and shut down the system. As long as that light is on, the airbags will NOT deploy, even in an accident.

There are accounts to the contrary.

[jason_bet]

hey blink its $234 and some change

Jason

[AutostradaVR4]

Originally Posted by jason_bet

hey blink its $234 and some change

Jason

thanks for checking bro...think im gonna pass on that one. it doesn't bother me that much haha. If i'm gonna spend that much on my car it's gonna be on something else lol. I do have a few other things i'd like to get quotes on, but i'll PM you.

[CHRIST75]

Hey i just red this page, mine does the same, ( no SRS lights on ) and the malfunction seems very random, i never really checked it if only works on certain steering wheel positions so i'll do that next time, it may be that clock spring power thing , even though i don't have any other problems, and i changed the controls in mine with another used one but in better shape and still the same.

And removing the steering wheel and airbag is easy you don't even need a S.W. puller, i just pulled mine with my hands and came with not much effort, just one very important thing keep the nut on so it doesn't jump out on you and lose the position, don't forget to mark them so they go back to where it was and of course the wheels have to be straight.

Thanks for the info on the clock spring, i didn't know how it fed those parts.

[CHRIST75]

I Just got off the car and checked the problem with the steering wheel positions but the problem seems random like hell, it would work and stop working at any positions and now at night time i can really see the lights at the control are always on, i also tried to tap it to see maybe a false contact but like i said this seems so random that i can't tell what's making this thing. Well i am still gonna check the clock spring since that's what powers it, then would be the controls to radio wiring.
And i have a brand new stock radio on my 93.