Chrysler 2004 Pacifica, Руководство по обслуживанию, Страница: 2172 / 3603

plastic case and wound around the rotor spool is a
long ribbon-like tape that consists of several thin cop-
per wire leads sandwiched between two thin plastic
membranes. The outer end of the tape terminates at
the connector receptacles that face the instrument
panel, while the inner end of the tape terminates at
the pigtail wires and connector receptacles on the
hub of the clock spring rotor that face the steering
wheel.
Service replacement clock springs are shipped pre-
centered and with a molded plastic locking pin
installed. The locking pin secures the centered clock
spring rotor to the clock spring case during shipment
and handling, but must be removed from the clock
spring after it and the multi-function switch mount-
ing housing are installed on the steering column.
(Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/RESTRAINTS/CLOCK
SPRING - STANDARD PROCEDURE - CLOCK
SPRING CENTERING).
The clock spring cannot be repaired. If the clock
spring is faulty, damaged, or if the driver airbag has
been deployed, the clock spring must be replaced.
Refer to the proper Body Diagnostic Procedures man-
ual for diagnosis and testing.
OPERATION
The clock spring is a mechanical electrical circuit
component that is used to provide continuous electri-
cal continuity between the fixed instrument panel
wire harness and the electrical components mounted
on or in the rotating steering wheel. On this model
the rotating electrical components include the driver
airbag, the horn switch, the speed control switches,
and the remote radio switches, if the vehicle is so
equipped. The clock spring case is positioned and
secured to the multi-function switch mounting hous-
ing near the top of the steering column. The connec-
tor receptacles on the tail of the fixed clock spring
case connect the clock spring to the vehicle electrical
system through two take outs with connectors from
the instrument panel wire harness.
The clock spring rotor is movable and is keyed to
the hub of the steering wheel by two large flats that
are molded into the rotor hub. The three pins (two
round and one oblong) on the lower surface of the
clock spring rotor hub engage and index the clock
spring rotor to the turn signal cancel cam. The turn
signal cancel cam is integral to the multi-function
switch mounting housing and is keyed to the upper
steering column shaft. Two short, yellow-sleeved pig-
tail wires on the upper surface of the clock spring
rotor connect the clock spring to the driver airbag,
while a steering wheel wire harness connects the two
connector receptacles on the upper surface of the
clock spring rotor to the horn switch, the two speed
control switches and, if the vehicle is so equipped, to
the optional remote radio switches on the steering
wheel.
Like the clock spring in a timepiece, the clock
spring tape has travel limits and can be damaged by
being wound too tightly during full stop-to-stop steer-
ing wheel rotation. To prevent this from occurring,
the clock spring is centered when it is installed on
the steering column. Centering the clock spring
indexes the clock spring tape to the movable steering
components so that the tape can operate within its
designed travel limits. However, if the clock spring is
removed from the steering column or if the steering
shaft is disconnected from the steering gear, the clock
spring spool can change position relative to the mov-
able steering components and must be re-centered
following completion of the service or the tape may
be damaged.
Service replacement clock springs are shipped pre-
centered and with a locking pin installed. This lock-
ing pin should not be removed until the clock spring
has been installed on the steering column. If the
locking pin is removed before the clock spring is
installed on a steering column, the clock spring cen-
tering procedure must be performed. (Refer to 8 -
ELECTRICAL/RESTRAINTS/CLOCK
SPRING -
STANDARD PROCEDURE - CLOCK SPRING CEN-
TERING).
STANDARD PROCEDURE - CLOCK SPRING
CENTERING
The clock spring 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 clock spring
indexes the clock spring tape to other steering com-
ponents so that it can operate within its designed
travel limits. The rotor of a centered clock spring can
be rotated two and one-half turns in either direction
from the centered position, without damaging the
clock spring tape.
However, if the clock spring is removed for service
or if the steering column is disconnected from the
steering gear, the clock spring tape can change posi-
tion relative to the other steering components. The
clock spring must then be re-centered following com-
pletion of such service or the clock spring tape may
be damaged. Service replacement clock springs are
shipped pre-centered and with a molded plastic lock-
ing pin installed. This locking pin should not be
removed until the clock spring has been installed on
the steering column. If the locking pin is removed
before the clock spring is installed on a steering col-
umn, the clock spring centering procedure must be
performed.
CS
RESTRAINTS 8O - 9
CLOCK SPRING (Continued)