Grand Cherokee 4WD V8-4.7L (2003)
Clockspring Assembly / Spiral Cable: Description and Operation
Fig. 15 Clockspring (Upper View)
CLOCKSPRING
The clockspring assembly is secured with two screws to the multi-function switch mounting housmg near the top of the steering column behind the
steering wheel. The clockspring consists of a flat, round molded plastic case with a stubby tail that hangs below the steering column. The tail contains
two connector receptacles that face toward the instrument panel. Within the plastic case is a spool-like molded plastic rotor with a large exposed hub.
The upper surface of the rotor hub has a large center hole, two large flats, an index hole, two short pigtail wires with connectors, and two connector
receptacles that face toward the steering wheel.
The lower surface of the rotor hub has three pins, two round and one oblong. These pins index the clockspring to the turn signal cancel cam unit in the
multi-function switch mounting housing. Within the plastic case and wound around the rotor spool is a long ribbon-like tape that consists of several
thin copper 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 clockspring rotor that face
the steering wheel.
Service replacement clocksprings are shipped precentered and with a molded plastic locking pin installed. The locking pin secures the centered
clockspring rotor to the clockspring case during shipment and handling, but must be removed from the clockspring after it and the multi-function
switch mounting housing are installed on the steering column.
The clockspring cannot be repaired. If the clockspring is faulty damaged, or if the driver airbag has been deployed, the clockspring must be replaced.
The clockspring is a mechanical electrical circuit component that is used to provide continuous electrical 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 clockspring
case is positioned and secured to the multi-function switch mounting housing near the top of the steering column. The connector receptacles on the tail
of the fixed clockspring case connect the clockspring to the vehicle electrical system through two take outs with connectors from the instrument panel
wire harness.
The clockspring 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 clockspring rotor hub engage and index the clockspring 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 pigtail wires on the upper surface of the clockspring rotor connect the clockspring to the driver airbag, while a steering wheel wire
harness connects the two connector receptacles on the upper surface of the clockspring 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 clockspring in a timepiece, the clockspring tape has travel limits and can be damaged by being wound too tightly during full stop-to-stop
steering wheel rotation. To prevent this from occurring, the clockspring is centered when it is installed on the steering column. Centering the
clockspring indexes the clockspring tape to the movable steering components so that the tape can operate within its designed travel limits. However, if
the clockspring is removed from the steering column or if the steering shaft is disconnected from the steering gear, the clockspring spool can change
