How to replace an airbag clock spring (clockspring) |
​Airbag light going on

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Symptoms of a defective clockspring in a steering column switch and how to test it.

This pictorial shows how to replace it, click on the below button for clock spring diagnostic:

Buying a new clock spring (coil spring wire)

You won't find necessarily a clock spring wire as a spare part.
Most of the time, it's the whole switch unit behind the steering wheel that's available as a part and it's indeed expensive.
You need first to identify the part number, but this is not enough.
When looking for a replacement online, you also need to check the list of controls and commands that are included in the steering wheel switch and to make sure it is identical or close as much as possibe to the one of your car.
You will find a new part for sure, but buying a used unit in this particular case is very interesting especially you can end up paying 1/3 of the price.
Chose a serious used parts online seller and check the mileage of the part, i.e. the one of the vehicle when it was dismantled.

Fitting the new clockspring wire to the steering column stalk

Note: click on the below button for airbag removal
You do not need to remove the whole steering column stalk assembly, simply take out the coil spring switch by removing the 4 screws that hold it. The vehicle in this case is a Peugeot 208 fitted with a Valeo stalk assembly.
​This is becase the clock spring can be separated from the rest of the steering column switch.
Do the same on the new stalk, i.e. separate the clock spring from the steering column switch assembly:
Fit the airbag clockspring wire you just dismantled to your car:
Reconnect the connectors from the back side, refit the screws that hold the clockspring to the stalk, then the steering wheel, steering column cover panels, and airbag.

BEFORE DRIVING: Check all controls on the steering wheel

Turn on the engine and make sure that:
  1. The airbag light is gone off
  2. The horn works well
  3. Other steering wheel controls are all opertional

Before driving, turn very slowly and gently the steering wheel to any side and till the end, then to the other side.
This is to confirm that the seller supplied the steering column stalk (if used one) in its center position.
If the steering wheel blocks, do not force, turn it backwards, and take it out, then manually rotate the clockpsinrg with your hand to its position zero.
Buy your airback clock spring cable and airbag connectors here:

See also our comprehensive tutorials for car maintenance: