At King's Auto Repair, we recently encountered an interesting issue on a customer's 2016 Subaru: the horn wouldn't sound properly. After some detailed testing, (how to below) we determined that the culprit was the Clock Spring—a crucial component often overlooked in horn testing. Skip to the bottom for the video.
What Is a Clock Spring, and What Does It Do?
A clock spring is a special wiring assembly within your steering wheel. It's designed as a coiled ribbon cable, allowing the steering wheel to turn freely while maintaining electrical connections. This cable connects vital components such as your horn, steering wheel buttons (like radio controls and cruise control), and importantly, your vehicle's airbag. When the clock spring is faulty, these functions can intermittently or completely stop working.
Symptoms of a Faulty Clock Spring
In this Subaru, the horn initially did not work when the steering wheel was straight ahead. However, it worked intermittently when the wheel was turned to the side, a classic sign of a damaged clock spring. Other symptoms you might experience include:
- Non-functional steering wheel buttons
- Airbag warning lights
- Cruise control malfunction
Diagnosing a Clock Spring Issue
Here's how our ASE-certified mechanics tested this issue:
- Check Basic Functions: We verify if the horn, buttons, and airbag warning lights function normally.
- Steering Wheel Test: We test the horn in various steering wheel positions.
- Relay Testing: Confirming signals at the horn relay under the hood.
In this specific Subaru case, rotating the steering wheel triggered the horn, indicating internal wiring damage in the clock spring. You might be asking why we didn't bother checking the fuse. The answer is that we were able to tell the fuse was good because the horn would blow when turning the steering wheel.
Replacing the Subaru Clock Spring
Replacing a clock spring involves safely removing the steering wheel and airbag assembly:
- Safely Remove Airbag: Disconnect the battery, then carefully release clips behind the steering wheel to remove the airbag. Always store airbags face-up for safety. If placed face down they become a projectile.
- Steering Wheel Removal: Using specialized tools and careful technique, remove the steering wheel without damaging underlying components.
- Clock Spring Replacement: Disconnect wiring harnesses, remove the defective clock spring, and install a new one precisely aligned to maintain correct steering wheel positioning.
- Reassembly and Testing: Once replaced, we reconnect all wiring, reinstall the steering wheel and airbag, and thoroughly test all functions—including steering controls, horn, and airbags. The final touch was taking it to the alignment rack and truing up the alignment and resetting the steering angle sensor.
Why Trust King's Auto Repair for Your Repairs?
- ASE-certified technicians ensuring precise diagnosis and expert repair.
- State-of-the-art tools and equipment for accurate repairs.
- Customer convenience: loaner cars, shuttle service, and same-day repairs.
- 36-month/36,000-mile warranty for peace of mind.
Experiencing issues with your horn, steering wheel controls, or seeing an airbag warning light? Visit King's Auto Repair in West Reading, PA, for expert diagnosis and reliable repairs.
