The clockspring is sprung and it "ain't clock'in no mo" ...

[truckmen]

Hi all,

Yup, I've finally determined (with help from my good friend Dennis In Laconia, NH - he's a mechanical wizard if you live anywhere nearby and need work done) that the clockspring is gone.

I have the flashing airbag light on the dash, a non-functioning horn and cruise control all leading me to believe that in fact it is the clockspring.

2 questions:

1) Has anyone switched these out and what would be the procedure; are there any issues, stumbling blocks, etc..?

2) Are there any sources besides Infinitipartsusa for this part? I ask because if you go to the below link you will see the astronomical price.

Okay, that was more than 2 questions, wasn't it?

By the way, I've ordered parts from them (Infinitipartsusa) in the past, and have nothing but good things to say about the folks over there. Thanks to this great group for that invaluable source. It's just that this particular part is really, really expensive.

http://www.infinitipartsusa.co...id=55

[yodawill2000]

Try this for the flashing airbag.

Get in and leave the door open.Turn the key all the way to on but don't start.Immediately hit the door open switch as fast as you can,, (Lower left of door opening with rubber boot over it.After about ten taps of the button start her up and see if the light still flashes.

This procedure resets the airbag circuit.

[truckmen]

Hi Yoda,

Nope, it didn't work for me. The light still flashes.

[GerryO]

Sounds logical or maybe it's just a bad wire or connector? Has anyone ever pulled the steering wheel or has the air bag ever deployed?
Modified by GerryO at 10:11 AM 3/9/2010

[truckmen]

Sounds logical or maybe it's just a bad wire or connector? Has anyone ever pulled the steering wheel or has the air bag ever deployed?

Modified by GerryO at 10:11 AM 3/9/2010

Neither that I know of.

[truckmen]

Sounds logical or maybe it's just a bad wire or connector? Has anyone ever pulled the steering wheel or has the air bag ever deployed?

Modified by GerryO at 10:11 AM 3/9/2010

I just found being one of these being offered; there is a used clockspring at a salvage yard. This on is in a steering column where the airbag HAS already been deployed.

Would the clockspring still be good?

Is there any way to tell if it is still good?

[yodawill2000]

I'm confused at what you mean by Clockspring ??

[GerryO]

It might prove helpful to pull one at a yard yourself as preparation for removing yours and installing a replacement.

I believe wrecking yards are required to puncture all air bags (and gas tanks too), so an "open" air bag doesn't necessarily mean that it was deployed in an accident.

http://www.airbagsolutions.com...g.pdf

http://penguinhosting.net/~big....html

[truckmen]

I'm confused at what you mean by Clockspring ??

It's the unit ahead of the steering wheel within the house that powers all of the on-steering wheel devices such as horn, cruise control, etc.

If it breaks the horn, cruise control, etc, stops functioning and the air bag warning light flashes.

By the way, I don;t know if I had a chance to post it, but I called Westbrook, Maine Infiniti, and they told me a few months ago, that there were only 3 of these clocksprings left in the entire country. Don't have to rush right out and get one because one will set you back 1246 dollars.

Ralph

[truckmen]

Okay, I have to figure out how to to a search on the forum here for directions on how to un-install the old and install the new clockspring.
I now have one and getting ready for the job.
Has anyone replaced one of these? Are there any tricks of the trade?

I'll post photos here soon.

Ralph