Hi all,
I'm guessing I have a bad clock spring on my 1996 Camry LE. My question is, will that effect the cruise control also, since that isn't working? When purchasing the clock spring from a junkyard or EBAY, will I need one w/the turn signal and wiper controls attached, or can I switch my old ones onto it? Although I would like a new wiper control arm since mine is missing the squirt-er button. The reason I think I have a bad clock spring is because there's no horn and the air bag light is continually lit, as well as no cruise control.
Thanks for any input
You might want to download the factory service manual pdf.
Working on the air bag could lead to problems ... explosions ... if you are not careful. There is a section labeled SRS ... seat-belt restraint system. http://www.techinfo.toyota.com/
I'm not sure where I came across the name "clock spring", but I know from looking for the steering column parts, that name comes up, and EBAY will show pictures of it when you search for it....
I can see why they call it a clock-spring as well, since the picture of the insides looks like the spring in a clock...and like they say, if it has springs or t##'s, it's gonna give you problems...
so I spoke with my mechanic about these things. He said that if you put one on that was taken out of a car incorrectly, it will break the first time you turn the wheel fully. I guess it needs to be removed with the steering wheel straight ahead, and if you get one from Ebay or a scrapyard, there's no telling how the steering wheel was when it came off. The cheapest one of these I see online is just under $200, so I'll be holding off on this repair for a bit...
There are instructions on the clockspring, you rotate all the way to the end of travel (either direction) then rotate it 3 turns (or whatever is written on the part) and line up the arrows.
71Corolla is correct, the instructions for installing are right on the spiral cable assembly (see view below, not clear to read the instructions, but show that they do exist). If you follow those instructions, you will not damage a salvage unit when removing or installing.
so maybe my mechanic is ill-informed about these, or he just wants to sell me a new one....or maybe doesn't want to deal w/a possible defective one that's used. Either way, I think I'll pick one up on my own somewhere down the line and have my kids help me replace it...what's the worse that can happen?..it breaks and I'm back to square one
Because I'd like to be certain the airbag will work when needed, I wouldn't trust a repaired clockspring.
The multimeter/tester is a good idea for checking a used one though.
Anything that rotates with the steering wheel goes through it. Air bag. Horn switch. Cruise control switch. Audio controls on the steering wheel (don't know if 3rd Gen's had this feature at the time though).
Well, it turns out that my 1992 Toyota Camry XLE made in Japan (JT Vin Number) came with Connectors that are totally different.
Lack of experience in re-installing the steering wheel, I must have not seated the Clock Spring's inner hub adapter ring. I was force to drive my car and every time I made a significant turn ugly noises were coming from the steering wheel and at times the indicator lever didn't return to it's neutral position which was a BIG alert that something was wrong. The other observations included the HORN didn't work right after re-installing everything and within some time and after driving the car a few more times, the Cruise control switch stopped working all together.
I looked at eBay for a new Clock Spring since during my Google searches I came across a vendor where they make these for most makes and it was completely evident that my Clock Spring was busted as the HORN and Cruise Control goes through the steering wheel. And Finally, the Airbag light came on just one week ago. Therefore, I had to replace my Camry's Clock Spring cable reel assembly as I just could not go without a HORN any further. Airbag will be annoying but, I almost always buckle UP and besides my 1992 doesn't have Airbag on Passenger side.
Those that sell parts from salvage yards and those yards who sell parts directly to customers were asking almost $50 US for used Clock Springs Reel Assemblies. I went to a local U-Pull savage yard by the name LKQ here in Orlando, Florida and I was able to take one off from a 1992 Kentucky made Camry for a cool $10.00 plus the $3.00 admission fee. Needless to say and when I got back home, I noticed that the back plate plastic housing had a smaller connector receptacle than what the original Clock Spring Reel that my beloved 1992 Camry made in Japan came with. Additionally, the Steering Wheel Ring Adapter was totally different as well and I had to modify the part. I was forced to modify the Wire Harness and cut off the original connector that is inserted at the back plastic plate of the Clock Spring Reel assembly and splice in the connector from the Donor Car from the salvage yard.
All was successful as my HORN and Cruise Control works like a charm! The only item still needs attention is the nagging Airbag Light on the Instrument Cluster which I finally found a few threads here on how to reset.
Lessons Learned: Make sure you get your hands on the entire assembly at the Salvage yard so, you won't have to be splicing cables and swapping connectors!
A few pictures:
Here's two pictures of the Clock Spring Reel Assembly I got from that Donor Car (1992 Camry LE) at the Salvage yard.
The frontal connector fortunately is the same as my original and steering wheel connector slide in without any issues!
It's the Back Plate Connector Receptacle that is different and modification of my wiring hardness was necessary!
Like to report that the Clock Spring Reel - Steering Wheel Adapter modification that I did to match the Original Camry's Switch Indicator Housing has been working like a charm!
Any turns either Left or Right, the Indicator Switch arm comes back to Neutral automatically and without any effort on my part so, its working like it should!
I was a little concern because during my attempts to feed through the Airbag Cable through the Steering Wheel when trying to install the Steering wheel onto the steering shaft this dang Adapter kept popping completely out like a gun shot. I had to be careful not to move the assembly while feeding the Airbag Cable so, this would not happen.
Finally, I was able to feed the Airbag Connector through the steering wheel and I quickly slid the Steering wheel onto the Steering Shaft and I heard the Adapter pop but, the Rear "End" Butt of the steering wheel mold pushed this Adapter back in place and in its correct position with the side tabs!
Perhaps this is why my Clock Spring Reel got ruin in the First Place when I installed my Steering wheel in the first place!
Just wanted to share this little but, important detail!