Rack and pinion related to horn?

[raugaj]

I had the rack and pinion replaced on my 97 Avalon and, when the car was returned, the horn, cruise control and air bag were no longer working. The shop claims coincidence saying that the r & p has no relation to the steering wheel. A car savvy guy told me that it sounded like they broke the "clock spring"
Any ideas?
I appreciate any ammo I can get to fight the shop on this.

[TrailDust]

to the nation! I'm moving your thread over to the Avalon forum so the members there can lend you a hand.

[The Digital MagE]

that might be the case. also, there is the possibility that a wiring plug has been disconnected, or come loose. put your head down there and use a flashlight to check the wiring plugs going into the steering column.

BE VERY CAREFUL if you remove the steering wheel. the air bag packs enough power to kill you! i'm dead serious. i don't know the procedure to disarm the airbag but BE SURE YOU DO, before removing the steering wheel!

maybe someone on here knows...

[BMR]

I replaced the steering wheel in my Camry a while back, and my Haynes manual instructed me to disconnect the battery and wait (15 minutes, I think???) for the airbag system to disable/disarm.

Chances are though, that while the rack was out someone gave the steering wheel a spin and messed up the clock spring. Not too long ago, someone posted the exact same scenario as yours, and that's what it turned out to be. I'd post a link to the thread but I can't find it.

Edit: Ah, here it is...

98 Avalon - power steering pump related to the clock spring?

[robcam13]

i am a tech and i broke a clock spring once when replacing the steering shaft. its easy to do and i bet thats your issue.