1997 Buick LeSabre - Air Bag Clock Spring
What Does An Air Bag Clockspring Do?
The airbag clockspring in your vehicle is a safety component responsible for connecting the electronic controls in the steering wheel to their respective systems. These controls can include the air bag, radio controls, cruise control, horn, and more, depending on your vehicle. An airbag clock spring allows the steering wheel to be turned while still maintaining a secure electrical connection to all of your steering wheel-mounted controls, and utilizes a contact plate and spring-loaded terminals that keep power flowing regardless of steering wheel angle. Over time and with use, the contacts in the airbag clockspring can suffer wear and no longer remain in consistent contact. This breaks the circuit and limits communication between your vehicle and steering wheel. If your airbag clockspring shorts out or fails, it is not uncommon for the horn or steering wheel controls to no longer operate as they should. In some vehicles, a failing airbag clockspring may result in an illuminated airbag warning light on your vehicle's dash, alerting you that your airbag may not deploy in the case of an accident. In cases of extensive wear or damage, you may notice sparking or blown fuses in systems that rely on the airbag clockspring. Because the airbag clockspring is responsible for your airbag and horn operation, it should be replaced if needed as soon as possible to ensure your safety on the road or in the case of an accident. O'Reilly Auto Parts carries airbag clockspring replacement parts, as well as replacement steering wheel controls and fuses for most vehicles on the road.