Clock Spring

[cathead77]

I was told by a Ford garage mechanic I have a bad clock spring in my 2001 Explorer. I have looked high and low on the internet for a clock spring to fit my Explorer and can't find anything. Why is this such a rare part? By the way, the clock spring goes in the steering column. The horn, cruise control, and stereo controls won't work without it.

 

[stu bag]

Thats right l have the same prob on my 1996 explorer.
l got mine off ebay second hand one.

Stu

 

[cathead77]

Thanks for your reply, Stu. Ebay doesn't have one at this time to fit mine. Thanks a bushel.

 

[stu bag]

Try this guy http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Explorer-Parts-UK
Thats where l got mine.

Stu

 

[cathead77]

Thanks again. I'll check it out.

 

[stu bag]

cathead 77
If you still got the problem l solved mine today it was a fuse under bonnet,
Number 11 20 amp maxi fuse.
Worth a try

Stu

 

[cathead77]

I will sure check it out, Stu. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Joe Dirt]

If it's the cruise not working, nor the horn, it's usually that fuse...

 

[cathead77]

Actually niether the cruise control, horn, nor stereo functions work from the steering wheel. I must ask where this fuse is, though. All the ones I checked were OK. I don't know what the "bonnet" is. I could be looking at the wrong fuses. Thanks.

 

[stu bag]

Sorry mate should have said under the hood.
These is a black box with fuses and relays in, it is number 11 fuse.
Will try to get a picture later.

Stu

 

[cathead77]

Haha......OK, I gotcha, now. I found a black box of fuses under the hood right in front of the driver (if you're driving in the U.S.A.) and the fuses were all good in it. I also saw a #11 fuse in there, but it checked good. Thanks for your trouble.

 

[Joe Dirt]

It is a yellow 20A fuse. Mine was bad and the fuse showed good. Replaced fuse, everything worked.

I didn't have stereo controls on the wheel, but it was the same situation.

If not, I can get a clockspring for you from the yard.

 

[cathead77]

Jo, that would be cool. I will try to get to the bottom of it all. I may holler back at you. Thanks for everything.

 

[stu bag]

cathead77 if you can take the clock spring off and test it with a multimeter
before you buy one.
l didn't test first and l should have done.

Stu

 

[Cobraguy]

To answer your original question, it is not a rare part at all. It's quite common in fact. It's not always called a clockspring. It's also called an "airbag sliding contact". From Ford, it's MSRP is $50.77. Several places sell it for about $40. Not hard to change if you are careful and have the proper tools. Just be careful not to break the new one by removing the lock too soon.

 

[hhf]

could the clock spring cause the horn to go off and stay on...plus a clunk when you turn steering

 

[cathead77]

could the clock spring cause the horn to go off and stay on...plus a clunk when you turn steering

I don't know, but I have since installed a horn button under the dash and forgotten about cruise control or any of the controls on the steering wheel.

 

[white 02]

My problem is when you push the horn they stay on had a blown out varistor in central security module and am thinking could be short in clock spring have tested horn pad and checks ok anyone else had this problem???

 

[Cobraguy]

What????

Can anyone translate that?

 

[cathead77]

Well, I finally traded off my Explorer this week. Never did get the clock spring fixed.