Clicking in Steering Wheel

[David N.]

Hey all, something very odd. I recently used the horn for the first time in months and months, and it didn't work. I still have an airbag light on from when the seatbelts went out (I did the fix but haven't gotten the light reset), so I'm assuming that's why the horn doesn't work. But that's not the odd part.

But since pushing down on the horn thing, my steering wheel is starting to make an annoying click every time I try to turn it far to the right. I notice it only makes the sound going one way, and has some scraping sounds too in general. I'm guessing that maybe somehow the horn wire got pushed somewhere weird and it's catching as I twist the steering wheel far enough, but I'm not sure. Has anyone else had this problem?

[RandallNeighbour]

The horn not working and the airbag light are probably not related.

I'm betting you've got a wire that worked loose under your airbag, and you hear it flick past something on right hand turns.

It's easy to check out...

1. disconnect negative terminal on battery. Wait a half hour.

2. Use a T25 or T15 (can't remember the size, frankly) to remove the two rear bolts that hold on the airbag.

3. Carefully pry off the airbag wiring that snaps onto the airbag.

4. Have a look around and see what's going on in there.

One last thing... have you checked the fuse for your horn?

[David N.]

Yeah, I tried setting the horn off by locking the car with a door open, the horn works fine. So it's probably more likely the wire just popped off or something and is now free inside the steering wheel. I'll open it up and check it out, thanks RN.

-David

[Lil bastard]

sounds like the 'clock spring' to me.

[David N.]

I pulled off the airbag last night, the wires looked quite intact and fine, I don't think they are the problem. The sound seems like it might actually be coming from deeper behind the airbag, perhaps in the steering stalk. Hehe, were you being serious about the 'clock spring'?

One thing I did notice, one of the plastic tabs coming through the back of the steering wheel mounting plate was broken. Is it possible the airbag contact spring is loose?

[David N.]

Yeap...clock spring. Gotta replace

[David N.]

Just an update, replaced the clock spring myself. Took maybe 2 hours (the most time consuming was going to the hardware store to buy a socket extender for the steering wheel nut). Steering is smooth and silent now, thanks!

-David