Possibly destroyed my clockspring - looking for input

2001 XJ

In the process of replacing all my steering components, I dicked with the steering wheel while it was disconnected from the steering gear and turned it more than 1.75 revolutions in both directions (it was a new experience for me, and I was acting a fool, basically). At this point, I don't recall whether or not I ever returned the wheel to its original orientation.

Turns signals work fine (which I don't believe are affected by the clockspring), but I have yet to fully start the vehicle as much more work remains to be done. Now that the new steering gear/linkage is installed, I can rotate the wheel through all 3.5 revolutions without any strange resistance or noises. Turning the key to the "On" position (without starting it) does not yield an airbag light as far as I can recall.

What are you guys' thoughts on verifying the integrity of my clockspring?

take it for a drive and see.

if your cruise buttons don't work anymore it's definitely screwed.

If your airbag light comes on when you start it, it's definitely screwed.

If your horn button doesn't work it's definitely screwed.

Past that point - not really much to verify. They're pretty cheap at the you-pull, just make sure to not destroy the new one too.

I would take out the clock spring and re-center it. Then go for a test drive.

PM me for instructions.

There's a write up in OEM tech somewhere to resolder it. I'm gonna try it on mine.

Holy crap, thanks for the input guys. It'll be a second before the heep is on all fours again but I'll check it soon. Tim, I'll PM you if I can't find the article myself.

Thanks again!

ADJUSTMENTS
CLOCKSPRING CENTERING
If the rotating tape within the clockspring is not positioned properly in relation to the steering wheel and the front wheels, the clockspring may fail during use. The clockspring must be centered if it is not known to be properly positioned, or if the front wheels were moved from the straight-ahead position with the clockspring removed during any service procedure.
WARNING: THE AIRBAG SYSTEM IS A SENSITIVE, COMPLEX ELECTROMECHANICAL UNIT. BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO DIAGNOSE OR SERVICE ANY AIRBAG SYSTEM OR RELATED STEERING WHEEL, STEERING COLUMN, OR INSTRUMENT PANEL COMPONENTS YOU MUST FIRST DISCONNECT AND ISOLATE THE BATTERY NEGATIVE (GROUND) CABLE. THEN WAIT TEN MINUTES FOR THE SYSTEM CAPACITOR TO DISCHARGE BEFORE FURTHER SYSTEM SERVICE. THIS IS THE ONLY SURE WAY TO DISABLE THE AIRBAG SYSTEM. FAILURE TO DO THIS COULD RESULT IN ACCIDENTAL AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT AND POSSIBLE PERSONAL INJURY.
(1) Turn the steering wheel until the front wheels are in the straight-ahead position before starting the centering procedure.
(2) Disconnect and isolate the battery negative cable. If the airbag has not been deployed, wait ten minutes for the system capacitor to discharge before further service.
(3) Remove the airbag module as described in this group.
(4) If the vehicle is equipped with the optional vehicle speed control, unplug the speed control switch wire harness connector in the steering wheel.
(5) Remove the nut that secures the steering wheel to the steering column upper shaft.
(6) Remove the steering wheel with a steering wheel puller (Special Tool C-3428B).
(7) Rotate the clockspring rotor clockwise to the end of its travel (Fig. 14). Do not apply excessive torque.
(8) From the end of the clockwise travel, rotate the rotor about two and one-half turns counterclockwise, until the rotor flats are horizontal. If the clockspring wire harness is not at the bottom, rotate another one-half turn.
(9) The front wheels should still be in the straightahead position. Install the steering wheel being certain to fit the flats on the hub of the steering wheel onto the formations on the inside of the clockspring. Pull the wire harness from the clockspring through the lower hole in the steering wheel hub. Tighten the steering wheel nut to 61 N·m (45 ft. lbs.). Be certain not to pinch any of the wiring between the steering wheel and the nut.
(10) Install the airbag module as described in this group.

Right out of the FSM...

o-gauge-steamer said:

ADJUSTMENTS
CLOCKSPRING CENTERING
If the rotating tape within the clockspring is not positioned properly in relation to the steering wheel and the front wheels, the clockspring may fail during use. The clockspring must be centered if it is not known to be properly positioned, or if the front wheels were moved from the straight-ahead position with the clockspring removed during any service procedure.
WARNING: THE AIRBAG SYSTEM IS A SENSITIVE, COMPLEX ELECTROMECHANICAL UNIT. BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO DIAGNOSE OR SERVICE ANY AIRBAG SYSTEM OR RELATED STEERING WHEEL, STEERING COLUMN, OR INSTRUMENT PANEL COMPONENTS YOU MUST FIRST DISCONNECT AND ISOLATE THE BATTERY NEGATIVE (GROUND) CABLE. THEN WAIT TEN MINUTES FOR THE SYSTEM CAPACITOR TO DISCHARGE BEFORE FURTHER SYSTEM SERVICE. THIS IS THE ONLY SURE WAY TO DISABLE THE AIRBAG SYSTEM. FAILURE TO DO THIS COULD RESULT IN ACCIDENTAL AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT AND POSSIBLE PERSONAL INJURY.
(1) Turn the steering wheel until the front wheels are in the straight-ahead position before starting the centering procedure.
(2) Disconnect and isolate the battery negative cable. If the airbag has not been deployed, wait ten minutes for the system capacitor to discharge before further service.
(3) Remove the airbag module as described in this group.
(4) If the vehicle is equipped with the optional vehicle speed control, unplug the speed control switch wire harness connector in the steering wheel.
(5) Remove the nut that secures the steering wheel to the steering column upper shaft.
(6) Remove the steering wheel with a steering wheel puller (Special Tool C-3428B).
(7) Rotate the clockspring rotor clockwise to the end of its travel (Fig. 14). Do not apply excessive torque.
(8) From the end of the clockwise travel, rotate the rotor about two and one-half turns counterclockwise, until the rotor flats are horizontal. If the clockspring wire harness is not at the bottom, rotate another one-half turn.
(9) The front wheels should still be in the straightahead position. Install the steering wheel being certain to fit the flats on the hub of the steering wheel onto the formations on the inside of the clockspring. Pull the wire harness from the clockspring through the lower hole in the steering wheel hub. Tighten the steering wheel nut to 61 N·m (45 ft. lbs.). Be certain not to pinch any of the wiring between the steering wheel and the nut.
(10) Install the airbag module as described in this group.

Right out of the FSM...

Click to expand...

Tim_MN sent me the same info, and I noticed the verbage and formatting looked eerily familiar. I love the XJ FSM.

Thanks again guys!

Just turn On the ignition and push the horn if it wotks your fine. With only 1.5 turns itll be fine. I turned mine propbably 6- 10 rotations and mine was fine.

Approximately 5 turns is the total travel of the 97-01 clock spring. Exceeding that limit risks wrecking the clock spring. New ones ain't cheap.

Dorman actually makes them now and avaialble at advance.. Mopar $200 Dorman $67. Recenter it or When in doubt put a new one in.

or junkyard (bring a DMM and make sure it's in good shape... and don't bother pulling any out of vehicles with the airbag deployed) for $10-20.

I pulled the clockspring from the CC donor XJ when I added in my Cruise. I think the yard charged me $5 for it...

Pulled it just to be sure I had the correct part prior to the CC install.