Honda Clock Spring Replacement Guide

Is your Honda airbag/srs light on, traction control/stability light on, or the cruise control doesn’t work? Follow the procedures below to learn how to replace your clock spring.

Symptoms

These are some of the most common symptoms of a bad clock spring on a Honda vehicle.

Airbag / SRS Light on
Horn doesn’t work
Traction Control / Stability Light On
Cruise Control doesn’t work.

Share your symptoms in the comment section below.

What you will need

Honda Clock Spring
10mm open-end wrench
Dashboard trim removal kit
Mechanic Toolset Metric

Procedure

Pull the hood release under the dashboard. Open the hood and disconnect the negative battery terminal.
Wait fifteen minutes before starting to work on the airbag system.
Remove two Torx screws on the side of the steering wheel. A panel on the bottom of the steering wheel will allow you to disconnect the airbag wires. Remove the airbag.
Remove the 14mm bolt that secures the steering wheel in the steering column. Next, remove the steering wheel.
Remove the plastic trim from the steering column. Note that one screw is at the bottom of the plastic trim.
Unclip the clock spring and disconnect the wires. Remove the clock spring.
Install a new Honda clock spring in reverse order.
Reconnect the battery.

When installing a new clock spring, ensure it is in the center. You can verify this before installation.

Turn the clock spring to the right until you feel resistance. Now, count how many turns it takes to rotate the clock spring to the left. If it took six full turns, divide by 2.

From a full turn, the position comes back three full revolutions. This will be the center. The clock spring needs to have three full left or right turns available. Otherwise, the clock spring will get damaged shortly after it is installed.

SRS Light and Steering Angle Sensor Calibration

After you replace the clock spring, you may need to use an OBD-II scanner to clear the airbag codes or carry out the steering angle sensor (SAS) calibration. A generic OBD2 scanner will not help much, but you can use scanners such as YOUCANIC Full System Scanner to carry out these procedures.

Owners of the Honda Accord, Pilot, Civic, Fit, CR-V, Odyssey, Jazz, City, Prelude, and Amaze will also find this guide helpful.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drive with a broken clock spring?

While you can drive a Honda with a broken clock spring, you are at risk because the driver’s airbag may not deploy in case of an accident. Some functions, such as stability control and ABS, may be disabled as well.

Can I fix my broken Honda clock spring?

Repairing broken clock springs is extremely difficult. New and used clock springs are very cheap.

Are a clock spring and spiral cable the same?

A spiral cable is inside a clock spring and often breaks.

Honda clock spring prices?

A new Honda clock spring can cost anywhere from $60 to $200. Double that if you buy it from the dealer.
We hope you find the Honda Clock Spring Replacement Guide helpful. Check these troubleshooting and repair guides for more help on your Honda Civic.

Author

Rushit Hila • ASE Certified

Rushit Hila, an ASE-certified engineer (G1 Automotive Maintenance and Repair), brings over two decades of hands-on experience in the automotive world to his writing. With a strong educational background, including a Master of Science in Engineering and a Bachelor of Science in Engineering, he has honed his skills and expertise through years of practical work. As a respected authority in the field, Mr. Hila is dedicated to offering insightful and valuable content that resonates with both vehicle owners and mechanics.

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