Hyundai Clock Spring Replacement Guide

Check for an open recall before paying anybody. Hyundai has recalled clock springs, and a dealer may do the job for nothing if your car is covered. If it is not, the safety sequence matters more than the tools: wheels straight, key out, negative battery cable off, and at least ten minutes before you touch the airbag.

The most common sign of a failed Hyundai clock spring is the airbag light stays on.

• Airbag / SRS light on
• Horn doesn’t work
• The steering wheel buttons don’t work
• Rubbing noise when turning the steering wheel

When the clock spring fails, you may notice only one of these symptoms; before replacing the clock spring, call a Hyundai dealer near you and check if there is an open recall for your car. The dealership may fix your Hyundai CLOCK SPRING free if an open recall exists.

How to Replace Hyundai Clock Spring

What you will need

• Hyundai Clock Spring
• Flathead screwdriver
• Metric Sockets
• Ratchet
• Work Gloves
• Torque Wrench
• 21mm socket
• 10mm wrench

Procedure

1. Park the vehicle with the wheels pointing forward.
2. Remove the keys from the ignition.
3. Pull the hood release under the dashboard and open the hood.
4. Locate the battery in the engine bay and disconnect the negative cable. You must loosen the 10 mm bolt to remove the cable from the battery post.
5. Wait at least 10 minutes before you start work on the airbag system.
6. Remove the airbag using a screwdriver to press on the three locking pins holding the Hyundai Elantra airbag.
7. Disconnect the wires from the back of the airbag. The yellow connectors have a safety orange clip that needs to be pulled first before you can disconnect the airbag wires.
8. Have a helper hold the steering wheel to prevent it from turning.
9. Next, remove the 21 mm nut holding the steering wheel. It is easier to remove this nut using a breaker bar.
10. Once you remove the steering wheel, you can access the clock spring. Before removing the clock spring, the plastic trim must be removed, which is held in place with three screws.
11. Install the new clock spring in reverse order. New clock springs come locked in the centered position, so do not turn the rotor before fitting it, and remove the locking tab only once it is installed. Ensure all electrical connectors are secure. Refit the steering wheel straight, with the wheels still pointing forward, and tighten the steering wheel nut with a torque wrench to the figure in your service manual.
12. Connect the wires on the back of the airbag and push the orange clips to secure the connector.
13. Press the airbag into the steering wheel to lock it in place. The springs on the steering wheels lock the airbag in place, and no further steps are required to secure the airbag.

If the airbag, SRS, or traction control light comes on, the next step would be to read fault codes. For more help with this step, check out our guide on reading and diagnosing vehicle problems yourself.

Airbag Clockspring Replacement Cost

Replacing a Hyundai clock spring at the dealership can cost anywhere from $650 to $1300. If you return the clock spring yourself, you will spend about $100 on a new one.

After the Repair: Clear Codes and Check the Steering Angle

With the new clock spring fitted and the battery reconnected, the airbag light usually stays on until the stored code is cleared. On many Hyundai models the steering angle sensor is mounted with or near the clock spring, so if the ESC or traction light stays on, the sensor needs a calibration. A scanner that reads the airbag module and runs steering angle calibration on supported models, such as the YOUCANIC UCAN-II Pro, does both jobs.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know I need to replace the clock spring on a Hyundai? 

The airbag light may come on, or the horn will stop working.

Can you replace a Hyundai clock spring yourself? 

Yes. You can replace the clock spring on a Hyundai with only a few essential tools. The key is resetting the new clock spring, so it is in the center.

Do I need to program the clock spring? 

Once the clock spring is replaced, you don’t need to program in most Hyundai vehicles.  The most you may need to do is start the car and turn the steering wheel from right to left several times. Then, drive for a few minutes, and the calibration should be completed automatically.

Photos from Hyundai Airbag Clock Spring Replacement

Troubleshoot and Reset Airbag Problems

Diagnosing and Resetting the Airbag fault code can be done easily using a YOUCANIC UCAN-II Pro scanner. This powerful scanner can help you pinpoint problems, not just with the airbag system but with the other systems on supported Hyundai models.

Applications model years: 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018. Replacing the clock spring on a Hyundai Elantra is easy and requires about 2 hours.

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