How The VW Clock Spring Fails 

Experienced all 3 of those things randomly last night & this finally explains it all.. Thanks for sharing!

I recently bought an 06 Jetta 2.5 as a fixer-upper--my first car in 7 years. The previous owner had a 3 page list of problems from a dealer comprehensive inspection and one problem was the horn not working and an airbag light. I used your videos to self-diagnose this as a bad clock spring. After 2 tries, I found and installed the right one (a parts chart was off by one letter on the first try). In the process of removing the module on the bottom side of the steering column and the other one immediately below the clock spring I got pretty vicious with it using a screwdriver trying to pry it loose--grrr… darn hard to reach clips! (Never get too overenthusiastic kids!) After the first reassembly, only the center instrument panel worked (odometer, doors open, etc.) The car wouldn't turn over or even click. I went a bought and installed a new battery just in case). Went back in to the column to see if I had left something unplugged or pinched a wire, and now after second reassembly, none of the instrument panel works, and the car doesn't turn over or click. I seem to be doing more damage than good. Could I have done something to either of those two module that would prevent the car from now even showing when the door is open? (The battery is giving juice--the alarm system indicator is lit on the drivers side door and the interior lights are working). This is turning into an albatross around my neck and a dark cloud over my head. Any advise anyone?

One of best informative video on you tube regarding VW group clock spring

Thanks for this video Charles! I'm thinking this is what might be going on with my wife's 2013.5 Beetle Turbo. I got in her car the other day and when I started it the steering wheel light, ABS light, traction control light, airbag light, and tire sensor light all came on. The car gave me two faults on the vehicle status display - "Error: Airbag" and "Fault: ABS/Stability Control (ESC)". The horn and all steering wheel buttons work though, and aside from all the annoying lights everything seems to run and work fine. I'm a novice at repairing my own vehicles so I am not sure I will do this repair myself. Great video man - very informative!

Never knew what a clock spring was until I watched this video lol. Great info man.

Always saving the day man, love the videos!!

Thanks man, had all three issues. Hitting the picknpull tomorrow for a clock spring

Really useful info. Thanks for the video!

Just watched this, how timely with a clock spring recall/service program coming soon. Thanks for the info Charles.

2014 VW Jetta TDI with 22k miles on it, horn quit working and airbag light comes on sometimes. Thank you for this video.

Thank you,Now I know why my x5 got all 3 symptoms...Great info👍🏽

I had my steering wheel replaced due to leaking fluid, there were two places that was worn. Can the steering wheel rack and pin exchange affect the clock spring that the horn stops working? Thank you for shedding light to a subject, for someone like me who does not understand the workings of a car.

Really interesting!!! Thank you for your sharing!!!

Great video. My clock spring was creaking every time I turned three wheel. The tech replaced it yesterday; today, my horn is randomly beeping. Back to the dealership tomorrow! No service lights or anything.

Excellent, thanks for posting this.

Always love to watch your videos ❤ From UK

Great video , excellent diagnostic tips.!

hi I'd like to know how to adapt Audi tt steering Angle sensor. I've put a new clock spring and now my traction control light is on. so how do I reset it?

Great info video on the clock Spring. I have a 03 Passat GLX 4-motion - any chance you know this very basic clock Spring requires some dealer code reset or does an OBD2 tool justify if needed? Don’t want to replace and have more codes pop up. Let me know if you can. Thanks 🙏

Thanks for this video, Charles. I have a 2019 Golf. Cruise control didn’t work. They replaced the buttons. Didn’t help. The clock spring. Didn’t help (+ my steering wheel was put back on without proper alignment). Then they replaced the harness, which fixed the problem. But now I hear a rubbing or feel some friction when I turn the steering wheel. Not a ton. But it’s there. Is that normal? Could something be misaligned or crimped or something? It’s been about two months now. Thanks, Charles. I’m a new subscriber and follow the dudes at DAP too. 👊🏼.

2004 bmw 330 xi suddenly horn stopped working radio on off when visor lights pulled down air bag off. BMW said it Clock spring and ignition switch is that the likely problem One or both?. also a new airbag got installed about 1 year ago on the steering wheel .

Thanks for the video, looks pretty clear that must be the faulty part on my VW Tiguan. From a driver point of view: airbag light on, buttons not working on the wheel, front-assist disabled. Technically, I plugged a cheap OBD dongle and made some diagnostics. At first I thought it was a CAN module that was faulty but all errors are matching the symptoms you describe, you said "Igniter" and it rang a bell. Will bring it to a dealer, I don't feel like playing with an airbag. Hope it helps someone with similar issues. Raw code: 030231 ECU: 19. CAN Gateway Status: Test failed, Confirmed Status bits: 1 Priority: 2. Raw code: 000434 ECU: 13. Active cruise control Status: Test failed, Confirmed Raw code: 90001B ECU: 15. SRS Status: Test failed, Confirmed, Warning indicator requested Volkswagen: B10001B: Driver airbag igniter

Hey man. great video. I changed my steering wheel and my power steering went out. would the clock spring be related to this in a mkv jetta? since it's electric?

Thank you for responding. They initially said it may be a cluster problem, but when it was hooked up yo the scan they said it was my lock cylinder. I got that replaced and there's still a problem

hi . tahnks for video man. but i have still same problem after replaced part clock spring . b1801 b1811 error code toyota highlander how can diagnostic ? thanks

Simple but great info, although (me) being a DIYer, why is it important to know if the vehicle is a B6 passat or what ever model vehicle? I am lost when the import communities is trying to refer to that specific model "(B6)"

Hi humble mechanic, thanks for the video. My clock spring failed in a 2014 RS5. I was wondering if you know if the clock spring in the RS5 is the same as the VW ones that failed. I heard it’s unusual that the RS5 clock spring failed. Also, are there preventative measures to have a clock spring last for as long as possible. Thank you so much once again.

I have a 13 A6 that the ribbon broke on mine, do you by chance have a step buy step on how to replace it.

Any suggestions for a Traction Control light that won't go off after an ignition cylinder housing replacement on a 2010 beetle?

I've been reading on all the forms about and issue that from what I can gather is this, BUT, I don't have any issues with my horn or anything else. it's just a clicking sound coming from the steering column. it sounds like a solenoid clicking on and off rapidly. it seams to not do it as much when the stereo is muted. this is on a 2010 gti. think this could be related to this? thanks!

I have the airbag and horn faults, could this also cause the windshield washer pump to not work? is there anything other than a faulty pump I should be looking at?

Howdy Charles. Whilst a certain amount of caution is advised when doing any work on cars, the only precaution you need to take with airbags is to keep the key OUT of the ignition (actually me and my colleagues have changed seats with airbags with the engine running many many times with no issue, but hey ho! I wouldn't encourage that). Neither do you need to worry about using an ohmmeter. In fact, you should. All the ignitors should read 2.3 +/-0.3 ohm - useful to know if you're trying to trace a fault without a scan tool. Unless you're working on an old car with a really REALLY early SRS system, in which case, disconnect the battery!! Some dumbass manufacturers started fitting SRS that was always live even when the car was off and locked!!! Ford, GM, I'm talking to you!!

Would a faulty clock spring cause your music volume to increase randomly when turning? That’s the only issue I’m having

I have a dodge journey 2009 SXT. Air bag light turn on as soon as I start driving and stays on. I removed Clockspring and tried to test it and it looks good. Please advise me.the fix.

Can a steering angle Sensor (G85) fault affect the way the car feels on the road, ie. swaying, feeling loose, etc ?

steering horn don’t work and remote doesn’t beep & Alarm don’t work. Could it be the clock spring? 2015 vw tdi sel 55k No dash lights 03591 signal horn activation sporadic 011 open circuit What’s that?

cool bud, i like ur founders stickers, that brewery is up here in michigan by my hometown. real cool place

I have a low pitched "cracking" in my steering column but I dont have an airbag light i can use my horn and my wheel controls work. Do you still think its a clock spring?

I retro fit a steering wheel/airbag from a different year car. horn & controls don't work or light up. I tried to install my airbag that came with the car and the lights came on but the airbag won't click in. so my question is, do I need a "matching" clock spring to go with the different year airbag? please help....

hey í have an 04 passat glx and í changed all the airbags and the module but not the Clock spring and when í was done the car honked like never before but í disconnected it is so could it be the Clock spring ?

Hey, my steering wheel buttons and horn don’t work, I’ll go into a bit off detail as to what happened before, so we took everything out from a 2019 van and put it into a 2005 shell, so everything like electricals, struts, engine, dash, roof lining, flooring, ect… after we got everything connected to turned over the van and it ran, it also drives, everything in it seems to work fine except for the steering wheel as I stated earlier, would it be the clock spring?

Hi from Greece. I have this problem with my touran and my mechanic says that an aftermarket part does not work correctly and i have to get original part which is pretty expensive. Any ideas? Is it correct that aftermarket part has issues? Nice video by the way

My traction light and tire pressure light is on and i am getting 00778, p1698, and b11689 code. Do i have to change the steering angle sensor? Please help me out.

I changed my audi a4 2008 b8 clock spring because of air bag but after changing it, esp and coil light is on. Do I need to scan the system again and how to do calibration?

Our clock spring went out. Waiting on part from back order. Car(2105 VW Passat) all of sudden car won’t start randomly. Can the clock spring cause this? I think it’s the solenoid on the starter getting stuck. Thank for your input.

I thought so too, that's why I wanted to get a better opinion. They are giving me the clock spring for $75, no labor (this is the Volkswagen dealership). Do you recommend I just get the part or just go elsewhere? I got the lock cylinder replaced through them and I'm still having the immobilizer problem. I kinda want them I finish what they started so this won't be a complete waste of money 😕

Charles, if changing a steering wheel in a mk4 does the little connector that goes into the air bag matter witch way it goes in?

I have a 2009 vw transporter (uk) its making a real bad rumbling/grinding noise when steering. It seems to be coming from just below the steering wheel. I only have to turn the wheel a few degrees and it rumbles... Ive changed all the top mounts. Could it be the clock spring? It really is coming from the steering column rather than thr rack or top mounts

Could a failed clock spring cause a short on the airbag control module? I turned my steering wheel on my 2011 VW Tiguan SEL and it clicked while turning and then the airbag light came on. The dealer said the control module failed from a short and I feel like an airbag control module of all things doesn't just short for no reason. But then again, I'm no mechanic. Thanks in advance!

What about a 2009 GTI will I need to code it after replacing

Hey Humble, I have a 2014 Tiguan where the we recently got a Red solid steering wheel indicator come on and stay on with the loss of Power steering. We have had 3 mechanics throw a scanner / diagnostic reader on the car and wasn't getting any reading to point them in the right direction. (1) Have you seen this happen to many other Tiguan's for that year and (2) do you know what would cause this so we can try and fix the issue? Appreciate any and all feedback, hope you have a great day Bud and stay Humble!

Is it common for electronic steering to fail with airbag light on. It goes away if I restart a few times or clear the 00003 code? 2016 FWD Tiguan (USA)

would the clock spring cause my steering wheel to completely lock up? not the steering wheel lock..but the steering wheel is actually not movable.(can't turn it) or is that the whole steering column assembly that's bad? any idea?

Dude I need some help, I've got an issue either steering light showing up, diagnose test shows it's the steering angle sensor error no communication, I have changed it already but it failed to reset, also that triggers the rear abs sensor not responding, I've spent so much already and it's still not fixed. Need help please

Ill have a 2007 eos 2.0T .having trouble off comunication to the ecu ..mecanics cant fix it .ill need some help for real .any shop in dallas .please help

Hello i have a 2017 Volkswagen Passat and of course I scanned it and yes it is the clock spring. Please can you please let me know how the steering come off? Where is the rear bolts or screws that hole the air bag on. Also last do this clock spring have to be programmed

This is so frustrating for me because I took it to dealer and he basically told me there's no way it could be my clock spring because it doesn't control the ARS on the airbag , and I tried to explain to him that there are variations in clock springs and flat out said no and that he had been working on vw's for ten years and that I didn't need to advise him on vw's and there's no way a bad clock spring would make an airbag and ARS light and ABS light come on, but my thinking is that since ARS is tied to ABS system it makes sense that both lights would come on along with airbag.....am I right or am I just deeply confused

Epc light turn on clean the throttle and it use have P2101 P2212erase codes then took it for a ride it seem find but it turn on again with a P2212 and started rev by itself when being stop and hard to accelerate

That was very helpful.

I have a 2016 Passat (only 14k miles on it) and have the same problem You would think that after all of these failures the company would address the problem.

Thanks for the info.. Bt can u pls tell how much a clock spring costs for vento 1.6 CR

Just replaced mine, ribbon was pinched which gave airbag and steering angle sensor code, displayed as ABS fault which real

I got a sudden airbag warning and a crinkle sound of that exact sounding ribbon you pulled out like a tape worm. Sure hope mines DIY

Both horn and horn alarm sound are not working. What would be the cause for this?

Thanks for the vid. I guess i'll be making a video on this myself. I'm broke right now so I was really hoping it would be something that could be easy to fixed without having to buy a new one. Them things are expensive. I feel bad for the people who can't do this kind of work themselves, having to buy the clock spring that cost so much then they have to pay a mechanic. My horn went out on my 2007 toyota tundra and inspection is due, so its not like I can just drive around without a horn, there's no way the inspection will past without a horn.

Thanks for the great video. I have a 2007 Eos with a persistent yet intermittent airbag light. 01217 - Side Airbag Igniter; Driver Side (N199) 001 - Upper Limit Exceeded - Intermittent - MIL ON The TSB regarding the wiring under the seat was already resolved by previous owner. I checked the wiring and it looks good. I checked the measurement value blocks Group [21] and the driver side igniter resistance is higher, 3.2, than the others (3.2, 2.4, 2.6, 2.6). I have also checked, disconnected and cleaned the contacts below the seat. What do you think? Is it the clock spring?

I replaced my clock spring on my passat b5.5 (3bg) and got steering angle sensor, went away to a workshop and got the DTCs out and the sensor was dead in the new one and also got "module not coded", switched back to the old one and still have the same issues :(

Thanks again, My polo 2020 model was the horn and controls was not working at all. I then switched my car off . Removed all the terminals on the battery. Then put them back in place “terminals “ Try horn the car while it is off , “engine not running “ It horned. Put the car on . The controls started working.. It has been 2momths now , horn and controls not working. I went to Vw , they told me stories.. Now everything is in order

thank you , you helped a bunch

Thanks for the video. PLEASE help me to know how much this repair SHOULD cost from my VW dealer shop for our 2016 Tiguan? I am taking it there today and want to know a fair, ball-park price out the door. Any idea?? Thanks!!

hi I have vw GTI 2013 2.0 i used to have water leak in water pumb and I change it and now my car dont go for over 140 km and I feel like the car no power like something hold u not much power can u help me with it pls and I dont feel the trupo working and people tell me need to change boost control and I did but nothing stil the same as u drive normal car and advice

Thanks a million

Hi, I have a golf 2005 gt tdi 2.0 ... and my airbag, esp, power steering and traction lights are on. My local mechanic did mention all these sensors are linked together on the Clock spring so that could be the issue. .. will replacing this part do the job? ( plus the abs kicks in when I go over 60mph and puts engine into 'limp mode' because the other lights on dashboard are lit).

At first I thought you literally meant a spring for a clock - like, "they still use springs in clocks? :) Here we call them "slip ring" or airbag slip ring (or they were when I was last working on them). If I recall, I think I had only replaced one or two of them back in the day. They weren't something that failed too often, but they were more basic back then and were only used for the airbag connections.

How do you know when the clock spring is centered?

I got the fault code 00573 - Steering Torque Sensor (G269) 008 - Implausible Signal. Any ideas?

I need this guy for my vw thank you for the video. Do you work on vehicles ?

My 2013 Passat TDi steering wheel is making crinkly sounds when turned past a full rotation, and the air bag light just came on. Willing to bet it is this

My steering controls and horn are not working after getting the vehicle through auction sales, no airbag sign on dash board, scan tool shows U108E. The clock spring installed was a 2019 manufactured. My vehicle is a 2104 VW Passat 1.8L turbo, is there any way you can help?

Hi again, I have a question about where to get a clock spring for my '07 Beetle. I got one that "fits my car" online but the connections are different. My car has occupancy sensors and electronic stability control and apparently the clock spring I bought doesn't work with those features. Every website I've looked at keeps showing me the same part that I already bought, the Dorman 525-701.

Is there a recall for this part ?

I tried to put my wheel back on and this just popped off and everything came out . I can’t get it back perfect my wheel clicks while turning .. could I just remove this and have no horn and air bag? 95 golf . Or will this mess up my wheel turning while driving ?

Bro i want ask u...clock spring glof mk6 and golf mk5 it same or not?

Is the clock spring another word for steering wheel angle sensor I have steering light on abs light on traction control light on and steering wheel light on thanks in advance and when I turn the steering wheel my steering angle sensor it stays at zero. Its the clock spring take away abs light away from that I think that's a different issue

what's up my botha hey can you make a video about replacing or fixing a power steering pump mine is really noisy on my mk2 vr6 2.8

Hi, everything is working in my 2010 golf but I have a slight noise when steering the wheel... Could it be this ribbon inside?

Great Vids by the way

Hi, I've had a similar issue, steering ci yrols don't work, paddle shifters dint work

Nice. Thanks

Damn my a4 b6 275k miles and now it trows out in vcds this but doesn't show on dashboard like esp or brake

I replaced the clockspring on a 2007 Jetta and all the lights came off after a short drive except the airbag light which was on before the clock spring repairs , also horn didn’t work prior to repair, horn worked after repairs. Do you have any idea or tips on what can it be

Well my 2003 B5.5 horns do not work but when I push the on the steering wheel I do hear the horn relay. Could it still be the Clock Spring??

I have a Passat TD 2013-My- it is still under warranty. I had to have a new steering lock installed as the car would not turn off - we found a way to jiggle with it and turn it off. Upon driving home after they had fixed that I found that the horn was not working ( lucky there was no accident)-Nor any of the steering wheel controls. Took it back and was told that on of the plugs was not put in all the way and that they taped so that through vibration it would not come out again. The said this is what they were doing with the Jetta that were coming in with a similar problem. Ok they taped it and it works BUT I do not feel it should have to be taped- but should be securely clip in as in the original condition. As I said it is under warranty. In your opinion do you think that the clock spring should be replaced? Is it negligence on the techs part not to have seen that/or check for full functioning of vehicle when they were fixing the steering lock problem? Thanks for any info before I call up service manager to complain. (I see below that there is a recall coming up- but not sure for what exactly)

Mine just went bad 75k on a ‘17 golf. The 15 golfs had a recall on this but my vin doesn’t register as eligible for the recall. I’m gonna talk to my VW service department about that.

3:55 Does the clock spring tell the car what the steering angle is? How do you make sure the clock spring is installed perfectly centered to the steering wheel being straight? Is it important for the clock spring to be installed perfectly centred? Or will it calibrate itself if it's not perfectly centred?

@HumbleMechanic My dad and I changed the lock cylinder out of my 2007 VW Jetta 2.5L Wolfsburg Edition, in this process we disconnected the battery and removed the clock spring. Not sure if the clock spring was rotated in the process but steering wheel is straight and everything looks and feels proper. But I have a solid yellow steering wheel light on my dash. I have tried everything from dosconnecting the battery for an hour to reset it, all the way to turning all the way left and then all the way right and driving straight for a bit. No luck... should I just replace the clock spring? Or is there a way to reset it without VCDS? Thanks!

Have you ever swapped internals from a, c to a d clock spring on a mk5? D as original and c as aftermarket, putting the internals to make the d work? Thanks.

Just got a letter telling me the warranty on this for my Mk7 Golf has been extended. I guess a number of VW from 2010 to 2022 have had it fail, and VW will replace it when it happens. So I guess I got it covered should it ever go bad for now. But this is now good stuff to know.

I had the clockspring replaced in my 2013 VW Passat TDI in Sept 2014, thankfully it was under warranty. Today (10 months and 20,000 miles later) the clockspring went out again. The car is out of warranty. Do you know if this something I'm going to have to replace very year? Thanks for the video!

I have a 2000 mk4 gti 1.8t with a EPC light issue. Ive LITERALLY replaced every part for that light and got it recalibrated. But once i touch the gas pedal EPC light comes right back on and i have very little power and boost wont even get out of vacuum. Would this be a reason im having EPC light issues or can it be a short? My horn still works when i press down on the air bag and when i lock my car. Ive been trying to fix this for a year and a half now and i could really use the help