Steering Electrics Not Working?

[TurboBrickTom]

Ok so I just changed the steering rack and pinion with no real issues (other then that 19mm high pressure line :P) but I put everything back together and found out that the electrics in the steering wheel aren't working and the airba light is on. I already checked the fuse and switched it out anyway, as well as checked the plug in underneath and didn't seem to find anything. I'll take a closer look tonight but I want to see if anyone knows the system well enough and can help me narrow down the problem.

[907DAVE]

Was the to steering wheel turned while the rack was out?

The wheel and rack should be centered before the rack is removed and the new rack in the same position before installing, otherwise the clock spring will be damaged.

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[TurboBrickTom]

It was moved but since the rack was broken the steering wheel wasn't straight. I realigned everything while putting it in, I didn't think it would be an issue. Everything is back together and seems/feels perfectly fine other then the electrics. The steering wheel is centred and the steering wheel comes back after the wheels are turned with no issue. I'm worried about the electrics (buttons, horn & aurbag). What would the spring have tt do with the electrics?

[mtroxel]

What would the spring have tt do with the electrics?

The electrics (including air bag) in the wheel all go through the clock spring. But you don't hurt the clock spring unless you pull the steering wheel, then turn the clock spring 360˚, then put the s wheel back on. If you didn't remove the s wheel, I'm betting something's unplugged in the steering column.

[TurboBrickTom]

Alright thanks. I'll take the plastic around the Coloumn off tonight and see if I broke a wire or something. Thanks for the help.

[mtroxel]

#1 is the clock spring. As I recall, it has to plug all the way into #8 which is the module that connects all those signals to the car. I once had the clock spring on without having it plugged all the way into #8. But make sure all it's plugs are all the way in.

[907DAVE]

The clock spring isn't actually a spring, instead a coil of wires housed in an assembly that allows the wheel to be turned without damaging them. Wheel on or off the wires inside of it will be broken if the wheel is turned independent of the steering rack. All it takes it the wheel being one turn off during assembly to ruin it as it can only handle a certain amount of revolutions in either direction.

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[TurboBrickTom]

Oh so I'd probably need a new clock spring because I'm not 100% sure the wheel wasn't turned when reinstalling the rack. Like it can't take it even if the wheel column moves as well? It seems kinda odd that it's like that.

[TurboBrickTom]

I'm pretty sure that's most likely the cause as from what I can tell every plugin is fine.

[mtroxel]

When you get a new clock spring, it will come with a plastic thing that won't let it move. You have to put it on while the rack is pointing the car straight ahead. Call that 0˚. The clock spring is only made to go about 700˚ in either direction. If you put the steering wheel on with the rack turned one full steering wheel turn, now the clock spring can only has about 340˚ of travel in that direction before it comes apart inside.

Given where you are, I’d get it aligned now so you know the rack is at neutral when the wheel is pointed straight. Then I’d get a new clock spring. The steering wheel locks with the clock spring, so if the car is pointed straight and the rack is at neutral, you can't be off by 10˚: but you can be off by 360˚.

[TurboBrickTom]

Any chance I can get a used one at a junk yard (I know I hate junker parts more then anything but the wallet can only go so deep)? Just the whole assembly pictured above from another A4. I feel it may be easier that way other then making sure it is aligned the same way the doner car was.

[mtroxel]

Tom did you do this when you did your rack?



The issue is that the rack needs to be at it's center when the clock spring is installed at it's center. But since you had your tie rods off to do the rack you need an alignment any way. Have them do it. You don't avoid that issue by buying everything in that picture.

I would guess you could get a clock spring at a bone yard. But you don't need all the other stuff in that picture. There is nothing to align about the other expensive switches and modules in the picture. It's all about the c spring being at its center while the rack is at it's center.

[TurboBrickTom]

Ok so when I put the whole rack back together I did indeed leave out that bolt. That being said the alignment has been done since. I also know for fact that the wheel isn't in the original position, I i assume I did break the clock spring (silly me). Is there anyway that bolt can be connected with the rack and everything put in? And if I just get the new spring and throw it in will it work? The signal, cruise control etc; still work it's just anything on the wheel itself.

[mtroxel]

You don't absolutely have to put that bolt in. The idea is that you just put it in till you've got the steering column and wheel on so that straight on the rack is the same as the dead middle of the clock spring and the wheel is pointed straight. Then you take out the bolt in that drawing. The bolt is nice, but you can stick most anything in there and make sure you're dead center when you're attaching things.

I'd hope your alignment guys found the center of the rack before they aligned it. If that's the case, then you just need to put the new clock spring on when the rack and wheels are centered. Put the S wheel over it and tighten it down. If you lost your marks and the S wheel is off center by a tooth or two, you're only off by about 5˚ and that won't break the c spring. Just take it back off and adjust it till it's straight. I lost my marks and had to do that once.

The signal, cruise control etc; still work it's just anything on the wheel itself.

Makes sense. The switches on the stalk don't go through the clock spring. Just the switches and air bag on the wheel itself.

[TurboBrickTom]

Ok I think I got the just understanding now, but what would you say is the best course of action? If I get a clock spring can I get something to use in place of the bolt to realign everything (without removing the rack)? Cause I know the steering wheel is turned slightly right, despite the alignment that was just done.

[mtroxel]

Ask your alignment shop. If they centered the rack and aligned from there, then you need to point the wheels straight ahead, pull the S wheel, put a new clock spring on and re-install the S wheel straight ahead over the new clock spring.