While making a sharp left-hand turn heard a pop in the steering wheel and immediately the airbag lights turned on?

Tiny
RLPETERSON78
  • MEMBER
  • 2001 CHEVROLET SILVERADO
  • 6.0L
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 160,000 MILES
I was driving my truck, and I was making a sharp left hand turn and I heard a pop in the steering wheel and immediately the airbag lights came on. I got the airbag off of the steering wheel and I don't see any broken wires. What would cause the sound and the light to come on?
Saturday, November 9th, 2024 AT 11:41 AM

7 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,602 POSTS
Can I ask if you had any steering components changed recently like a steering gear box/rack? If so, the clock spring can be wound up and break which sounds like what has happened. Here is how to change the clock spring out (spiral wire) which should fix the problem. Check out the images (below). Please upload pictures or videos in your response of any problems so we can see what to help you with.
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Saturday, November 9th, 2024 AT 12:03 PM
Tiny
RLPETERSON78
  • MEMBER
  • 103 POSTS
No, nothing was done on the steering wheel. I did have to take the dash off to replace the AC evaporator. So I took the steering column out when I took the das off. It was placed in my garage when I was doing that.

Here are photos of my airbag and the steering column.
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Saturday, November 9th, 2024 AT 12:14 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,602 POSTS
Yep, there you go, the steering wheel can not be moved when the system is apart. The steering wheel will need to be removed to change the part out. Let me know if you need help with that.
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Saturday, November 9th, 2024 AT 12:22 PM
Tiny
RLPETERSON78
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  • 103 POSTS
So I have to replace the clock spring or something else?
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Saturday, November 9th, 2024 AT 12:39 PM
Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 13,462 POSTS
Yes, the clock spring snapped. When you had the column off it must have turned and when it was reinstalled it was off enough that when you turned hard it snapped the internal ribbon. Before you take it apart be sure to rotate the wheel to the lock to the left and then to the right and then rotate it back to center. Now lock it in place at the steering shaft. Make sure the tires are straight and then make sure the wheel is straight. Now you can remove the wheel so you can get to the clock spring. Then be sure it is centered. The cable only has a small amount it can turn over the number of turns lock to lock.
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Saturday, November 9th, 2024 AT 8:11 PM
Tiny
RLPETERSON78
  • MEMBER
  • 103 POSTS
Okay, I turned the steering wheel left and right and center it with the front wheel straight. I then took the steering wheel off and replaced the clock spring. After that I replaced the steering wheel and put the airbag back on. I turned on the truck and the airbag light is still on. What does this point to?
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Friday, November 15th, 2024 AT 7:07 PM
Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 13,462 POSTS
Grab a scan tool and see what code is in the SRS system. It is not really possible to say what the issue is without the testing.
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Friday, November 15th, 2024 AT 8:41 PM

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