Broken steering wheel

Tiny
JAZZ12345
  • MEMBER
  • 2011 TOYOTA COROLLA
  • 130,000 MILES
I was driving and my lanyard got stuck around the wheel while I was turning. I forced the turn anyways to avoid an accident. Now when my car is fully started, the steering wheel turns 360 degrees and the steering wheel light briefly comes on. Why is that happening and how do I fix it?
Friday, May 29th, 2020 AT 3:56 PM

5 Replies

Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
Can you get a video of what the wheel does? I think I understand but seeing a video will really help.

When you turn the wheel do the front tires respond to you turn the wheel?
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Friday, May 29th, 2020 AT 4:28 PM
Tiny
JAZZ12345
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
The wheels does respond but they don't turn any further than normal. It only does this when the car is started.
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Friday, May 29th, 2020 AT 4:38 PM
Tiny
DANNY L
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,648 POSTS
Hello, I'm Danny.

I'm just curious to know after this accident happened one thing. The headlight and turn signal (combination switch) stays stationary on the left side of the steering wheel. It looks to be that the right side switch that is stationary is the windshield wiper controls. I'm curious to know the lever that spins while turning the steering wheel what that controls? Was this damaged during the lanyard damage? Should this be stationary as well? I've reattached a picture you supplied and circled in red to ask what my question is. Hope this helps us further address the problem. Hope this helps and thanks for using 2CarPros.
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Saturday, May 30th, 2020 AT 1:27 AM
Tiny
JAZZ12345
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
That always moved with the steering wheel. I'm pretty sure it controls the cruise control.
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Wednesday, June 3rd, 2020 AT 8:11 AM
Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
In reviewing that video, is that as far as the wheel turns or are you able to turn the wheel the normal number of rotations? Maybe get a video of you turning the wheel all the way to the left and then all the way to the right.

At this point, I am just suspecting there was damage done to the clock spring which is the component that connects the steering wheel electronics to the steering column electronics. This is why the steering wheel light is coming on but I am just not clear on the turning 360 issue so the new video should help with that.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/symptoms-of-a-bad-airbag-clock-spring
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Wednesday, June 3rd, 2020 AT 8:53 PM

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