M35 Airbag Fault Clock Spring Tutorial

[PN-Mad]

Hi Guys,

Thought I would write up a tutorial, as I just finished changing the clock spring in my M35. This is the most common cause of the Airbag error light flashing on the dash in modern Nissans.

First of all, the disclaimer - you take on any work at your own risk, I'm in no way responsible for damage to you or your car if you attempt this. If you don't know how to do mechanical stuff, this probably isn't for you. We are dealing with an airbag, which contains explosive material and mishandling will set it off and break your face. Right?

Backstory: OK, I have a flashing airbag error light. Unfortunately my error code reading system wouldn't read the airbag errors, only BCM and ECU related codes. So off I go to my friendly Nissan Dealer. Plugged into CONSULT, I get a B1049 Drivers Airbag module Open code.

My friendly Nissan Tech explains the most common fault from this is the Clock Sping, which is the unit that keeps the airbag electrically connected while you are swinging the wheel back and forth. In fact, by chance he has to do one on a Pathfinder that arvo (it's that common...).

Looked up the part in FAST, and ordered it. The cost is around the $180 mark incl GST from the dealership. 2 week wait ex Japan.

On to the fitting!

The only special tool you will need is a 6 pointed T30 security torx style thingo. This is to undo the airbag in the very first step. The entire process shouldn't take you more than about 1 hour. Took me a little longer taking photos and finding out shit along the way.

FIRST STEP-

Park the car on a level place, with the steering centred. Turn car off.

****DISCONNECT THE BATTERY**** this is very important cause you don't want the airbag to go off in your face. Drain the system of any residual charge via the horn, interior lights, etc etc.

Undo the two security torx bolts that hold in the airbag.

The airbag will slide out towards you. Point it away from you.

Look at the back of the airbag, using a small flathead screwdriver, gently raise the black tab on the plug, and pull the yellow connector out. Place the airbag somewhere out of the way, with the nissan badge facing upwards, not near any electrical charge.

Next unplug the yellow earth, and grey plug. Using a 19mm socket, loosen the steering wheel nut, but don't remove it completely. Pull the steering wheel towards you, this will require force, and a bit of a wiggle (or a puller if you have one...).

Place the steering wheel aside.

This is what it will look like

On the underside, remove the two phillips screws, and the cover will split in half

Now the clock spring is held on by two Phillips screws, either side, at the 8 and 4 positions. Remove the large plug from the top left if the unit, and once you have taken the screws out, remove the two plugs on the bottom of the unit, one yellow, one grey. There is a small clip on the top of the unit to hold it in place, depress and remove it.

It will then come off into your hands. You will have to change over the stalks onto the new unit. this is done by depressing two clips on either side of the stalk and pulling it out. It has a little plug that will guide you. Put them back onto your new clock spring, making sure the clip into place, and the plugs are fully seated.

Notice the new clock spring has a plastic guard over the plug. The clock spring comes pre-centred. Do not remove this until you are ready to place the steering wheel back onto the clock spring. This ensures it works for the range of motion of the wheel, and isn't 360 degrees out of alignment.

To put your new assembly back on, plug in the three plugs, and tighten the two Phillips screws. Put the yellow airbag plug through the hole in the steering wheel, and plug the yellow earth, and grey steering wheel control plug back in. Make sure you put the steering wheel back on straight- there are guide markings. Tighten the 19mm nut firmly. Tuck the wires back into their holders.

Carefully replace the airbag plug, and depress the black clip to secure the plug. Slide the airbag unit back onto the wheel, and secure it via the two torx fittings.

Connect your battery, and go and turn your ignition on, but make sure you are not sitting in the drivers seat ( do it from outside the car, incase you have farked up...). Nothing explodes...? Good.

Check all your stalk functions and horm works ok.

Now, to clear the flashing light, follow the steps found in other posts, which is basically turn ign on, as soon as you see the airbag light go off, turn ign off, wait 5 secs turn ign on again, repeat this 4 or 5 times. Start the car and the airbag light should not be flashing.

Have a beer.

[Daleo]

Great tutorial Alex!

As I don't have a clock spring fault; I just skipped to the final step.

How many times should I repeat this step?

[PN-Mad]

As many times needed to reach full capacity.

Capacity is reached when you think this is a cock spring tutorial, and you find it abnormally amusing.

Post results.

[Daleo]

Have had several cans (possibly more) am amused, but not by teh cawk.

Will keep drinking.

[PN-Mad]

For science!

[Dunc]

Great write up Alex, this is actually a really good post for how to remove the steering wheel in general actually! That's something I've been meaning to look in to, I've got a good condition spare one I've been meaning to fit; now I have no excuse not to

[PN-Mad]

Well! almost a couple of weeks later, no fault lights.

So problem fixed!

I suggest if you have an airbag fault, you get the code scanned, and figure out what the problem is

[Shopping Trolley]

Cheers. For the write up. Did my clock spring today, horn now works and I managed to clear the abs light after I stupidly unplugged couple things at an earlier foray with battery connected.

Thumbs up to Cockram Nissan in Christchurch, 5 mins on phone at 3pm and it was on my doorstep in Napier at 9am in morning. $340 Must be a common thing as they had three already in stock.

Might add couple pics on weekend