Hey everybody,
I read somewhere about a 2001 Ram clockspring recall. I never received notice about it even though I bought my truck new. Does anybody have any suggestions on how to get mine fixed? I bought it from a dealership about 200 miles away. My airbag light stays on and after searching on the net, I came across the clockspring noted as a recall. I really am not looking foreward to trying to fix this by myself. Any info greatly appreciated.

 

I would just call them on the phone and see what the dealer says.
It should only take about 45 minutes to fix it.

http://dodgeram.info/tsb/recalls/982.htm


Safety Recall #982
Clockspring
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Date: June 2001

Models: 2001 (BR/BE) Dodge Ram Truck built at the:

Warren Assembly Plant from May 16, 2000 through October 23, 2000
"S" in the 11th VIN position AND has a MDH of 0516XX to MDH 1023XX .
St. Louis North Assembly Plant from May 19, 2000 through October 23, 2000
"J" in the 11th position AND an MDH of 519XX thru102300
Lago Alberto Assembly Plant from May 23, 2000 through October 23, 2000
"M" in the 11th position AND an MDH of 0523XX thru 102300
Saltillo Assembly Plant from May 23, 2000 through October 23, 2000
"G" in the 11th position AND an MDH of 0523XX thru 102310
Also includes these trucks:

2000 (AN) Dodge Dakota built from May 16, 2000 through July 5, 2000 (MDH from 0516XX to 0705XX)

2000 (DN) Dodge Durangos built from May 23, 2000 through July 24, 2000 (MDH from 0523XX to 0724XX )

(XX being the hour on a 24 hour schedule)

IMPORTANT: Vehicles that have already had the proper clockspring installed, according to warranty records, have been excluded from this recall. In addition, 1997 - 2001 model year vehicles that have had a suspect replacement clockspring installed, according to warranty records, have been added to this recall.

Subject:

The clockspring on about 200,000 of the above vehicles may break. This could cause the driver's airbag, speed control and steering wheel mounted audio controls (if equipped) to be inoperative. An inoperative driver's airbag will not deploy, which can result in increased injury to the driver under certain accident conditions.

Sound reduction material internal to the clockspring could become detached from the clockspring cover and housing. When this occurs, the material could interfere with the clockspring ribbon and cause an open circuit. The driver air bag system will become disabled and the air bag warning lamp will illuminate on the instrument panel.

The clockspring is the connection in the steering wheel for the radio controls (if you have them) the horn, the cruise and anything else on the wheel including the airbag. The safety people long ago said that slip rings would not do for the airbag circuit, and the other safety related stuff in the steering wheel so they required a clockspring type of wiring to do the job. It is designed to expand and recoil just like a clockspring as the wheel is turned lock to lock and all the time in full direct contact with all the circuits involved.

Repair:

The clockspring assembly must be replaced

Parts:

No parts will be distributed initially for this recall. Dealers should order enough of each clockspring as necessary to support scheduled repairs.

Dealers should determine which clockspring is required for each vehicle at the time appointments are scheduled to assure that the correct part is available when the customer arrives. The clockspring for the vehicle to be serviced may be determined by:

Using the part code in the third column of the VIN list along with the following table (involved dealers)
Using the VIN and part number list electronically transmitted to DIAL System Function 53 (involved dealers)
Entering the VIN into the DIAL VIP System (sales code information) along with the following table (all dealers)
Options Sales Codes Part Code Part Number
NHM RDZ
With Speed Control but Without Audio Controls YES NO 1 56045455AG
With Speed Control and Audio Controls YES YES 2 56045456AG
Without Speed Control or Audio Controls NO NO 3 56045454AG

Note: Sales Code NUM is for Speed Control and Sales Code RDZ is for steering wheel mounted audio controls.

Service Procedure:

1. Place the front wheels in the straight-ahead position.

2. Disconnect the negative battery cable.

NOTE: To enhance customer satisfaction, remember to reset the clock when you have completed the service procedure.

3. From the backside of the steering wheel, remove the two (2) screws that secure the driver's airbag module to the steering wheel (Figure 1)

4. Pull the airbag module away from the steering wheel far enough to access the two (2) wire harness connectors on the back of the airbag module.

5. Disconnect the clockspring horn switch wire harness connector from the horn switch wire connector on the back of the airbag module (Figure 1).

6. Disconnect the clockspring airbag wire harness connector (Figure 1) from the back of the airbag module by firmly grasping and putting, or gently prying, the connector.

NOTE: Do NOT pull on the clockspring wire harness to disengage the connector from the airbag module connector receptacle.



7. Remove the airbag module and set it aside.

8. Disconnect the clockspring wire harness connectors from the speed control switches and remote audio control switches (if equipped).

NOTE: Remove the speed control switches from the steering wheel to access the connectors if necessary.

9. Remove the steering wheel nut.

10. Remove the steering wheel from the steering column using a steering wheel puller (Special Tool C-3428-B).

11. Remove the three (3) screws that secure the lower edge of the steering column opening cover (Figure 2).

12. Using a trim stick, gently pry the upper edge of the steering column opening cover just below the cluster bezel on each side of the steering column to disengage the snap clip retainers. Set the cover aside.

13. Remove the tilt steering column adjuster lever (if equipped).

14. Remove the upper and lower shrouds from the steering column (Figure 3).


Figure 1 Figure 2

15. Disconnect the instrument panel wire harness connector from the lower clockspring connector receptacle.

16. Disconnect the clockspring wire harness connector from the instrument panel wire harness, located on the instrument panel lower reinforcement below the steering column.

17. Remove and discard the clockspring from the steering column by carefully disengaging the plastic latches.

18. Slide the new clockspring over the steering column shaft until the clockspring latches engage the steering column lock housing.

19. Connect the clockspring wire harness connector to the instrument panel wire harness.

20. Connect the instrument panel wire harness connector to the lower clockspring connector receptacle.

21. Install the upper and lower shrouds onto the steering column (Figure 3).

22. Install the tilt steering column adjuster lever (if equipped).

23. Install the steering column opening cover and engage the snap clip retainers.

24. Install the three (3) screws that secure the lower edge of the steering column opening cover (Figure 2). Tighten the screws to 20 in-lbs (2.2 N.m).

25. Install the steering wheel onto the steering column shaft.

26. Install the steering wheel retaining nut. Tighten the nut to 45 ft-lbs (61 N.m).

27. Connect the clockspring wire harness connectors to the speed control switches and remote audio control switches (if equipped).

28. Connect the clockspring airbag wire harness connector to the back of the airbag module (Figure 1).

29. Connect the clockspring horn switch wire harness connector to the horn switch feed wire connector on the back of the airbag module (Figure 1).

30. Install the airbag module onto the steering wheel. Make sure that the clocksp-ring wire harnesses in the steering wheel hub area are not pinched between the airbag module and the steering wheel.

31. From the backside of the steering wheel, instal the two (2) screws that secure the driver's airbag module to the steering wheel (Figure 1). Tighten the screws to 90 in-lbs (10 N.m).

32. With the ignition switch in the ON position, connect the negative battery cable.

33. From outside the vehicle, turn the ignition switch to the OFF position for about 10 seconds and then turn it back to the ON position.

34. Observe the airbag warning light in the instrument cluster. It should illuminate for 6-8 seconds and then go out.

NOTE: If the airbag warning light fails to light or lights and stays on, there is a system malfunction. Refer to the proper Body Diagnostic Procedures manual to diagnose and repair the problem.

Completion Reporting and Reimbursement

Claims for vehicles that have been serviced must be submitted on the DIAL System. Claims submitted will be used by DaimlerChrysler to record recall service completions and provide dealer payments.

Use the following labor operation number and time allowance:

Labor Operation Number Time Allowance
Replace clockspring 19-98-21-82 0.7 hours

Add the cost of the part plus applicable dealer allowance to your claim.

NOTE: See the Warranty Administration Manual, Recall Claim Processing Section, for complete recall claim processing instructions.

Parts Return: Not required.

Owner Notification and Service Scheduling

All involved vehicle owners known to DaimlerChrysler are being notified of the service requirement by first class mail. They are requested to schedule appointments for this service with their dealers.

Enclosed with each owner letter is an Owner Notification Form. The involved vehicle and recall are identified on the form for owner or dealer reference as needed.

Dealers are encouraged to consider alternative scheduling and servicing approaches for this recall. This repair does not require hoists or other full service facility special equipment and is a DaimlerChrysler Mobile Service approved repair.


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Thanks to Bob Bergevin and Barry Drodge for supplying this Recall information.

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This page was edited on: May 3, 2004