Clockspring?
Thread Starter
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7th Gear
Joined: Mar 2025
Posts: 7
Likes: 4
Clockspring?
Hey all, this is my first post on here so sorry for poor wording if so
I’m having some slight issues with my 1994 F-150 5.0, the ABS light is on, the horn doesn’t work, and cruise control doesn’t work, now there are more issues of course but this is what I’m focusing on right now. From what I’ve seen here among other places is that the most likely culprit is the clock spring, and while normally I would go gung ho and order it the only thing that makes me question it is that there’s no airbag light on. I’ve already checked all fuses and the horn itself works and I’ve checked all my abs sensors and they all seem to be in good shape
I just want to look at my options before I order a $140 part and it doesn’t work
All input is appreciated!
I’m having some slight issues with my 1994 F-150 5.0, the ABS light is on, the horn doesn’t work, and cruise control doesn’t work, now there are more issues of course but this is what I’m focusing on right now. From what I’ve seen here among other places is that the most likely culprit is the clock spring, and while normally I would go gung ho and order it the only thing that makes me question it is that there’s no airbag light on. I’ve already checked all fuses and the horn itself works and I’ve checked all my abs sensors and they all seem to be in good shape
I just want to look at my options before I order a $140 part and it doesn’t work
All input is appreciated!
FTE Chapter Leader
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 12,342
Likes: 1,316
From: Central Mississippi
Welcome to FTE.
I "got here" doing a google search for no horn, no cruise, flashing air bag light.
Does the air bag light self test at key on?
You only have 1 sensor for your "RABS" (rear anti-lock brake system) & it lives in the pumpkin & gives a lot of other systems info to make calculations with.
It sometimes has a build up of metal on its magnet.
There is a test of the RABS module that can be performed by grounding a wire to make it flash numerical code. ( but it escapes me at the moment)
Hopefully someone will post it up & give you some better trouble-shoot advice.
I "got here" doing a google search for no horn, no cruise, flashing air bag light.
Does the air bag light self test at key on?
You only have 1 sensor for your "RABS" (rear anti-lock brake system) & it lives in the pumpkin & gives a lot of other systems info to make calculations with.
It sometimes has a build up of metal on its magnet.
There is a test of the RABS module that can be performed by grounding a wire to make it flash numerical code. ( but it escapes me at the moment)
Hopefully someone will post it up & give you some better trouble-shoot advice.
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 10,533
Likes: 2,661
From: Near Salt Lake City
Count the flashes of the airbag lamp
If it comes up a clockspring code, you are on the right track
And
Your 1994 does not have a separate horn ring in conjunction with the clockspring
I would plug an air bag simulator into it and see if the air bag lamp goes out
I would also plug my NGS into it and see what It said
You will have a hard time doing that, (the NGS) but the simulators are out there
I sure would verify the clockspring was plugged in, (before ordering one) and make sure the wiring was intact (what you can see anyway)
I have a few of those air bag simulators if you want to borrow one
They make the airbag lamp diagnosis for an open clockspring a snap
Look into those for your truck
If it comes up a clockspring code, you are on the right track
And
Your 1994 does not have a separate horn ring in conjunction with the clockspring
I would plug an air bag simulator into it and see if the air bag lamp goes out
I would also plug my NGS into it and see what It said
You will have a hard time doing that, (the NGS) but the simulators are out there
I sure would verify the clockspring was plugged in, (before ordering one) and make sure the wiring was intact (what you can see anyway)
I have a few of those air bag simulators if you want to borrow one
They make the airbag lamp diagnosis for an open clockspring a snap
Look into those for your truck
FTE Chapter Leader
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 12,342
Likes: 1,316
From: Central Mississippi
I asked if he has the key on self test illumination.
Thread Starter
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7th Gear
Joined: Mar 2025
Posts: 7
Likes: 4
I would also plug my NGS into it and see what It said
You will have a hard time doing that, (the NGS) but the simulators are out there
I sure would verify the clockspring was plugged in, (before ordering one) and make sure the wiring was intact (what you can see anyway)
You will have a hard time doing that, (the NGS) but the simulators are out there
I sure would verify the clockspring was plugged in, (before ordering one) and make sure the wiring was intact (what you can see anyway)
Okay so
You were right when you said I was overthinking it and I have figured out the ABS light issue, so now the light is off but I’m still having the no horn issue
I haven’t quite been able to check the Cruise Control yet as I’ve not got all the parts back onto the truck but as soon as I test I’ll update, and while I’m at it I’ll go ahead and get a wheel puller to check the clockspring
The airbag light does do a self check when it turns on but doesn’t flash or stay on, the bulb was originally burnt out though so maybe there was an issue before? Regardless it’s not on now so that’s not too much part of my worries
I guess my question now is could the airbag light not be on but the clock spring still be out?
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 10,533
Likes: 2,661
From: Near Salt Lake City
Well, the clockspring has about 6 gold ribbon wires
Any one of them could be broken causing the horn issue
There is also the horn switches. At this point if everything else works, I would sure get at those horn switches and the horn relay for a few tests
Those switches will ground the wire that makes the relay deliver the B+ to the horns
So, you're looking for the ground that the horn switches provide to the horn relay
I'd sure make sure that signal was "not" there before ordering a expensive clockspring
Any one of them could be broken causing the horn issue
There is also the horn switches. At this point if everything else works, I would sure get at those horn switches and the horn relay for a few tests
Those switches will ground the wire that makes the relay deliver the B+ to the horns
So, you're looking for the ground that the horn switches provide to the horn relay
I'd sure make sure that signal was "not" there before ordering a expensive clockspring
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Lead Driver
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yes, yes it could, good read here-->Clock Spring Removal and Installation | Bronco Forum - Full Size Ford Bronco Forum
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