Steering Wheel Module Coil

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2008 Suzuki Swift +, 2008 Pontiac Wave, and 2008 Chevrolet Aveo. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Fig 1: Steering Wheel Module Coil

Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

CAUTION: Improper routing of the wire harness assembly may damage the inflatable restraint steering wheel module coil. This may result in a malfunction of the coil, which may cause personal injury.

NOTE: Do not rotate the steering wheel or move the position of the steering gear once the intermediate shaft is disconnected. This will uncenter the Inflatable Restraint coil in the steering column. If the Inflatable Restraint coil becomes uncentered, it may be damaged during vehicle operation.

There is a coil assembly in the steering which is referred to as a steering wheel module coil because of its internal resemblance to the type of spring used in a mechanical clock. The coil spring should never be disassembled, and there is no time keeping function. The steering wheel module coil contains 2 or 3 current-carrying coils. One of the current-carrying coils maintains continuous contact within the driver deployment loop while the steering wheel is rotated. The steering wheel module coil also contains coils that maintain continuous contact for horn and remote audio control switch circuit.

Turning the steering wheel in one direction tightens the coil, and turning the steering wheel in the opposite direction loosens the coil. Do not turn the steering wheel module coil when the steering wheel is not attached. For proper installation of the steering wheel module coil, refer to Inflatable Restraint Steering Wheel Module Coil Replacement .

The steering wheel module coil also includes the wiring and the connectors for the horn circuit and the driver air bag circuit. A yellow 2-way connector on the lower steering column is attached to the steering wheel module coil wiring. The yellow connector to the air bag contains a shorting bar which connects the driver high circuit to driver low circuit when the connector is disconnected.

The shorting bar prevents current from travelling through the steering wheel module during servicing. The shorting bar is disengaged when the steering wheel module coil connector is connected.