The spiral cable air bag squib ring maintains electrical continuity to the airbag system as your steering wheel rotates, allowing the airbag control module to send deployment signals to the driver-side airbag regardless of steering angle. It's essentially a rotating electrical connector that bridges the fixed wiring in the steering column to the moving airbag squib (igniter) in the steering wheel hub.
Mounted inside the steering column just behind the steering wheel hub, the spiral cable sits between the fixed steering column electronics and the rotating steering wheel assembly. You'll need to remove the steering wheel and the column cover panels to access it, as it's a core component of the airbag's electrical pathway.
A faulty spiral cable typically triggers an airbag warning light on the dashboard that won't clear, or causes intermittent airbag faults that appear and disappear as you turn the wheel. Occasionally the horn circuit fails instead, as some designs share the spiral cable path, and you might notice poor or no horn function alongside airbag warning codes.
Diagnosis starts with scanning the vehicle's airbag module for fault codes—usually code 11 or similar indicating a squib circuit break—and a technician will test continuity through the spiral cable as the wheel is rotated to confirm it's the culprit. The fix requires removing the steering wheel and column trim, disconnecting the old spiral cable, fitting the new one in the correct neutral position, and recalibrating the airbag system to clear codes and verify the horn and airbag function.
Spiral cables are generally not suitable for reconditioning because the internal copper contacts wear and corrode over time, and any attempt to clean or repair them risks introducing contaminants or causing inconsistent electrical contact that could prevent airbag deployment. They're sealed units by design, and attempting to open one usually damages the component beyond repair.
A genuine used spiral cable from the same vehicle model is a perfectly acceptable and cost-effective replacement, provided it's been tested for continuity and hasn't been exposed to moisture or accident damage. Always verify the part number matches your vehicle exactly, as different steering wheel designs and airbag generations use different spiral cable specifications—fitting the wrong one creates a safety risk.
This part is also commonly called a clock spring, airbag spiral cable, squib ring, rotary connector, or steering wheel contact reel depending on the manufacturer and region. Some suppliers label it as the 'airbag slip ring' or 'steering column spiral connector', though 'clock spring' is the most widely recognised trade term across the UK and Europe.
Always disconnect the vehicle battery before touching any airbag system component, and wait at least 15 minutes for the airbag capacitors to discharge—touching live airbag circuits risks accidental deployment and serious injury. When fitting a new spiral cable, ensure the steering wheel is in the straight-ahead position and follow the manufacturer's marking or neutral point carefully, as an incorrectly installed spiral cable will cause the horn pad to be off-centre and can damage the internal contacts under rotation.
Lexus IS200 MK1 GXE10R Sport LB20 V REG 153bph Spiral Cable Air Bag Squib Ring 2.0 1988 cc Petrol 1GFE 6 Speed Manual 4 Door Saloon
Part Number(s): 84306-12070 - click a part number above to view and buy this exact part.
THIS IS GENERAL LEVEL INFORMATION FOR THE PART, INFORMATION IMPLEMENTATION MAY VARY FROM CAR MAKE MODEL, REGION
