Rubbing, Scraping, Clicking Noise from Steering Column When Turning - keywords left right sir coil wire harness shaft wheel

This PI is being updated to add model years. Please discard PIT3933.

The following diagnosis might be helpful if the vehicle exhibits the symptom(s) described in this PI.

Owners may complain that a noise (rubbing, scraping, clicking, etc.) is heard coming from the steering column area while turning the steering wheel. Many SIR coils have been replaced for this concern; however a large majority of noise complaints could not be verified while testing the returned coils. Improper installation of the SIR coil could be the cause of these noises, therefore it is recommended to perform the following checks for proper SIR coil installation prior to replacing a suspect coil.

1. Remove steering column trim (refer to SI Document #1762533).
2. Disable the SIR system and remove the SIR module (air bag) from steering wheel (refer to SI Document #1425970 and #1332742). Check to ensure that the SIR and/or redundant steering wheel control wiring has not been tucked behind the steering wheel (see location below and proper routing of wires is shown). Reinstall the air bag and re-check for noise (at times the process of simply removing the air bag is enough to pull the wires free that have been tucked behind the steering wheel).



3. If the SIR and redundant steering wheel control wiring is routed properly and noise is still present, remove steering wheel (refer to SI Document #822725).
4. Check to ensure that the SIR coil retaining snap ring is properly seated (see location below). If the snap ring is not properly seated, correct concern and re-check for noise.



5. If the retaining ring is properly seated and noise is still present, check to ensure that the SIR coil wiring harness is properly routed along steering column. Any excess force or tension on the outer housing of coil due to improper routing could cause a noise (see wiring location below). If wiring is improperly routed, correct concern and re-check for noise.



6. If the retaining ring and all wiring is installed correctly and noise is still present, perform the SIR coil centering procedure (refer to SI Document #822781). Reinstall coil and re-check for noise (a coil that is off center by as little as 1 or 2 revolutions could be the source of the noise).
7. If noise the has not been eliminated by following the steps above, only then should the SIR coil be replaced.

Please follow this diagnostic or repair process thoroughly and complete each step. If the condition exhibited is resolved without completing every step, the remaining steps do not need to be performed.