Clockspring was replaced (horn wasn't working), now audio cuts out on left turns

Hey everyone,

I did some troubleshooting over the weekend. I had my clockspring replaced on my 4runner because the horn stopped working. All of a sudden the other week I noticed my speakers start to cut out when making left turns. Bumps do not make audio cut and right turns makes the audio easier to ascertain. I thought it was a loose connection in the dash somewhere, but I'm guessing it has something to do with the clockspring???? FYI, it doesn't matter if i'm listening to fm/am, cd, or through the aux; the problem is very repeatable.

Any input? or does my diagnosis seem valid and I need to get my 4runner back into the mechanic?

 

I had a similar situation a month after picking up my 2013. The airbag light stayed on, the code was the clockspring. Upon further investigation the PO had the clockspring replaced a couple of years previously, due to horn not working. I purchased and replaced the clockspring. 3years and no problems.
More than likely you’ll need to return to the mechanic. Did they install a Genuine Toyota part, or after market ? If the dealership install it should be warranted.

 

I take it there are audio controls on the wheel....
If its very repeatable, like you said, I would take it back. Show your mechanic whats going on. If its under their warranty, it should be covered. You may have to pay labor though.

If thats is a big problem, just make 3 right turns.

 

So I took it to the mechanic and they weren't sure what the hell was going on. They don't think it's the clockspring, but there is audio controls on the steering wheel so maybe the clockspring that was installed is faulty.

They have two paths for me to follow - either replace the clockspring they installed or they will pay for a toyota dealership to look at it and only cover the cost if it's a faulty clockspring. I called the toyota dealership and they have never seen this issue before. I also called car toys and they have never heard of anything weird like this as well. I don't want to get strapped with a huge bill from the toyota dealership if that can be avoided.

Here's a video I took 10 minutes ago. - Sorry about the orientation
https://youtu.be/W1O5j5OVLsw

 

We just replaced the clock spring and steering angle sensor in friends Tundra. The cables were long enough so we could hook them up and turn the clock spring by hand to test it out.

Not sure if the 4R ones are long enough but just a thought so you can see if it really is the clock spring.

Steering angle sensor is connected to the clock spring so don't confuse the 2. Should be able to spin where the air bag connectors are to spin the clock spring.