A clock spring is used to regulate the movement and control accuracy. It is precisely crafted to a tight tolerances.
The clock spring doesn't control anything. It is used to connect the switches located in the steering wheel to the wire harness inside the steering column.
clock spring
As far as I know the clock spring allows the wiring to the steering wheel horn and cruise control buttons to feed in and out when the steering wheel is turned
It is probably the clock spring in the steering wheel
could be a bad clock spring which is located behind the steering wheel. if it is a bad clock spring your airbag light should be on and a bad clock spring usually takes out your cruise control if you have it, or a fuse could be bad or the horns could be bad
It will stop working along with cruz control, voice control, and volume when the wires on the clock spring wears. The clock spring holds all the wiring going to the controls on the steering wheel and allows the steering wheel to turn without damaging the wires. The clock spring makes everthing run smoothly in terms of the wheel turning. The clock spring is located under the plastic on the TOP of the steering wheel. You will find all the wires are connected to it. It usually goes out after years of turning and wear and tear.
The clock spring would be inside the plastic steering column cover ( it allows you to turn the steering wheel without " breaking " the wiring connection to your horn and steering wheel mounted cruise control buttons )
05 clock spring
It's basically a coiled ribbon cable that provides power and control to the horn, cruise, radio (if equipped). It coils and uncoils (like a clock spring) as you turn the steering wheel.
A spring-driven clock uses a tightly wound spring to store potential energy. As the spring unwinds, the energy is transferred to gears, which regulate the movement of the clock hands. The escapement mechanism, controlled by the gear train, ensures that the clock hands move in precise increments.
The clock spring allows you to turn the steering wheel without disconnecting the wiring to the cruise control buttons and horn in your steering wheel If your horn and cruise control don't work the clockspring is probably broken ( P.S. I'm not a mechanic / technician but my money would be on that guess )