HORN

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HORN
CONTENTS
page page

DIAGNOSIS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 GENERAL INFORMATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

SERVICE PROCEDURES

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GENERAL INFORMATION
Following are general descriptions of the major components in the Dakota horn system. Refer to Group 8W - Wiring Diagrams for complete circuit descriptions and diagrams. column. One side of the horn relay electromagnetic coil receives battery voltage at all times. When a horn switch is depressed, the other side of the relay coil is grounded. The energized relay coil causes the normally open relay contacts to close, providing battery voltage to the horn. If a problem is encountered with a continuously sounding horn, it can usually be quickly resolved by removing the horn relay from the fuseblock module until further diagnosis is completed.

HORN SWITCH
Two horn switches are installed in the steering wheel, one on each side of the center-mounted drivers airbag module. When either switch is depressed it completes a circuit to ground for the coil side of the horn relay. The steering wheel and steering column must be properly grounded for the horn switches to function. The horn switches are only serviced as a set with their wiring. If either switch should fail, both switches must be replaced.

HORN
The single, lo-note, diaphragm-type horn is located in the engine compartment on the upper left corner of the radiator closure panel just forward of the battery. It is grounded to the closure panel and receives battery feed through the closed contacts of the horn relay.

HORN RELAY
The horn relay is installed in the fuseblock module under the instrument panel and left of the steering

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HORN DIAGNOSIS

WARNING: ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AN AIRBAG, REFER TO GROUP 8M - RESTRAINT SYSTEMS BEFORE ATTEMPTING STEERING WHEEL COMPONENT DIAGNOSIS OR SERVICE. FAILURE TO TAKE PROPER PRECAUTIONS COULD RESULT IN ACCIDENTAL AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT AND POSSIBLE PERSONAL INJURY.

HORN RELAY
RELAY TESTS (1) Remove horn relay from fuseblock module. The de-energized relay should have continuity between terminals 1 and 3 (Fig. 1). There should be no continuity between terminals 2 and 3. If OK, go to next step. If not OK, replace faulty relay. (2) Connect relay terminal 1 to a good ground and terminal 3 to a battery feed. There should now be battery voltage at terminal 2. If OK, go to Circuit Test. If not OK, replace faulty relay.

Still probing horn relay cavity 1, depress either horn switch, there should now be continuity to ground. If OK, go to next step. If not OK, see diagnosis for horn switch. (4) Unplug connector at horn. Check for continuity between horn relay cavity 2 and a good ground. There should be no continuity. If OK, go to next step. If not OK, repair short circuit as required. (5) Check for continuity between horn relay cavity 2 and horn connector. There should be continuity. If OK, see diagnosis for horn. If not OK, repair open circuit as required.

HORN SWITCH
(1) Disconnect battery negative cable. Remove knee blocker. Check for continuity between metal steering column jacket and a good ground. There should be continuity. If OK, go to next step. If not OK, refer to Group 19 - Steering and check for proper installation of steering column ground clip. (2) Remove horn relay from fuseblock module. Access horn switch wire connector as described in Horn Switch Remove/Install. Unplug horn wire connector. Check for continuity between steering column half of horn wire connector and a good ground. There should be no continuity. If OK, go to next step. If not OK, repair short circuit as required. (3) Check for continuity between steering column half of horn wire connector and horn relay cavity 1. There should be continuity. If OK, go to next step. If not OK, repair open circuit as required. (4) Check for continuity between horn switch half of horn wire connector and a good ground. There should be no continuity. If OK, go to next step. If not OK, replace faulty horn switches. (5) Depress one horn switch and check for continuity between horn switch half of horn wire connector and a good ground. There should be continuity. Repeat test for other horn switch. If either switch is not OK, replace faulty horn switches.

Fig. 1 Horn Relay Connections

RELAY CIRCUIT TESTS (1) Remove relay from fuseblock module. Check for battery voltage at horn relay cavity 3 in fuseblock module (Fig. 1). If OK, go to step 3. If not OK, go to next step. (2) Check fuse 6 in fuseblock module. If OK, repair open circuit to horn relay cavity 3. If not OK, replace fuse. (3) Check for continuity between horn relay cavity 1 and a good ground. There should be no continuity.

HORN
(1) Measure resistance between the horn mounting bracket and a good ground. There should be zero ohms. If not OK, repair horn ground. (2) Disconnect horn connector. Depress horn switch. There should be battery voltage at the horn connector. If OK, replace horn. If not OK, repair open circuit to horn relay.

HORN SERVICE PROCEDURES HORN SWITCH REMOVE/INSTALL

WARNING: BEFORE BEGINNING ANY AIRBAG SYSTEM COMPONENT REMOVAL OR INSTALLATION, REMOVE AND ISOLATE THE NEGATIVE (-) CABLE FROM THE BATTERY. THIS IS THE ONLY SURE WAY TO DISABLE THE AIRBAG SYSTEM. FAILURE TO DO THIS COULD RESULT IN ACCIDENTAL AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT AND POSSIBLE INJURY. WAIT 2 MINUTES FOR THE RESERVE CAPACITOR TO DISCHARGE BEFORE REMOVING OR WORKING ON ANY AIRBAG SYSTEM COMPONENTS. (1) Disconnect negative cable from battery. (2) From underside of steering wheel, remove speed control switch or trim bar mounting screws (Fig. 2).

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Fig. 4 Right Rear Steering Wheel Cover Remove/ Install

Fig. 2 Speed Control Switch/Trim Bar Remove/Install

(3) Pull switch/trim bar from wheel and unplug connector (Fig. 3).

Fig. 5 Airbag Module Remove/Install

(6) Remove airbag module from steering wheel. (7) Using a small screwdriver pry horn button from steering wheel (Fig. 6). There are 2 locking tabs holding each horn button to steering wheel (Fig. 7). (8) Unplug electrical connectors and remove horn buttons from steering wheel (Fig. 8).

Fig. 3 Speed Control Switch Connector Remove/Install

(4) Using a small screwdriver remove right rear steering wheel cover (Fig. 4). (5) Remove 4 nuts attaching airbag module (Fig. 5).

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HORN

Fig. 8 Horn Button Connectors

WARNING: WEAR A SUITABLE PAIR OF RUBBER GLOVES (NOT THE HOUSEHOLD TYPE) WHEN REMOVING A BATTERY BY HAND. SAFETY GLASSES SHOULD ALSO BE WORN. IF THE BATTERY IS CRACKED OR LEAKING THE ELECTROLYTE CAN BURN THE SKIN AND EYES. (4) Remove battery holddown (Fig. 9) and remove battery from vehicle.

Fig. 6 Horn Button Remove

Fig. 7 Horn Button Locking Tabs

(9) Reverse removal procedures to install. Tighten airbag module mounting nuts to 1.5 Nm (15 in. lbs.) torque.

HORN REMOVE/INSTALL
(1) Raise and support the hood. (2) Make sure ignition switch is in OFF position and all battery feed accessories are OFF. (3) Disconnect and remove battery cables at battery, negative cable first.

Fig. 9 Battery Holddown Remove/Install

HORN
CAUTION: The horn connector is a self locking connector. To remove it, grasp and pull the insulator only. DO NOT pull on the wire. (5) Remove the wire connector from the horn (Fig. 10).

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(6) From the front of the vehicle remove the horn mounting bolt while removing the horn (Fig. 11).

Fig. 10 Horn Remove/Install Fig. 11 Horn Bracket Mounting Bolt Remove/Install

(7) Reverse removal procedures to install. Tighten the horn mounting bolt to 22.6 Nm (200 in. lbs.), and the battery holddown bolts to 2.2 Nm (20 in. lbs.) torque.