Horn has a mind of its own

[aussiebushman]

This is irritating to say the least.

The horn activates intermittently without touching the horn ring on the steering wheel. Seems to happen mostly when the steering wheel is being turned - but at other times too.

Other than ripping out the connections and silencing the bloody thing permanently. any other known fixes please?

[Alex86]

My guess is the clock spring.

[erad]

The horn circuit takes power via a fuse, then through the horn relay, through the clock spring and then the horn button and then earth. Any short circuit to earth after the horn relay will activate the horn, because the horn relay will sense current flow to earth - it doesn't matter where it earth, as long as it earths. The most likely place is the clock spring, but there could be a short anywhere between the horn relay and the clock spring as well. Good luck finding the fault - intermittent faults are hard to track down.

[stumagoo]

the horn pad has failed its a thing that happens, have heard of it quite a few times on gen 2's

[erad]

the horn pad has failed its a thing that happens, have heard of it quite a few times on gen 2's

Quite possible. I guess that the springs in the pad may have failed and thus occasionally the button can complete the circuit to earth. I don't know, but is it possible to dismantle the horn pad and reset the springs? You would have to be careful because there is possibly an airbag behind the button as well.

[stumagoo]

Quite possible. I guess that the springs in the pad may have failed and thus occasionally the button can complete the circuit to earth. I don't know, but is it possible to dismantle the horn pad and reset the springs? You would have to be careful because there is possibly an airbag behind the button as well.

I believe there are no springs -- which is why they fail - if I am correct it relies on the plastic rebound properties of the horn coverings

[Jasonmc73]

See link, not only the horn windows as well!

https://9now.nine.com.au/a-current-affair/canberra-radio-presenter-uses-tesla-controls-to-catch-wouldbe-car-thieves-red-handed/ba42044d-9c41-4f8e-8be8-08ad5f84a518

[nj swb]

I had a similar problem on an old Chrysler Galant, back in the late 80s. Random activation of the horn, sometimes I'd have to pull the fuse to stop it.

I finally called an auto-electrician to have a look, and showed him the wiring diagram in the service manual. He popped the bonnet, had a quick look at the horn, and asked "where's the other horn?".



The wiring diagram showed two horns, and one was easy to see. The other was tucked under the battery tray, out of sight. On the second horn, one terminal had fallen off - the terminal that the horn pad earthed to make the horn work. But it was still connected to the wire, and was swinging around under the battery tray. Occasionally it would land on earthed metal, earth the circuit and make the other horn sound.

I don't have my NJ service manual handy - what is the circuit downstream of the horn relay? Does the horn relay switch the positive or the negative?

Have you tried replacing the relay? I've disconnected my spotlights because they would randomly turn on all by themselves. I have them wired with two relays, and can only guess that one of them is intermittently switching itself on - but whenever the spotlights were on, lifting the bonnet to troubleshoot would cause them to turn off. So I've taken the easy way out.

[aussiebushman]

- - - Good luck finding the fault - intermittent faults are hard to track down.

Ain't that the truth!

Since this is just my farm hack, I suspect the removal of the fuse and/or the connectors to the horn might end up being my solution. However, with thanks to all of you, I'll try to find the fault location first.

[gemster]

Lol, pull the wires off the actual horn, tape them up... At least that will stop it from activating... Then you can look for the issue...

Another idea is get a sticker that says, " Horn Broken Watch for Finger"...

Gemster....

[aussiebushman]

Lol, pull the wires off the actual horn, tape them up... At least that will stop it from activating... Then you can look for the issue...

Another idea is get a sticker that says, " Horn Broken Watch for Finger"...

Gemster....

Love it! Only problem is that here, only the possums, roos etc will see i - probably the only reason to miss living in so-called "society"

[gemster]

I posted before I read that its a farm hack.... Just disconnect it and use on the farm...

But if you do need one of those Stickers, There's plenty on ebay....

Gemster....