Horn nor working

BBSilverado · April 2, 2005

Ok, here is the problem.

I tried to use the horn the other day and it didn't work so when I got home I checked the fuse and it was good so I took the relay out and put the AC relay in its place (don't need the AC right now)

When I did that I then tried the horn (while sitting in the driveway) and it worked, so I thought the relay was just bad. A couple days later I went to use the horn again and it didn't work again.

Since then I have been playing with the horn and have found out that the horn will not work when the truck is running or if the key is in the run position. If I shut the ignition off the horn will work, but if the ignition is "on" then the horn will not work.

Any clues for a simple fix or should I just let the dealership figure it out?

BBSilverado · April 2, 2005

Could a Mod change "nor" to "not"

I made a typo

Thanks

GM-Tech · April 2, 2005

When it is NOT working, try the panic button on your remote. Does it work from there when the horn button on the wheel doesn't?

If so, engineering says to... "Add (one) grounding strap from the column mount ( use only one of the two upper mounting holes ) to one of the two lower mounting holes in the steering column support assembly."

BBSilverado · April 2, 2005

When it is NOT working, try the panic button on your remote. Does it work from there when the horn button on the wheel doesn't?

If so, engineering says to... "Add (one) grounding strap from the column mount ( use only one of the two upper mounting holes ) to one of the two lower mounting holes in the steering column support assembly."

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thanks for the tip, here is what I found out now.

The horn does work with the panic button.

I added a grounding wire as you mentioned and the horn does work sometimes now. If I turn the wheel it will work in some spots and not others.

I also tried it with the ignition off and it does the same thing (the wheel must have been in a good spot when I tried it before)

I don't know if this matters but my truck has the steering wheel controls and they all work fine.

71GMC_3/4T · April 3, 2005

Sounds like it was a bad ground for at least some of the problems.

The horn problem is probably a bad slip ring for the switch.

Take it to the dealer. It's a safety issue!

GET OUTTA MY WAY!! BEEEEE... Hey, what happened to my horn?!?

GM-Tech · April 3, 2005

I added a grounding wire as you mentioned and the horn does work sometimes now. If I turn the wheel it will work in some spots and not others.

Sounds like the horn contact on the cancelling cam, but turning the wheel may also affect the grounding in the wheel and that could fool you. Where exactly did you place that ground strap? The description on where to put it from and to is confusing. I had to read it a couple times and look at the column to figure out what the heck they were talking about.

BBSilverado · April 3, 2005

I added a grounding wire as you mentioned and the horn does work sometimes now. If I turn the wheel it will work in some spots and not others.

Sounds like the horn contact on the cancelling cam, but turning the wheel may also affect the grounding in the wheel and that could fool you. Where exactly did you place that ground strap? The description on where to put it from and to is confusing. I had to read it a couple times and look at the column to figure out what the heck they were talking about.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

This is where I added the grounding wire (the red line)

GM-Tech · April 3, 2005

Gee, I wish GM would be so descriptive. Yeah, that looks like it should do it.

joemama422 · November 11, 2008

sorry to revive an old thread... but I have the same problem w/ my '99 denali... can anyone post some pics or info on the Horn fix here?

I tried a fiddling w/ the horn relay, and it worked for a few minutes... then it stopped again. I got a new relay, and it's still dead. Where should this grounding strap go? I need the horn to honk at the idiots in front of me these days...