WEIRD Horn issue.

[dakotasport99]

Hello everyone.

My issue is with my 2001 Caravan's horn. Unless the wheel is turned somewhere other that straight ahead, or you put pressure either up down on the steering wheel itself, the horn doesn't blow, or blows intermittently. I just finished replacing the clockspring tonight which was painless but the problem still persists. I am thinking a bad or poor ground somewhere, but where to look???

[dakotasport99]

bump
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[RickMN]

The clockspring provides voltage to the horn switch. When you press the horn switch, it completes the circuit to ground. A Horn Switch Control Sensor detects the voltage drop and powers the horn relay. So it looks like you're on the right track trying to chase down an intermittent ground. The horn power wire into the clockspring is dark green/violet. Just be careful if you're working on a live system..you can light off the air bag. That would definitely ruin your day.

[dakotasport99]

Thanks for the reply RickMN. Now, the horn works if I run a straight ground from the the hornpad backing plate (or even from the mounting bolt for that matter) to a good chasis ground. Could I use the 2 spare pins on the clockspring that are for radio controls which I do not have, as a ground and continue it through the other end of the clockspring? Does the horn get it's chasis ground through the steering shaft itself?? I'm all out of ideas, and strength!

Thanks again!

[RickMN]

My wiring diagram doesn't show exactly where the ground is for the horn switch. Have you tried adding a ground to the metal portion of the steering column? I would do that before I used the spare wires in the clockspring.

[dakotasport99]

There is no continuity between the steering wheel assembly and say the tilt lock mechanism. If I add a ground from the hornpad back plate to the steering wheel, no joy. If I run it straight to chasis, HONK!! I've even cleaned, added dilectric grease to the point where I believe ground is made from backplate to steering wheel, nada.