Electrical: Horn not working?...

[JJKM]

Hi all,

My horn has recently stopped working without warning... Not sure why though, have checked earth and connections are clean and fuse is good (everything else is working anyway). Has anyone got any suggestions before I start taking too much to pieces...

[Stephen Edwin]

Is there a relay in the circuit?

Have you tried a direct wire from the battery?

[geoffo]

Remove the steering column top cover by undoing the two screws (its the square-ish cover that fits above the indicator/wiper stalks) and check that the black wire is attached to the spade connector (I bet it has snapped) that comes through the steering wheel bracket. If this is where the problem is let me know and I'll post pics of my fix.

.....two weeks is how long it took me to figure out where the fault was........

[JJKM]

Originally Posted by geoffo

Remove the steering column top cover by undoing the two screws (its the square-ish cover that fits above the indicator/wiper stalks) and check that the black wire is attached to the spade connector (I bet it has snapped) that comes through the steering wheel bracket. If this is where the problem is let me know and I'll post pics of my fix.

.....two weeks is how long it took me to figure out where the fault was........

Thanks very much for the help, will try later today and let you know!

[JJKM]

Thank you very much for the help. Wasn't a broken wire after all, and still don't know. I cleaned the contacts you mentioned and it has since worked so hopefully, was just light corrosion! Thanks once again!

[Clifford Pope]

The horns take a high current with no relay, so are very dependent on excellent connections.
The terminals at the horns themselves are susceptible to corrosion because of their exposed position, and the connection and rubbing carbon contact inside the steering wheel hub is another weak point.

One overlooked point is the steering column universal joints. These have to take the earth return. There is supposed to be a coiled link-wire between each pair of clamp bolts. Often omitted, this can make a big difference to horn performance if all else fails.

[Luky]

Originally Posted by JJKM

Thank you very much for the help. Wasn't a broken wire after all, and still don't know. I cleaned the contacts you mentioned and it has since worked so hopefully, was just light corrosion! Thanks once again!

How did u fix your horn? my volvo s40 horn and buttons on the steering wheel stopped working yesterday ;(
What did you do to fix it??

[MrBric]

Originally Posted by geoffo

Remove the steering column top cover by undoing the two screws (its the square-ish cover that fits above the indicator/wiper stalks) and check that the black wire is attached to the spade connector (I bet it has snapped) that comes through the steering wheel bracket. If this is where the problem is let me know and I'll post pics of my fix.

.....two weeks is how long it took me to figure out where the fault was........

how did you fix the carbon brush thing?

[truckertomnz]

Originally Posted by geoffo

Remove the steering column top cover by undoing the two screws (its the square-ish cover that fits above the indicator/wiper stalks) and check that the black wire is attached to the spade connector (I bet it has snapped) that comes through the steering wheel bracket. If this is where the problem is let me know and I'll post pics of my fix.

.....two weeks is how long it took me to figure out where the fault was........

I know this thread is old but so is my truck
I have the broken black wire but I can't see any spade, can't see where it possibly goes, please help

[Clifford Pope]

Doesn't it earth the switch pad to the top of the column? Then when you press the pad it completes the circuit through the spring-loaded pencil contact to the wire from the horns?

It's easy to break or pull the wire off when you prise off the pad - it's quite short, and the pad just dangles on the wire.