My horn won't stop sounding!

[supergogomobile]

Hi

I just replaced my steering wheel on my BA. Reconnected all the wiring from the airbag etc. However whenever I try to reconnect the battery my horn won't stop sounding. Any ideas of what I might have done wrong?

thanks

[AWD Chaser]

Originally Posted by supergogomobile

Hi

I just replaced my steering wheel on my BA. Reconnected all the wiring from the airbag etc. However whenever I try to reconnect the battery my horn won't stop sounding. Any ideas of what I might have done wrong?

thanks

Pull the horn fuse at least so you can drive your car.

SOunds like you may have damaged the clock spring (wound coil of wire that connects your horn, airbag, volume and cruise control buttons). Either that, or you have a bad contact where the horn switch.actually is

[fmc351]

I remember a horn pad on an e series, inside the horn pad is two plates of metal that are glued together with a sheet of material similar to the roof lining foam which had perished, and the plates were touching, so it was like your hand was constantly on the horn.

Not sure if BA is similar, never looked.

[phillyc]

http://www.fordforums.com.au/showthr...highlight=horn

The horn and airbag is a complete unit. I replaced it myself, but needed a special tool. It is a security / airbag type allen key with a 5 or 6 point head (the non standard number!) which also has an indent / hole in it. There are 2 screws/bolts on either side of the steering column with covers / caps over them.

I bought a second hand complete unit (airbag / horn / centre) from my local Ford wrecker. Cost $50 18mths ago.

A mechanic will know how to do it, should take 15minutes. 5 minutes is the safety precaution of disconnecting battery. Apply brakes to remove any electrical energy stored.

If you do it yourself, just be careful with the cruise control and airbag/horn wires. Airbags are an explosive device!

Reason for replacement was horn coming on randomly. Did it a couple of times. Cause: Due to my AU being parked on the street the heat build up in the car eventually deteriorates the foam insulation between the contact points of the horn button.
_____

[supergogomobile]

Thanks guys.

Well I pulled the horn/airbag unit off the steering wheel and reinstalled it again and it works fine now.

Seems I just forgot to tuck the 2 wires which come out of the steering column under their appropriate clips which are located on the back of the horn/airbag which might not have left enough of a gap between the back of the horn unit and the steering wheel and caused it to prematurely beep? I don't know, but thanks again!

[Reaper8]

i have a similar problem with me AU but the horn is not constant but more like an alarm on off on off. it wassitting in the sun and went off and havnt been able to fix so pulled the wires off the horns. find out what it is one day and fix it

[phillyc]

Originally Posted by Reaper8

i have a similar problem with me AU but the horn is not constant but more like an alarm on off on off. it wassitting in the sun and went off and havnt been able to fix so pulled the wires off the horns. find out what it is one day and fix it

That was exactly the cause of my problem. That was also my fix until i bought the second hand airbag / horn boss for $50 from a wreckers. Fitted it in under 20 minutes with the right tools. A mechanic can fit it for about $30. See my post further up.

[phillyc]

Originally Posted by supergogomobile

Thanks guys.

Well I pulled the horn/airbag unit off the steering wheel and reinstalled it again and it works fine now.

Seems I just forgot to tuck the 2 wires which come out of the steering column under their appropriate clips which are located on the back of the horn/airbag which might not have left enough of a gap between the back of the horn unit and the steering wheel and caused it to prematurely beep? I don't know, but thanks again!

Happy to help. If it does it again. Go the second hand airbag / born boss.

PS I reckon it is more likely with cars that are exposed to excessive sun. eg non-garaged.