Trans Am Horn doesn't work
Trans Am Horn doesn't work Hey guys,
My horn doesn't work and I've had this problem before but just had it fixed under the warranty and now it's out of warranty. Appartently the way it was fixed before was to make an adjustment to the electrical connections in the horn on the steering wheel.
How do I check the connections in the horn? Do I have to just pull on the center section of the horn to get to the connections?
My horn doesn't work and I've had this problem before but just had it fixed under the warranty and now it's out of warranty. Appartently the way it was fixed before was to make an adjustment to the electrical connections in the horn on the steering wheel.
How do I check the connections in the horn? Do I have to just pull on the center section of the horn to get to the connections?
TECH Apprentice
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 343
Likes: 0
From: Annapolis, MD
How long ago did you have this problem fixed? If it's been under a year you can take it back to the dealership and even though your 3/36 warranty is up, the previous warranty repair my still be covered.
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (27)
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 741
Likes: 0
From: Anheuser Busch, Houston Texas
hey check your relay first, then check the horns themselves. they each have an adjustment screw that changes the impedence of each horn, problem is they are wired up in series, so changing the screw on one changes the setting on the other. I hate the horns on these cars, so I spliced in a pair of horns from an 86 dodge ramcharger..much louder.
To get the steering wheel off you have to disable the airbag system first. didnt have to do that so i am not familiar with how you do that other than the fuse in the dash. hopefully someone else will post that up. It is unlikely that it is in the wheel (unless it was last time) as the horn setup in the wheel is a pair of contacts with metal tabs that close the circuit when you hit that corner part of the airbag. Not likely to fail, but check it as a last resort. Sorry I cannot help with the airbag, but fortunately for me I didn't have to escalate to that yet.
good luck...i hate those horns.
To get the steering wheel off you have to disable the airbag system first. didnt have to do that so i am not familiar with how you do that other than the fuse in the dash. hopefully someone else will post that up. It is unlikely that it is in the wheel (unless it was last time) as the horn setup in the wheel is a pair of contacts with metal tabs that close the circuit when you hit that corner part of the airbag. Not likely to fail, but check it as a last resort. Sorry I cannot help with the airbag, but fortunately for me I didn't have to escalate to that yet.
good luck...i hate those horns.
I'm willing to bet the contacts in the horn are just off. That's what the problem was last time. Couldn't I just disconnect the battery and not have to worry about the air bag?
Staging Lane
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
From: Long Island, New York
Yes, I have. I put in an aftermarket steeringwheel about a year ago. You MUST disable the Airbag system first. I don't remember exactly what I did to disable the system, so I am going to refer to my manuals and I'll post. From what I remember, it wasn't that difficult. Just keep your face away from the bag just in case! 
stan.
stan.
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Staging Lane
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
From: Long Island, New York
After you disable the Air Bag system, you'll need a torx bit to unscrew the center section from the wheel. You will unscrew it from behind the wheel- not much room to work but you'll get it. The torx bit is either a 25 or 27- don't remember exactly.
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Verdad Gallardo Staging Lane
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
From: Long Island, New York
The inflatable restrain sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) maintains a reserve energy supply. The reserve energy supply provides deployment power for the air bags. Deployment is available for as much as 10 seconds after disconnecting the vehicle pwr by any of the following methods:
- turn off the ignition
- remove the fuse that provides pwr to the SDM
- disconnect the vehicle battery from the vehicle electrical system.
PLEASE DISABLE THE SYSTEM B4 REMOVING THE CTR SECTION!
This is from volume 3 of the 2000 Chevy Camaro / Pontiac Firebird service manual from GM.
More to follow...
- turn off the ignition
- remove the fuse that provides pwr to the SDM
- disconnect the vehicle battery from the vehicle electrical system.
PLEASE DISABLE THE SYSTEM B4 REMOVING THE CTR SECTION!
This is from volume 3 of the 2000 Chevy Camaro / Pontiac Firebird service manual from GM.
More to follow...
Staging Lane
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
From: Long Island, New York
Disabling the SIR System: 1. Turn the steering wheel so that the vehicle's wheels are pointing straight ahead.
2. Turn the ignition switch to the OFF position.
3. Remove the key from the ignition switch.
4. Remove the IP (instrument panel) fuse block access door.
5. Remove the AIR BAG fuse from the IP fuse block.
6. Remove the left instrument panel insulator--(1.remove the 2 push-in retainers. 2.unhook the tab on the instrument panel insulator fromt he retaining feature on the dash mat. 3.lift the flange on the IP insulator out of the kick panel.
7. Remove the CPA (connector position assurance) from the driver yellow 2-way connector (C-218) located at the base of the steering column.
8. Disconnect the drive yellow 2-way connector located at the base of the steering column.
That concludes the driver's side. If I were you, i'd disable the passenger side also- just to be safe. My next post will be for the passenger side.
2. Turn the ignition switch to the OFF position.
3. Remove the key from the ignition switch.
4. Remove the IP (instrument panel) fuse block access door.
5. Remove the AIR BAG fuse from the IP fuse block.
6. Remove the left instrument panel insulator--(1.remove the 2 push-in retainers. 2.unhook the tab on the instrument panel insulator fromt he retaining feature on the dash mat. 3.lift the flange on the IP insulator out of the kick panel.
7. Remove the CPA (connector position assurance) from the driver yellow 2-way connector (C-218) located at the base of the steering column.
8. Disconnect the drive yellow 2-way connector located at the base of the steering column.
That concludes the driver's side. If I were you, i'd disable the passenger side also- just to be safe. My next post will be for the passenger side.
Staging Lane
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
From: Long Island, New York
Disabling the SIR System-- Passenger side. I'll pick up where I left off:
9. Remove the right IP insulator panel (passenger).
10. Remove the CPA (connector position assurance) from the passenger yellow 2-way connector (C219) located behind the IP compartment door.
11. Disconnect the passenger yellow 2-way connector located behind the IP compartment door.
VERY IMPORTANT when enabling the system after you fix the horn:
- Reconnect the yellow 2-way connectors starting with the driver's side.
- don't forget to reclip the CPA's
-Reinstall the insulator panels.
-after all that, reinstall the AIR BAG fuse in the IP fuse block and the door.
-STAYING WELL AWAY FROM BOTH AIR BAGS, turn the ignition switch to the "RUN" position.
*The AIR BAG warning lamp will flash seven (7) times.
*The AIR BAG warning lamp will then turn OFF.
IF the AIR BAG warning lamp does not operate as described perform the SIR DIagnostic System Check. In other words, bring to the dealer!!
Good luck and be careful
-stan.
9. Remove the right IP insulator panel (passenger).
10. Remove the CPA (connector position assurance) from the passenger yellow 2-way connector (C219) located behind the IP compartment door.
11. Disconnect the passenger yellow 2-way connector located behind the IP compartment door.
VERY IMPORTANT when enabling the system after you fix the horn:
- Reconnect the yellow 2-way connectors starting with the driver's side.
- don't forget to reclip the CPA's
-Reinstall the insulator panels.
-after all that, reinstall the AIR BAG fuse in the IP fuse block and the door.
-STAYING WELL AWAY FROM BOTH AIR BAGS, turn the ignition switch to the "RUN" position.
*The AIR BAG warning lamp will flash seven (7) times.
*The AIR BAG warning lamp will then turn OFF.
IF the AIR BAG warning lamp does not operate as described perform the SIR DIagnostic System Check. In other words, bring to the dealer!!
Good luck and be careful
-stan.
