horn won't work

[gartht799]

I have an 01 Grand Am GT and I noticed that the horn doesn't work anymore. A few months ago it worked off and on, and now nothing. I replaced both the fuse and relay with another fuse and relay from other inputs but nothing. I think the horn unit works okay because it honks when I lock the doors as it is supposed to do. My guess are that the contacts are wore out. It has an airbag so I have no idea how to replace them. Has anyone ever ran into this before? If so, how much work was it or how much did it cost? The killer is that if the horn doesn't work it won't pass state inspection, so I have no choice but to fix it. Thanks for any help.

[tenspeed]

Change the horn relay before you even think of tearing into the steering wheel.

[RedGrandAm2003]

:agree: Buy a new relay to make sure. I have a problem with my horn going off non stop at like 1 in the morning, so i'd run outside.. well... lets just say boxers + weather in canada in January = COLD! I replaced the relay and it works perfectly now.

[Triolent]

I have the exact same problem with the same car. My horn was working on and off, but now it doesn't work at all. However, it does chirp when I hit the remote lock. Hmm...

I've been reading about this situation, and here is what I plan on doing:

1. Buy a new relay from AZ. Doesn't help? Return it. Better to waste 10 mins with no money wasted than tearing into the steering wheel for naught.

2. Tear into steering wheel. I've read that the contacts DO in fact wear out in these models. I am kind of unsure from there, but at least I will know what I am dealing with.

2a. In the worst case scenario, I can always rig up a temp solution. On of the electrical connectors in the steering wheel wil be for the horn. This will need to be disconnected when removing the air bags either way. Maybe I can wire up my own horn switch from there. Just a thought...

BTW, there shouldn't be too much tearing into, but there are some removals and disconnects. :P

[ssvejiita]

i had a similar prob with my horn...i noticed it would only work when i was taking turns..only because i would always see if it was working...there are two parts to the horn as far as the steering wheel is concerned...theres one that like a metal plate that is circular and runs behind the steering wheel and is made to keep contact throught the motion of the wheel...the other is a pinlike probe that is supposed to keep in contact with that metal plate..if i remember correctly it is part of the turn signal switch assembly...and its spring loaded..for some reason the metal plate on my steering wheel was bent a bit..so when the steering wheel was straight there was no contact ..even at the full extent of the metal pin..i bent the plate as much as i could back into shape and i removed the turn signal switch and made sure when i replaced it the pin was at the fullest extent..hope this helps..

[AdmRose]

One should note that the horn spring pin is easily destroyed. If you don't retract it before putting the turn signal assembly back in, you'll most likely destroy it. Trust me. I know.