Crazy Horn Problem - Listen To This Story & Need Advice Please

[CarDude225]

1995 Buick LeSabre

Monday night about 12:15am I am awoken from a dead sleep to the sound of a horn blasting. Thinking the wife had some late night horror movie on out in the family room, I pause for a moment only annoyed. As the blast continues, I realize something is wrong so I look out the bathroom window at the car as it sits in the driveway blasting into the night this once peaceful and quiet residential neighborhood.

I run out of the room and the wife is oblivious to the noise as she was typing away on the computer. We go out side armed with the keys and get into the car as it continues to blast. I slap the steering wheel horn switch area a few times and finally with very specific pressure in a specific place I get the horn to stop. I switch hands with the wife's and the horn blasts a bit during this transition.

Pop the hood and searching for the fuse panel, I can't find it. I ran into the garage for vice grips to pull the battery cable. Phewww. Done. And no neighbors came out to see what the hell was going on and no cops either! But dogs near and far are barking like hell.

Anyway, I ended up finding the fuse panel but there is no designation to what fuse is for the horn! Help please with this.

I pulled the wires from the horn, and hooked up the battery cable. The fuse relay is on as I speak, slowly draining the battery (very slowly).

I need to figure out how to take apart the steering wheel to gain access to the horn switch(es). How hard is it?

[maxwedge]

Go to autozone.com. repair guides for general info to get to the horn contacts, careful with the air bag system.

[tnut55]

Bad horn contact on one of the horn buttons....not repairable but you can unplug the bad button so that it does not go off in the middle of the night (when the metal strips cool and short together). Easy to take assy off but be careful of airbag.

[CarDude225]

I removed the airbag/horn switch assembly and found that one of the switches were already disconnected. I tested that switch and found it be be faulty also. So now both switches remain disconnected and I have no solution to figuring out how to get horn to work without some messy rigging involving glue and unsightly external switches.

Is there a better solution than this? Thank you.

[CarDude225]

I finally solved the problem of not being able to blast the horn with a good work-around.

I purchased a push button switch from Radio Shack #275-644. I removed the airbag/horn switches assembly from the steering wheel. I then carefully drilled through the top rear rubbery/foamy section of the center of the steering wheel. Then I inserted the new switch (fits very snug because I drilled a smaller hole than would have been necessary had this swith been mounted in a hard material such as wood or metal). Then I soldered the horn wires to the switch.

So now to blast the horn, you reach over top of the center of the steering wheel, and push the button down. It looks very professional, and is easy to reach.

Installing the switch in the center caused the aribag plug to have to be unclipped from the mount, and moved down - no big deal.

I did it this way because I did not want to fool with installing switches on the airbag cover, or anywhere else.

If I had to do it over, I might have installed TWO switches both on top:
one left, and one right. Because I am not certain but it seems there would be enough clearance left & right too.

Here's a pic of the finished job:

[kenneeds]

I am having the same problem with my 95 Park Avenue.
Mine is just beginning and will start blowing in the course of normal driving, by just bumping the center pad. And since I do not want to replace the air bag assembly to fix the problem, will probably follow your fix. I may try to locate a larger button, or install 2 as you suggest.

Ken

[creslevi]

Did you take any additional pictures ? of the faulty parts, I have always steered clear of working on the coluum for fear of setting off the airbag, it would help to see some pictures.
Rick

[HotZ28]

Thread reopened.

[no tene dinero]

Can anyone tell me how to gain access to those horn contacts so I can change mine out?
I know about disconnecting the battery cables but gaining access under that pad on the steering wheel. Where do I start
Thanks!

[happydog500]

Originally Posted by no tene dinero

Can anyone tell me how to gain access to those horn contacts so I can change mine out?
I know about disconnecting the battery cables but gaining access under that pad on the steering wheel. Where do I start
Thanks!

On my 97 lesabre you just look on the backside of the steering wheel. There will be holes, just put in a socket to unscrew the bolts. The front middle of the wheel pulls right out.

Chris.

[Mastercarpentry]

94 PA, same problem. I mounted a button on the left side of the dash but I can't hit it when I need a horn fast, so I'm doing one one like this tomorrow. Follow the proper procedure with the airbag and all will be OK. It gets unplugged before you pull the wheel apart so the most likely unwanted activation will be when you plug it back in. I've removed this part three times with no problems, just follow the book to the letter.

Phil

[V Xero]

I have this problem but I'm very reluctant to remove the steering wheel. I was thinking: there are four controls on the steering wheel, 3 for the radio and 1 for the HVAC. I never use the button for the HVAC. Would it be possible to change the wiring from the HVAC control to activate the horn instead?

[Tech II]

I don't usually respond to old threads....

You guys are lucky....can't get away with that in Massachusetts......all parts have to function as OEM, when going for your inspection sticker......

And unfortunately, depending on the year, the switches are not repairable, they are integral to the airbag.....airbags are expensive....

You should not take an air bag off, if you don't know the procedure.....