airbag and horn problems

[Jdueno]

Hi everyone. I'm a new owner of a 98 Dodge Neon and have a small problem. Well maybe not so small. Upon trying to get a saftey check to transfer the title here in Hawaii, I discovered the horn did not work. I've replaced the fuse even though the one in there looked good and then replaced the relay when that did not fix the problem. I used jumper wires from the battery straight to the horn and well the horn works so the only thing left is the pad/switch thing in the steering wheel right? When I went to the dealership to inquire about the part they told me that it was one piece with the airbag and that it was $1,000+. At this point I thought that maybe my hit and miss method of trying to isolate and fix the problem wasn't working. It was also at this time that my supreme powers of observation and attention to detail kicked in and I noticed the airbag light was on. Is the horn, in fact, part of the airbag system? or can I fix just the horn and leave the airbag system alone for now? Is there a way to figure out why the airbag light is on? Like where the fault is coming from. I'm not sure about the history of the car but I paid $2500 and it has 47k on it. Is it worth it to try and fix it or should I cut my losses? And finally, is this something I can do myself or should I take it to a shop. If I should take it in, can I just take it to a reputable shop or is this a problem better looked into at a dealership?

[das2123]

Here is what the FSM says about the horn switch:

The horn switch is mounted between the outer and inner cover of the Driver Airbag Module (Fig. 2). When the Driver Airbag is pressed the horn switch
makes contact to ground. The ground signal is carried to the horn relay and the horn sounds.

(1) The horn switch grounds to the airbag housing.
(2) If horn does not sound check for corrosion:
* Horn wire
* Horn switch ground connected to airbag metal housing
* Airbag to steering wheel
* Ensure horn wire is properly connected and insulator is in place on wire

[Jdueno]

Thanks for the advice. If I end up keeping the car I should probbly invest in a FSM. I will double check the wiring, but I am starting to think the switch between the outer cover and the airbag is just not there. I pulled the two side pannels off that are held on by two screws each. and took a peek between the outer cover and the airbag and it definately looks like something is missing. Although I'm not sure what it is suppose to look like so I'm not to sure.

If it is in fact missing, can the switch be ordered seperate from the airbag? or do they come as one big exspensive part?

[FemaleRacer]

Originally Posted by das2123

Here is what the FSM says about the horn switch:

The horn switch is mounted between the outer and inner cover of the Driver Airbag Module (Fig. 2). When the Driver Airbag is pressed the horn switch
makes contact to ground. The ground signal is carried to the horn relay and the horn sounds.

(1) The horn switch grounds to the airbag housing.
(2) If horn does not sound check for corrosion:
* Horn wire
* Horn switch ground connected to airbag metal housing
* Airbag to steering wheel
* Ensure horn wire is properly connected and insulator is in place on wire

What kind of manuel is "FSM". I use a chiltons and havesn't heard of another. And where is the best place to get onee. thanks.

[Jdueno]

FSM is factory service manuel. Its what the maufactuer uses for maintenance. You have to go to the dealership parts dept. for it. I think it usually cost $80-$100. In my experience they are much more in depth compared to the haynes or chiltons.

[das2123]

Originally Posted by FemaleRacer

What kind of manual is "FSM".

THE BEST!

Originally Posted by FemaleRacer

And where is the best place to get one. thanks.

Dealer or eBay.

[FemaleRacer]

Thanks guys!!!

[skatendestroy]

have yuou looked into price checks at junkyards and such? well actually i dont know how many junk yards there are in hawaii.

[swede1]

[quote=das2123]Here is what the FSM says about the horn switch:

The horn switch is mounted between the outer and inner cover of the Driver Airbag Module (Fig. 2). When the Driver Airbag is pressed the horn switch
makes contact to ground. The ground signal is carried to the horn relay and the horn sounds.

(1) The horn switch grounds to the airbag housing.
(2) If horn does not sound check for corrosion:
* Horn wire
* Horn switch ground connected to airbag metal housing
* Airbag to steering wheel
* Ensure horn wire is properly connected and insulator is in place on wire[/quote
If none of the above solves the problem, check the clock spring also.
Swede1

[das2123]

Originally Posted by swede1

If none of the above solves the problem, check the clock spring also.Swede1

That usually only goes bad if the steering wheel has been pulled and the clockspring is turned freely.

[swede1]

Originally Posted by das2123

That usually only goes bad if the steering wheel has been pulled and the clockspring is turned freely.

Hey,
Hm, not really. The clockspring is just a metal lined plastic tape that is constantly wound and un-wound as you are turning the steering wheel. This caused lots of issues, broken tapes, loose connections, etc. If you dig into Dodge repair history you will find that it was not just common as a warranty repair on many models but also several TSB's(Technical Service Buletins), replacing the clock spring assy. It is not a big deal to check the continuity from the horn pad to the horn and if there is an open somewhere, it is easily located and fixed.

Good luck, Swede1

[das2123]

^^^Not on the neon though!

[dugan50]

The simple problem with your vehicle (both horn and airbag) is a failed clockspring. This is a component that mounts under the steering wheel and connects both systems (independently). It is a ribbon wire and when it breaks, both systems fail. The part costs about $90 and the labot time calls for under an hour to replace it.

[das2123]

Wow....this is an old thread!!!!

[Jdueno]

Originally Posted by das2123

Wow....this is an old thread!!!!

You think, I had forgotten I had even owned a neon.