Horn Problem... XeroInfinity

[ebreiner]

So i have an 02 Grand Am Gt and i just did a DIY on cleaning the contacts in my Multi function switch. The guide I used didnt mention anything about depressing the horn pin while placing the MFS back into place. I bent the gold ring and now the horn doesnt work. I was wondering what needs to be done to make it work. I read around and saw the name Cancel Cam had to be replaced or some custom fabbing to ground it somewhere. What do u recommend?

[ebreiner]

I looked around and found clock spring mentioned in some other posts. If this is the case, is there a guide to getting to it? I got a tail light from an 02 GT in great shape in a junkyard... i might go back soon if you can just point me in the right direction. Thanks.

[3100]

interesting title,

[ebreiner]

What? I made the title because xero was the active member at the time so i was hoping to get his attention. I've been looking around and trying to figure out what needs to be done and i think im headin to a junkyard to pull the clockspring... all i need to find is how to pull the steering wheel and all to get to the piece.

[3100]

I remember your post,

clock spring has nothing to do with this, all you had to do is remove that plastic cover around the steering wheel column disable SIR, disconnect MFS remove its screws and remove MFS. Installation position MFS on the steering column while depressing spring loaded horn pin, connect everything put the screws in and you are done.

[ebreiner]

even if the gold ring is bent some, it would work? i tried it again and it didnt. That gold ring is bent is what i've heard is the problem. On the grand am gt forum alot of ppl that bent the ring when placing the MFS back in have no horn. that is where i am at the moment

[xeroinfinity]

Hey ebreiner, and Welcome to AF !

Sorry I didnt get back sooner!!

If the ring is bent try and straighten it the best you can, if at all possible, and see if that works.
The spring will make up for a small defect but the spring needs to also be straight and not bent over. If its bent it will just fall over when you turn the steering wheel.

Yeah my thread totaly says; "be very careful to DEPRESS the spring loaded horn pin, or your horn will not work when you are finished"

If you need, I might be able to get some instructions on the steering wheel up shortly...

[05GrandAMowner]

How do you remove the airbag to inspect the horn contacts?

I have a 2005 Grans Am, and the horn stuck on, so I pulled the fuse.

The delaler gave me a rough estimate of $1,000.

[xeroinfinity]

Welcome to AF 05GrandAMowner !!

So your horn just keeps tootin. If you havnt had the steering wheel off, or replaced your multi function sw., then I doubt very much it's the horn contacts(clock-spring) in the steering wheel.

Their is a mini relay in the underhood fuse box, # 21, I'd replace that and see how it does.

If you've had any recent front end collisions, then it could be wiring. But I bet its the relay or the horn its self that is bad.

- Though to remove the air bag you'd need to pull the air bag fuse(s) and disconnect the battery. Using a T20 or T25 torx bit remove the screws in the back side of the steering wheel.
And avoid static electricity, or you could blow the bag in your face, and that's dangerous!

[05GrandAMowner]

Swapped the horn relay with a like part #, no change.

What I didn't tell you is my wife has had the car for a few years, I took it over and after using the horn a few times, it started having issues. It would go off by itself and even when sitting in the driveway day or night.

I also hear the relay working when I use the remore alarm button.

There are not screws on the back of the air bag assembly, unless I have to remove the stering column covers first to see them?

next idea....

[xeroinfinity]

Since it's constantly going off it could be the switch in the air bag cover.
You do have to remove the column cover to access the screws holding the air bag on.

Though not much you can do to fix it other then replace the air bag unit. I dont think it all comes apart , nor do I recommend trying to disassemble the air bag unit.

[SierraK1500]

G/F had the same problem with her horn in her '05. The dealer pulled the air bag unit out, and if your find the horn wire, mount a horn button somewhere convenient to your hand to reach. rewire the horn assy, and then reassemble the SIR.

You might want to take some hookup wire and strip the insulation off it , attach a alligator clip to clip to a metal part of the car thats grounded and wrap the other end thats stripped around your wrist to drain any static electricity away from you not to set off the bag. In an electronic store its called a ground strap.

In the car I was speaking of the horn went off and then stopped. The security system in the car thought it was being stolen. We put the key in the door and it stopped. Then the contacts in the steering wheel welded themselves together when the horns shorted out. The horns were replaced.

Are you blowing fuses when the battery is reconnected? Have you checked the horn relay? Do the horns blow when you connect the battery? Have you checked the wiring in the column? Make sure before you drop dough in the car. A horn button and rewiring can be done under $10.00. Good luck to you.

And don't forget to increase the reputation of all who helped you and thank them.

John

[xeroinfinity]

a little late on the reply there SierraK1500.

Something else I had happen last jan-feb, was I drove thru some deep water on the pass side of the car. Later that night @ 3am the horn just starts blowing for no reason. Well had to pull the relay to stop it. Next day after it dried out reinserted relay and it wasnt blowing anymore. Hasnt done it since. Also during the winter moisture gets inside and seems to cause similar problems.

[barinina]

This is way late, but I have had the same problem with my Pontiac as well. I clean the switch and all was fine till I drove it the next day and there was a bad resistance while turning and it began to clock a lot. Further down the road the horn randomly began to blue. Now I'm in the process of changing my intake gaskets so I figured is work on the during and horn problem and found the metal disk is now bent in three places and I'm not sure what to do about it.

[Tech II]

For the life of me, I don't understand cleaning the multifunction switch......you just potentially create more problems......got a problem, replace it.....

And, EXACTLY, what are you cleaning?