So I just picked up an 89 GTA. Previous owner had removed the original radio and replaced it with an aftermarket. When I bought the car, he took the aftermarket out and gave me the original radio, but its not hooked up. My problem is that the horn doesn’t work, and I need the horn for safety. Since my car has the steering wheel controls, I’m assuming that maybe the horn just got disconnected when working on the radio. Or maybe its just a fuse, or something else??? Anyone else run into a similar situation. Any ideas?

 

Do you know for sure if the reason the horn isn't working is related to the stereo being taken out?

I recently got my horn working again, and it's because I cleaned the contacts of the horn relay. Before that, the horn didn't work most of the time. Might be worth looking into.

 

No I don't know for sure if the 2 are related, that's why I asked if anyone had a similar problem after modifying the stereo.

My horn doesn't work at all, but I guess I'll have to look into the relay then... but then my next stupid is, where's the horn relay???

 

Two things I would do...

Check to see if the horns work by themselves by hooking 12V directly to them. If that causes you deafness, you'll find horn relay on the right hand side of the steering column but first you'll have to remove the panel that covers it. From memory, the housing that the horn relay sits in is either screwed or clipped in place. It sits in a square housing and you'll only see the relay when you unscrew/unclip the housing. There are two square relays, the horn relay is the one on the right. Pull it out of its socket, carefully remove the cover and gently clean the inside of the relay and then reassemble. At least, that's how it is on my 82.

I would show you a picture, but I'm not near a scanner right now sorry.

 

Ok, thanks.... I'll have to try that and see if I have any luck.

 

But to answer the question you asked, I have an 89 GTA w/ aftermarket stereo, and my horn still works. That doesnt mean the person didnt screw something up in the steering column, whether because of this or in spite of this.
But like the others said, test the horn directly, check the contacts there, check the relay, check the switch in the steering wheel. Probably wouldnt hurt to check the fuse also

 

A nice easy fix... I figured before I started anything, start at the source... pulled the center out of the steering wheel, and found the contact for the horn had come lose... put the contact back together... horn works... took a total of about 30 seconds to fix... why I didn't think of that before I have no idea...

 

Don't you just love it when it's a nice and easy, cheap fiix!

 

For sure! Now I'll have more time and $$$ to spend on the other stuff the car needs!