Mattkovitch

I bought the car as is, and its in really great shape with no rust (which is surprising for being a pennslyvania car) but it does have a few issues. One that im mainly concerned about(mostly because I know nothing about it and have no idea on how to go about fixing it) is the horn. I cant pass inspection without it. Under the hood there is an aftermarket horn inside, no idea if they had it working at one time or if never worked at all. so my question is, whats the easiest fix for this? is this common in these cars? And also who could a mechanic fix this? a body shop? a Technician? Could i do it myself? whats it gonna cost me?

anyone got one rigged up to a button the dash rather than the steering wheel? wouldnt mind that if it was easier, and doesnt look like hell.

Thanks anything will help!

mjdavis68

iTrader: (1)

Look at it like this. 1 you won't flipped off, and 2 you won't get shot at

paulo57509

Does the car still have the stock steering wheel and horn button?

Is the wiring in your car hacked at all? This will usually complicate trouble shooting.

Mattkovitch

Nothing is hacked, and I have the original steering wheel and horn button.

Mattkovitch

Haha true but you missed number 3. I don't pass inspection lol. Its the only reason I'm bothering with it.

Ron U.S.M.C.

You "always" check the fuse first.
You need a horn, period. Nothing like watching some one slowly backing into you, with out a horn , etc.


Please fill in the rest of your signature including the year of the car. Thank You.

Mattkovitch

It's a 1991 base model firebird it has the 305 tbi. How would I go about testing the fuse?

RedLeader289

iTrader: (2)

Fuses are cheap, don't worry about testing it, just spend a buck and replace it if you think that's it.






Check under the dash near the steering, there's a fusible link/connection/thing there that is wired into the horn (forgive me for not knowing the correct term). You can't miss it though, follow the horn wire from the steering wheel (google to figure out the factory color) and you'll come to the junction. give it a pinch/wiggle/etc and try the horn. Should work. If it doesn't then I'd check the fuse.


Mine has this issue from time to time (stock horn, wiring, etc). I imagine whoever the PO was tried to fix it by replacing the horn itself when it in actuality was just the connection.

henryd3

iTrader: (128)

Hi,
My horn didn't work either when I got my car. The accessory fuse also covered the dome light, power mirrors or locks.
Luck, Henry, third brake light, etc. which also were not working. I kept blowing every fuse I put in until I learned on here that the culprit is often a short in the lighter socket that keeps any of the other things from working.
Any of these things also not working?
If a replaced fuse pops instantly try disconnecting the lighter socket from the harness in the dash and put in a fresh fuse.
That fixed mine, perhaps it will work for you too

yankeecarman

iTrader: (9)

I think it could actually be the horn switch. They tend to crack from what I understand. Are both of them bad? They are also hard to come by if that is the problem.

paulo57509

It's best not to guess at what the problem might be and do some basic troubleshooting. The horn circuit is pretty simple.

See the attached pages from the Camaro factory service manual. Firebirds should be wired the same.

Mattkovitch

Thanks for the help guys! I'll try to whatve you said about it this weekend when I have some time off work.

OrangeBird

iTrader: (1)

Something also to consider ;

You mentioned in an earlier post putting a push button somewhere on the dash . I don't know what State you live in , but here in good ol Taxachusetts in order to pass your safety inspection to get your required inspection sticker , all safety devices must function as they did when it left the factory and things like the horn button on the dash are not allowed .

In other words , troubleshoot it correctly as Paulo said , and repair the failed component . The entire system consists of two horns , one relay , one switch (with a spring loaded contact called a slip ring in Paulo's schematic to accomodate turning the wheel) , one fuse , and some wire .

sharlimar

Its been a while since I worked on the horn trouble in the car I babysit, but besides checking the fuse (& if it is good) I remember checking the horn itself under the hood. First I checked to see if the wires were connected (because sometimes it can be just a wire loose or disconnected). Then I used a piece of wire to run from the horn (this one had two) under the hood to direct battery power positive. The horn made horn noise.(I don't remember if the ground wires looked good or if I connected a ground wire as well). So knew the horn worked. I gave once over to wiring that I could see from horn till couldn't trace any more.Then I checked the wire coming into the fuse box-good. My wire from fuse box went into the steering column to a horn switch). I ended up pulling fuse for airbag (very important), waiting at least 10 minutes, disconnecting the battery(under the hood), then pulled the steering wheel (borrowed puller from friend otherwise would have borrowed one from O'Reilly auto). (If that ends up being what you need to do, this is a camaro that I babysit so I don't know if it is the same.). On the attachments "steering col remove camaro" don't just pry off the cover when it says to do that & that it might crack. Mine needed the lock plate compressor tool for both parts because there were 2 lock rings instead of one. I hope you don't need to get into the column though.

sharlimar

Also, if you do get to the point that you need to pull the steering wheel to check the horn button or pin with a spring insert, be very careful when removing the airbag, note with a marker where your "clockspring" is facing (like in the attachment), be very careful of the plastic horn ring. I found this one broken & needed to either buy one, or do like I did and use a heated plier held paperclip to slowly, carefully melt a new path to hold the pin and spring in that should lock into the plastic horn ring, in order that when you push on the horn this part can make contact so the horn would blast. I hope this makes sense. Any questions I will do my best to explain.

sharlimar

My post #14. The attachment "files" steering clo. remove camaro & tilt steering cloumn dis. no pics go together. They are done by the person I copied to do my work. I did not do these pictures of any work I did. They were just so helpful to me that I thought they might be to you.