'84 ranger horn wiring problems

[h_f_davidson]

Hi all! New to the forum, in need of assistance w/ my 84 Ranger (2.8 V6). When I bought it the electronics were pretty messy and modified in places, so I've ended up doing a lot of reconstruction, to varying degrees of success.

Horn is theoretically connected to the multi-function switch on the side of the steering column. On my wiring diagram (shop wiring manual for the 84) it says a yellow/light blue wire and a dark blue wire should connect the horn to the switch. The y/lb goes to C201 and the db goes to C202. Diagram picture below for reference.

Behind my fuse box I have a two-pin connector that has a y/lb and a db wire coming out of it, which I think, based on the colors and the fact that it looks unmodified, is original to the truck, but the connector isn't attached to anything. Picture below.

Y/lb and db two-pin connector

On the steering column, at both C201 and C202, I don't see any y/lb or db wires at all.

Went to a junkyard and found an 88 Ranger which also had that two-pin connector. Unfortunately, this one had been thoroughly picked over and the entire steering column/harness was gone. Connected to that y/lb and db two-pin was a cut-off connector with a black wire and a white/purple stripe wire. I don't see these colors ANYWHERE on either C201 or C202 on my steering column. Pictures of the connectors and my steering column below.

C202

C201

Steering column

Does anyone know what might be the issue is here? Where/what that mystery y/lb and db wire should connect to? What color the horn wires are coming off my steering column actually are? Any advice/assistance much appreciated, I've been really struggling with this fix.

Edit: picked through my wiring diagrams again and here's where it says each wire I can see goes on C201/C202. Bolded the ones I'm unsure about.

C201:
R/BK - from dimmer switch to headlights (for low-beam)
R/Y - from dimmer switch to main light switch
LG/W - LH front turn lamp
LG/W - LH turn indicator
LG/BK - from dimmer switch to headlights (for high-beam)
LG/BK - ?? (not sure what this second lg/bk is for)
LG/O - LH rear turn/stop lamp
((y/lb - missing))

C202
W/LB - RH front turn lamp
W/LB - RH turn indicator
LB - turn signal flasher
W/R - hazard flasher
LG - stop lamp switch (closed w/ brake pedal depressed)
LG - ?? (noted as for used speed control, but no speed control on my Ranger, as far as I know...?)
O/LB - RH rear turn/stop lamp
((db - missing))

Is it possible the wires just, got removed from the connectors...? Thanks again for any assistance!

 

[RobbieD]

Hi, and Welcome.

I'm not sure what you have going on.

On my '84 the Yel/L Blu dots is present on C201, and the D Blu is present on C102 (both pulled out of the bundle).

Mine is a Sep 1983 build. The horn contacts are in the multifunction switch, and there should be spade contacts on the switch for the two wires, at C201 and 202. I'm not sure about the 2-pin connector on yours; I don't see or recall one in my truck.

It's possible that the wires were cut, or the terminals slipped out C201 and C202 sometime in the past.

If you can confirm that the 2-pin connector has the power feed wire and the wire to the horn, you could extend and move them to C201 and C202, if you can find the correct terminals to crimp on the wires and slip into the connector bodies.


And an aside . . . don't cut that 3-hole radio dash panel to put a DIN unit in. Unmolested ones are getting hard to find. Get a later year dash panel if you're going DIN.

 

[h_f_davidson]

Hi, and Welcome.

I'm not sure what you have going on.

On my '84 the Yel/L Blu dots is present on C201, and the D Blu is present on C102 (both pulled out of the bundle).

View attachment 112391

Mine is a Sep 1983 build. The horn contacts are in the multifunction switch, and there should be spade contacts on the switch for the two wires, at C201 and 202. I'm not sure about the 2-pin connector on yours; I don't see or recall one in my truck.

It's possible that the wires were cut, or the terminals slipped out C201 and C202 sometime in the past.

If you can confirm that the 2-pin connector has the power feed wire and the wire to the horn, you could extend and move them to C201 and C202, if you can find the correct terminals to crimp on the wires and slip into the connector bodies.


And an aside . . . don't cut that 3-hole radio dash panel to put a DIN unit in. Unmolested ones are getting hard to find. Get a later year dash panel if you're going DIN.

Thanks very much for the help and the picture! I can confirm the 2-pin has power feed and wires to the horn (tested with a light and traced the circuit). Guess it looks like I'll be adding wires to C201/C202. This truck has some funny quirks--guess this is just one of them.

And re: dash panel/radio, I actually have an original early-80's Ford tape deck/radio I'm installing! Fits like a glove in the original dash panel. It's currently at the shop getting tuned up

 

[RobbieD]

I actually have an original early-80's Ford tape deck/radio I'm installing!

Bless you, my son! I really like seeing these old trucks restored to stock, especially when it comes to the radios. '84 was the last 3-holer year.

When you're ready to show your truck, we'd love to see some pics.

Good Luck!