88 Ranger Horn question.

[BillRod]

Hi

I have an 88 Ranger, 2.9L, 5spd, 4x4, Ext cab.

The horn does not work.
I checked the obvious stuff:
Fuse ok, Horn plugged in, Horn actually works when jumper'd straight to the battery.

Before I start tearing into the dash with my meter & test light to start chasing gremilns....

Are there any common fail points I can look at first?

Thanks in advance
Bill

 

[levan1997]

Remove steering column cover. There is a switch with two spring loaded prongs that is supposed to touch the back of steering wheel ring. If one of the springs on the prongs breaks, the prongs on the switch won't touch the electrical ring and the horn won't work.

 

[shadetree]

Make sure the connections at the horn are clean. They get corroded, rusty, etc. Slide the connector on and off several times. I just did my f150. I had to physically clean the connectors.

Use a test light to the horn wiring conector. See if it has voltage when the button is pushed.

The horn should have a relay. If it is working, you should hear it clicking when the button is pushed. Pull the relay from its connector and check for voltage. You should have two voltage sources. One to power the relay coil, and one to power the horn when the relay closes.

If you have an ohmmeter, one of the relay contacts will go to the horn button, then to ground when the button is pushed. The button grounds the relay coil closing the relay contacts sending voltage to the horn.shady

 

[BillRod]

Remove steering column cover. There is a switch with two spring loaded prongs that is supposed to touch the back of steering wheel ring. If one of the springs on the prongs breaks, the prongs on the switch won't touch the electrical ring and the horn won't work.

That's the problem.
Only 1 of the 2 prongs is touching the wheel.

I called the dealer, thinking a new one might be best to replace it with but the guy at the counter can't seem to find what I'm talking about!!

I guess I'll hit the pickyurpart this afternoon and see what kind of luck I have there.

Thanks
Bill

 

[AllanD]

Just be sure to get one out of the same type of column.

The one in the tilt columns has three contact fingers and
it isn't compatible with the two finger type on non tilt columns.

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