GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Test Description

The numbers below refer to the step numbers on the diagnostic table.

  1. Tests for voltage at the battery positive voltage terminal of the horn relay coil.

  2. Tests for voltage at the battery positive voltage terminal of the horn relay switch. The HORN fuse supplies power to the battery positive voltage terminal of the horn relay switch.

  3. The horns need maximum current flow to operate properly. A high resistance greater than 0.5 ohm in the horn control circuit or the horn ground circuit could cause operating problems with the horns. Inspect the circuits for faults that would restrict current flow.

  4. The horn relay control circuit includes the horn slip ring and the horn switch. The horn slip ring and the horn switch must be tested for a high resistance, an open or a short to voltage when testing the relay control circuit.

Step

Action

Yes

No

Schematic Reference: Horn Schematics

Connector End View Reference: Horn Connector End Views

1

Did you perform the Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle?

Go to Step 2

Go to Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle

2

Depress the horn switch.

Do the horns operate?

Go to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections

Go to Step 3

3

  1. Disconnect the horn relay.
  2. Connect a test lamp between the battery positive voltage circuit of the horn relay coil and ground.

Does the test lamp illuminate?

Go to Step 4

Go to Step 13

4

  1. Connect a test lamp between the battery positive voltage circuit of the horn relay coil and the horn relay control circuit.
  2. Depress and hold the horn switch.

Does the test lamp illuminate?

Go to Step 5

Go to Step 14

5

Connect a test lamp between the battery positive voltage circuit of the horn relay switch and ground.

Does the test lamp illuminate?

Go to Step 6

Go to Step 15

6

Momentarily connect a 15-amp fused jumper wire between the battery positive voltage circuit of the horn relay switch and the horn control circuit.

Does the horn operate?

Go to Step 11

Go to Step 7

7

  1. Reconnect the horn relay.
  2. Disconnect the horn connector.
  3. Connect a test lamp between the horn control circuit and ground.
  4. Depress and hold the horn switch.

Does the test lamp illuminate?

Go to Step 8

Go to Step 16

8

  1. Connect a test lamp between the horn control circuit and the horn ground circuit.
  2. Depress and hold the horn switch.

Does the test lamp illuminate?

Go to Step 9

Go to Step 17

9

Inspect for poor connections at the harness connector of the horn. Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections and Connector Repairs .

Did you find and correct the condition?

Go to Step 20

Go to Step 10

10

  1. Connect a 15-amp fused jumper wire between the positive battery terminal and the control terminal of the horn.
  2. Connect another jumper wire between the negative battery terminal and the ground terminal of the horn.

Does the horn operate?

Go to Step 12

Go to Step 19

11

Inspect for poor connections at the horn relay. Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections and Connector Repairs .

Did you find and correct the condition?

Go to Step 20

Go to Step 18

12

Repair the high resistance in the horn control circuit or the horn ground circuit. A resistance as low as 0.5 ohm could cause operating problems with the horns. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs .

Did you complete the repair?

Go to Step 20

--

13

Repair the open or high resistance in the battery positive voltage circuit of the horn relay coil. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs .

Did you complete the repair?

Go to Step 20

--

14

Repair the open or short to battery positive voltage in the horn relay control circuit. The horn relay control circuit includes the horn brush slip ring and the horn switch. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs .

Did you complete the repair?

Go to Step 20

--

15

Repair the open or high resistance in the battery positive voltage circuit of the horn relay switch. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs .

Did you complete the repair?

Go to Step 20

--

16

Repair the open or high resistance in the horn control circuit. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs .

Did you complete the repair?

Go to Step 20

--

17

Repair the open or high resistance in the horn ground circuit. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs .

Did you complete the repair?

Go to Step 20

--

18

Replace the horn relay. Refer to Relay Replacement .

Did you complete the replacement?

Go to Step 20

--

19

Replace the horns. Refer to Horn Replacement .

Did you complete the replacement?

Go to Step 20

--

20

Operate the horns.

Do the horns operate properly?

System OK

Go to Step 1