GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Circuit Description

The vehicle horns are activated whenever ground is applied to the horn relay coil through the horn relay control circuit. Ground may be applied by either of the following:

    • Body control module (BCM)
    • Horn switch

Conditions for Running the DTC

    • The body control system voltage must be between 9.0 and 16.0 volts.
    • The BCM commands the horn relay on.

Conditions for Setting the DTC

The BCM will set DTC 7 under either of the following conditions:

    • The BCM detects a short to ground in the horn relay control circuit.
    • The BCM detects a short to voltage in the horn relay control circuit.

Action Taken When the DTC Sets

    • If the horn relay control circuit is shorted to ground the horns will remain on at all times.
    • If the horn relay control circuit is shorted to voltage the horns will not operate from the horn switch(es) or in the theft deterrent mode.
    • The BCM stores DTC 007 in memory.

Conditions for Clearing the DTC

A DTC will clear when the fault is no longer present and the DTCs are cleared as described in Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) Clearing. Refer to On-Board Diagnostic Features in Body Control Systems.

Diagnostic Aids

    • Inspect for a sticking horn pad and or switch.
    • Perform a visual inspection for loose or poor connections at all related components. Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections in Wiring Systems.

Test Description

The number(s) below refer to the step number(s) on the diagnostic table.

  1. Tests for voltage at the coil side of the horn relay. The HORN fuse supplies power to the coil side of the horn relay.

  2. Tests if ground is constantly being applied to the horn relay.

Step

Action

Yes

No

Schematic Reference: Horn Schematics

1

Did you perform the Horns Diagnostic System Check?

Go to Step 2

Go to Diagnostic System Check - Horns

2

Depress the horn switch.

Do the horns operate properly?

Go to Diagnostic Aids

Go to Step 3

3

  1. Turn OFF the ignition.
  2. Disconnect the horn relay.
  3. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.
  4. Connect a test lamp between the battery positive voltage circuit of the horn relay coil and a good ground.

Does the test lamp illuminate?

Go to Step 4

Go to Step 10

4

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

Does the test lamp turn ON and then OFF?

Go to Step 8

Go to Step 5

5

Does the test lamp remain illuminated when the horn switch is released?

Go to Step 7

Go to Step 6

6

Test the horn relay control circuit for a short to voltage. (The horn relay control circuit includes the horn slip ring and the horn switch.) Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

Go to Step 13

Go to Step 9

7

Test the horn relay control circuit for a short to ground. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

Go to Step 13

Go to Step 9

8

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

Did you find and correct the condition?

Go to Step 13

Go to Step 11

9

Inspect for poor connections at the harness connector of the body control module (BCM). Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections and Connector Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

Go to Step 13

Go to Step 12

10

Repair the battery positive voltage circuit of the horn relay coil. Refer to Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you complete the repair?

Go to Step 13

--

11

Replace the horn relay.

Did you complete the replacement?

Go to Step 13

--

12

Important:: Perform the BCM programming procedure when replacing the BCM.

Replace the BCM. Refer to Body Control Module Replacement in Body Control System.

Did you complete the replacement?

Go to Step 13

--

13

  1. Clear the BCM DTCs. Refer to On-Board Diagnostic Features in Body Control System.
  2. Operate the vehicle within the Conditions for Running the DTC as specified in the supporting text.

Does the DTC reset?

Go to Step 2

System OK