Diagnosis And Testing - Horn System

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2013 RAM 3500 HD and 2013 RAM 2500 HD. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

WARNING:

To avoid serious or fatal injury on vehicles equipped with airbags, disable the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) before attempting any steering wheel, steering column, airbag, seat belt tensioner, impact sensor or instrument panel component diagnosis or service. Disconnect and isolate the battery negative (ground) cable, then wait two minutes for the system capacitor to discharge before performing further diagnosis or service. This is the only sure way to disable the SRS. Failure to take the proper precautions could result in accidental airbag deployment.

NOTE:

A continuously sounding horn is immediately resolved by disconnecting the wiring at the horns.

HORN SYSTEM DIAGNOSIS
CONDITION	POSSIBLE CAUSES	CORRECTION
HORNS SOUND CONTINUOUSLY	1. Ineffective horn feed circuit.	1. Test and repair shorted horn feed circuit if required.
	2. Ineffective horn switch return circuit.	2. Test and repair shorted horn switch return circuit if required.
	3. Ineffective horn relay.	3. Test and replace the horn relay, which is integral to the Power Distribution Center (PDC) if required.
	4. Ineffective horn switch contact.	4. Test and replace the shorted horn switch contact if required.
	5. Ineffective Local Interface Network (LIN) slave node (LIN module or speed control switch pod, as equipped) inputs or outputs.	5. Use a diagnostic scan tool for further testing of the LIN slave node. Refer to the appropriate diagnostic information.
	6. Ineffective LIN master node, Controller Area Network (CAN) gateway (Steering Angle Sensor/SAS integral to the clockspring) inputs or outputs.	6. Use a diagnostic scan tool for further testing of the LIN master node and CAN gateway (SAS). Refer to the appropriate diagnostic information.
	7. Ineffective Body Control Module (BCM) inputs or outputs.	7. Use a diagnostic scan tool to test the BCM inputs and outputs. Refer to the appropriate diagnostic information.
HORNS SOUND INTERMITTENTLY AS THE STEERING WHEEL IS ROTATED	1. Ineffective horn switch return circuit.	1. Test and repair intermittently shorted horn switch return circuit if required.
	2. Ineffective horn switch contact.	2. Test and replace the intermittently open or shorted horn switch contact if required.
	3. Ineffective LIN slave node (LIN module or speed control switch pod, as equipped) inputs or outputs.	3. Use a diagnostic scan tool for further testing of the LIN slave node. Refer to the appropriate diagnostic information.
	4. Ineffective LIN bus circuits.	4. Use a diagnostic scan tool for further testing of the LIN bus circuits. Refer to the appropriate diagnostic information.
	5. Ineffective LIN master node, CAN gateway (Steering Angle Sensor/SAS integral to the clockspring) inputs or outputs.	5. Use a diagnostic scan tool for further testing of the LIN master node and CAN gateway (SAS). Refer to the appropriate diagnostic information.
HORNS DO NOT SOUND	1. Ineffective horn ground circuit.	1. Test and repair open horn ground circuit if required.
	2. Ineffective horn feed circuit.	2. Test and repair open horn feed circuit if required.
	3. Ineffective horn relay.	3. Test and replace the horn relay, which is integral to the Power Distribution Center (PDC) if required.
	4. Ineffective horns.	4. Test and replace open horns if required.
	5. Ineffective horn switch feed circuit.	5. Test and repair open horn switch feed circuit if required.
	6. Ineffective horn switch return circuit.	6. Test and repair open horn switch return circuit if required.
	7. Ineffective horn switch contacts.	7. Test and replace the open horn switch contacts if required.
	8. Ineffective LIN slave node (Steering Angle Sensor/SAS integral to the clockspring) inputs or outputs.	8. Use a diagnostic scan tool for further testing of the LIN slave node. Refer to the appropriate diagnostic information.
	9. Ineffective LIN master node, CAN gateway (Steering Angle Sensor/SAS integral to the clockspring) inputs or outputs.	9. Use a diagnostic scan tool for further testing of the LIN master node and CAN gateway (SAS). Refer to the appropriate diagnostic information.
	10. Ineffective BCM inputs or outputs.	10. Use a diagnostic scan tool to test the BCM inputs and outputs. Refer to the appropriate diagnostic information.