Horn Switch: Description

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2004 Dodge Dakota and 2003 Dodge Dakota. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

A center-blow, normally open, resistive membrane-type horn switch is secured with heat stakes to the back side of the driver side airbag module trim cover in the center of the steering wheel (Fig 1 ). The switch consists of two plastic membranes, one that is flat and one that is slightly convex. These two membranes are secured to each other around the perimeter. Inside the switch, the centers of the facing surfaces of these membranes each has a grid made with an electrically conductive material applied to it. One of the grids is connected to a circuit that provides it with continuity to ground at all times. The grid of the other membrane is connected to the horn relay control circuit.

Fig 1: Identifying Driver Side Airbag Module Trim Cover and Horn Switch

Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.

The steering wheel and steering column must be properly grounded in order for the horn switch to function properly. The horn switch is only serviced as a part of the driver side airbag trim cover. If the horn switch is damaged or faulty, or if the driver side airbag is deployed, the driver side airbag trim cover and horn switch must be replaced as a unit (Refer to AIR BAG RESTRAINT SYSTEMS (2003) or AIR BAG RESTRAINT SYSTEMS (2004) ).