Switch, Horn: Operation

WARNING: This page is about a different variant/trim than selected.

The floating horn switch plate allows the vehicle operator to actuate the horn by depressing anywhere on the upper surface of the Driver AirBag (DAB) trim cover in the center of the steering wheel. The four sets of horn switch contacts are wired in parallel so they perform as a single switch. One contact from each pair is connected to a path to ground at all times through the steering wheel wire harness and the clockspring.

When the DAB trim cover is depressed, the DAB housing compresses the coil springs isolating the floating horn switch plate causing at least one of the four sets of electrically conductive horn switch contacts to close. When the DAB trim cover is released, the coil springs on the switch plate return the DAB to its at rest position and open the horn switch contacts, which opens the horn switch circuit. The closed horn switch contacts provide a ground signal to the control coil of the horn relay located in the Power Distribution Center (PDC). The horn relay in the PDC then controls the output to the horn accordingly.

The hard wired circuits between components related to the horn switch plate may be diagnosed using conventional diagnostic tools and procedures. Refer to the appropriate wiring information. The wiring information includes wiring diagrams, details of wire harness routing and retention, connector pin-out information and location views for the various wire harness connectors, splices and grounds. For proper wire repair, refer to STANDARD PROCEDURE . For connector repair procedures, refer to REMOVAL and INSTALLATION .