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For 1990-2009 cars only

Horns Malfunction LS4

Diagnostic Instructions

    • Perform the Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle prior to using this diagnostic procedure.
    • Review Strategy Based Diagnosis for an overview of the diagnostic approach.
    •  Diagnostic Procedure Instructions provides an overview of each diagnostic category.

Diagnostic Fault Information

Circuit

Short to Ground

Open/High Resistance

Short to Voltage

Signal Performance

Horn Relay Control

B2750 00

B2750 00

B2750 00

--

Horn Control

2

2

1

--

Horn Switch Signal Circuit

1

2

2

--

Horn Ground

--

2

2

--

1. Horn Always On

2. Horn Inoperative

Circuit/System Description

Battery positive voltage is applied at all times to the horn relay coil and the horn relay switch. Pressing the horn switch applies ground through the switch contacts and the horn relay control circuit to the coil side of the relay, energizing the relay. Battery voltage is then applied through the switch side of the relay, the horn fuse, and the horn control circuit to the horns. The body control module (BCM) may also apply ground to the horn relay control circuit as described above. The horns sound as long as ground is applied to the horn relay control circuit.

Diagnostic Aids

If diagnosing a Horn - Poor Tone condition, inspect the following:

    • Debris or water in the horn assembly.
    • Proper horn mounting hardware torque. Refer to Fastener Tightening Specifications.
    • Debris in the joint where the horns attach to the vehicle.

Reference Information

Schematic Reference

Horn Schematics

Connector End View Reference

Horn Connector End Views

Description and Operation

Horns System Description and Operation

Electrical Information Reference

    •  Circuit Testing
    •  Connector Repairs
    •  Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections
    •  Wiring Repairs

Scan Tool Reference

    •  Scan Tool Data Definitions
    •  Scan Tool Data List
    •  Scan Tool Output Controls

Circuit/System Verification

  1. Observe the Horn Switch parameter while pressing and releasing the horn pad. The reading should change between ON and OFF.
  2. If the reading does not change between ON and OFF, refer to Horn Switch Test.
  3. Command the horns ON and OFF with the scan tool. The horns should turn ON and OFF when changing between the commanded states.
  4. If the horns do not sound or continues to sound when changing between the commanded states, refer to Horn Circuit Test.
    If the sound emitted from the horns is not clear and even, refer to Horn - Poor Tone.

Circuit/System Testing

Horn Switch Test

  1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the harness connector C1 at the multifunction turn signal lever.
  2. Verify the scan tool Horn Switch parameter is OFF.
  3. If not the specified value, test the horn switch signal circuit terminal G for a short to ground. If the circuit tests normal, replace the BCM.
  4. Install a 3A fused jumper wire between the horn switch signal circuit terminal G and ground. Verify the scan tool Horn Switch parameter is ON.
  5. If not the specified value, test the signal circuit for a short to voltage or an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, replace the BCM.
  6. If all circuits test normal, replace the horn switch.

Horn Circuit Test

  1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the harness connector at the C2 underhood fuse block.
  2. Connect a test lamp between the control circuit terminal K3 and B+.
  3. Command the Horn Relay ON and OFF with a scan tool. The test lamp should turn ON and OFF when changing between the commanded states.
  4. If the test lamp is always ON, test the control circuit for a short to ground. If the circuit tests normal, replace the BCM.
    If the test lamp is always OFF, test the control circuit for a short to voltage or an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, replace the BCM.
  5. Ignition OFF, connect the harness connector C2 at the underhood fuse block.
  6. Disconnect the harness connector at the horn assembly.
  7. Test for less than 1.0 ohm of resistance between the horn assembly ground circuit terminal A and ground
  8. If greater than the specified range, test the ground circuit for an open/high resistance.
  9. Connect a test lamp between the control circuit terminal B and ground.
  10. Command the Horn Relay ON and OFF with a scan tool. The test lamp should turn ON and OFF when changing between the commanded states.
  11. If the test lamp is always ON, test the control circuit for a short to voltage. If the circuit tests normal, replace the underhood fuse block.
    If the test lamp is always OFF and the HORN fuse is good, test the control circuit for an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, replace the underhood fuse block.
    If the test lamp is always OFF and the HORN fuse is open, test the control circuit for a short to ground. If the circuit tests normal, test or replace the horn assembly.
  12. If all circuits test normal, test or replace the horn assembly.

Horn - Poor Tone

  1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the harness connector at the horn assembly.
  2. Test for less than 1.0 ohm of resistance between the horn assembly ground circuit terminal A and ground.
  3. If greater than the specified range, test the ground circuit for a high resistance.
  4. Disconnect the harness connector C3 at the underhood fuse block.
  5. Test for less than 1.0 ohm of resistance between the control circuit terminal J3 at the underhood fuse block and the control circuit terminal B at the horn assembly.
  6. If greater than the specified range, test the control circuit for a high resistance.
  7. If all circuits test normal, test or replace the horn assembly.

Component Testing

Horn

  1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the harness connector at the horn assembly.
  2. Install a 15A fused jumper wire between the control circuit terminal B and 12 volts. Install a jumper wire between the ground circuit terminal A and ground. Verify the horn emits a clear and even tone.
  3. If the sound emitted is not clear and even, replace the horn assembly.

Repair Instructions

Perform the Diagnostic Repair Verification after completing the diagnostic procedure.

    •  Horn Replacement
    •  Underhood Electrical Center or Junction Block Replacement
    •  Control Module References for BCM replacement, setup and programming

Horns Malfunction L26

Diagnostic Instructions

    • Perform the Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle prior to using this diagnostic procedure.
    • Review Strategy Based Diagnosis for an overview of the diagnostic approach.
    •  Diagnostic Procedure Instructions provides an overview of each diagnostic category.

Diagnostic Fault Information

Circuit

Short to Ground

Open/High Resistance

Short to Voltage

Signal Performance

Horn Relay Control

B2750 00

B2750 00

B2750 00

--

Horn Control

2

2

1

--

Horn Switch Signal Circuit

1

2

2

--

Horn Ground

--

2

2

--

1. Horn Always On

2. Horn Inoperative

Circuit/System Description

Battery positive voltage is applied at all times to the horn relay coil and the horn relay switch. Pressing the horn switch applies ground through the switch contacts and the horn relay control circuit to the coil side of the relay, energizing the relay. Battery voltage is then applied through the switch side of the relay, the horn fuse, and the horn control circuit to the horns. The body control module (BCM) may also apply ground to the horn relay control circuit as described above. The horns sound as long as ground is applied to the horn relay control circuit.

Diagnostic Aids

If diagnosing a Horn - Poor Tone condition, inspect the following:

    • Debris or water in the horn assembly.
    • Proper horn mounting hardware torque. Refer to Fastener Tightening Specifications .
    • Debris in the joint where the horns attach to the vehicle.

Reference Information

Schematic Reference

Horn Schematics

Connector End View Reference

Horn Connector End Views

Description and Operation

Horns System Description and Operation

Electrical Information Reference

    •  Circuit Testing
    •  Connector Repairs
    •  Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections
    •  Wiring Repairs

Scan Tool Reference

    •  Scan Tool Data Definitions
    •  Scan Tool Data List
    •  Scan Tool Output Controls

Circuit/System Verification

  1. Observe the Horn Switch parameter while pressing and releasing the horn pad. The reading should change between ON and OFF.
  2. If the reading does not change between ON and OFF, refer to Horn Switch Test.
  3. Command the horns ON and OFF with the scan tool. The horns should turn ON and OFF when changing between the commanded states.
  4. If the horns do not sound or continues to sound when changing between the commanded states, refer to Horn Circuit Test.
    If the sound emitted from the horns is not clear and even, refer to Horn - Poor Tone.

Circuit/System Testing

Horn Switch Circuit Test

  1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the HORN relay.
  2. Ignition ON, verify that a test lamp does not illuminate between the output circuit terminal M8 and ground.
  3. If the test lamp illuminates, test the output circuit for a short to voltage.
  4. Verify that a test lamp illuminates between the B+ circuit terminal K8 and ground.
  5. If the test lamp does not illuminate, test the B+ circuit for a short to ground or an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal and the B+ circuit fuse is open, test the output circuit for a short to ground. If the circuit tests normal, test or replace the horn relay.
  6. Verify that a test lamp illuminates between the B+ circuit terminal K7 and ground.
  7. If the test lamp does not illuminate, test the B+ circuit for an open/high resistance.
  8. Ignition OFF, disconnect the harness connector at the horn assembly.
  9. Test for less than 1.0 ohm of resistance between the horn ground circuit terminal A and ground.
  10. If greater than the specified range, test the ground circuit for an open/high resistance.
  11. Connect the harness connector at the horn assembly.
  12. Ignition ON, connect a 15A fused jumper wire between the B+ circuit terminal K7 and the output circuit terminal M8. Verify the horns are activated.
  13. If the horn does not activate, test the output circuit for an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, test or replace the horn assembly.
  14. Connect a test lamp between the B+ circuit terminal K8 and the control circuit terminal M7.
  15. Press and release the steering wheel horn pad. The test lamp should turn ON and OFF when changing between the commanded states.
  16. If the test lamp is always ON, test the control circuit for a short to ground. If the circuit tests normal, inspect for a sticking horn switch.
    If the test lamp is always OFF, test the control circuit for a short to voltage or an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, inspect for an open horn switch.
  17. If all circuits test normal, test or replace the horn relay.

Horn Circuit Test

  1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the horn relay.
  2. Connect a test lamp between the B+ circuit terminal K8 and the control circuit terminal M7.
  3. Ignition ON, command the horn ON and OFF with a scan tool. The test lamp should turn ON and OFF when changing between the commanded states.
  4. If the test lamp is always ON, test the control circuit for a short to ground. If the circuit tests normal, replace the BCM.
    If the test lamp is always OFF, test circuit the control circuit for a short to voltage or an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, replace the BCM.

Horn - Poor Tone

  1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the harness connector at the horn assembly.
  2. Test for less than 1.0 ohm of resistance between the horn ground circuit terminal A and ground.
  3. If greater than the specified range, test the ground circuit for a high resistance.
  4. Disconnect the harness connector C3 at the underhood fuse block.
  5. Test for less than 1.0 ohm of resistance between the control circuit terminal A2 at the underhood fuse block and the control circuit terminal B at the horn assembly.
  6. If greater than the specified range, test the control circuit for a high resistance.
  7. If all circuits test normal, test or replace the horn assembly.

Component Testing

Horn

  1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the harness connector at the horn assembly.
  2. Install a 15A fused jumper wire between the control circuit terminal B and 12 volts. Install a jumper wire between the ground circuit terminal A and ground. Verify the horn emits a clear and even tone.
  3. If the sound emitted is not clear and even, replace the horn assembly.
  1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the HORN relay.
  2. Test for 60-180 ohms of resistance between terminals 85 and 86.
  3. If the resistance is not within the specified range, replace the relay.
  4. Test for infinite resistance between the following terminals:
  5. • 30 and 86
    • 30 and 87
    • 30 and 85
    • 85 and 87
    If not the specified value, replace the relay.
  6. Install a 30-amp fused jumper wire between relay terminal 85 and 12 volts. Install a jumper wire between relay terminal 86 and ground. Test for less than 2 ohms of resistance between terminals 30 and 87.
  7. If greater than the specified range, replace the relay.

Repair Instructions

Perform the Diagnostic Repair Verification after completing the diagnostic procedure.

    •  Horn Replacement
    •  Relay Replacement
    •  Control Module References for BCM replacement, setup and programming