The horn system uses a non-switched source of bat-
tery current so that the system will remain func-
tional, regardless of the ignition switch position. The
horn system includes the following components:

• Clockspring

• Horn

• Horn relay

• Horn switch

OPERATION

The horn system is activated by a horn switch con-

cealed beneath the driver side airbag module trim
cover in the center of the steering wheel. Depressing
the center of the driver side airbag module trim cover
closes the horn switch. Closing the horn switch acti-
vates the horn relay. The activated horn relay then
switches the battery current needed to energize the
horns.

HORN

DESCRIPTION

The horn is secured with a bracket to the left front

inner fender shield just ahead of the left front wheel
house in the engine compartment.

The horn cannot be repaired or adjusted and, if

faulty or damaged, it must be replaced.

OPERATION

Within the two halves of the molded plastic horn

housing are a flexible diaphragm, a plunger, an elec-
tromagnetic coil and a set of contact points. The dia-
phragm

secured

suspension

around

its

perimeter by the mating surfaces of the horn hous-

ing. The plunger is secured to the center of the dia-
phragm

and

extends

into

the

center

the

electromagnet. The contact points control the current
flow through the electromagnet.

When the horn is energized, electrical current

flows through the closed contact points to the electro-
magnet. The resulting electromagnetic field draws
the plunger and diaphragm toward it until that
movement mechanically opens the contact points.
When the contact points open, the electromagnetic
field collapses allowing the plunger and diaphragm to
return to their relaxed positions and closing the con-
tact points again. This cycle continues repeating at a
very rapid rate producing the vibration and move-
ment of air that creates the sound that is directed
through the horn outlet.

DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - HORN

For complete circuit diagrams, refer to the appro-

priate wiring information.

(1) Disconnect the wire harness connectors from

the horn connector receptacles. Measure the resis-
tance between the ground circuit cavity of the horns
wire harness connectors and a good ground. There
should be continuity. If OK, go to Step 2. If not OK,
repair the open ground circuit to ground as required.

(2) Check for battery voltage at the horn relay out-

put circuit cavity of the horns wire harness connec-
tors. There should be zero volts. If OK, go to Step 3.
If not OK, repair the shorted horn relay output cir-
cuit or replace the faulty horn relay as required.

(3) Depress the horn switch. There should now be

battery voltage at the horn relay output circuit cavity
of the horns wire harness connectors. If OK, replace
the faulty horns. If not OK, repair the open horn
relay output circuit to the horn relay as required.

HORN

8H - 1

REMOVAL

(1) Disconnect and isolate the battery negative

cable.

(2) Disconnect the wire harness connector from the

horn (Fig. 1).

(3) Remove the screw that secures the horn and

mounting bracket to the left front inner fender
shield.

(4) Remove the horn and mounting bracket from

the left front inner fender shield.

INSTALLATION

(1) Position the horn and mounting bracket onto

the left front inner fender shield.

(2) Install the mounting screw. Tighten the screw

to 8.5 N·m (75 in. lbs.).

(3) Reconnect the wire harness connector.
(4) Connect the battery negative cable.

HORN SWITCH

DESCRIPTION

A center-blow, normally open, resistive membrane-

type horn switch is secured in a plastic tray that is
inserted in a pocket sewn on the front of the driver
side airbag retainer strap. The horn switch is con-
cealed behind the driver side airbag module trim
cover.

The steering wheel and steering column must be

properly grounded in order for the horn switch to
function properly. The horn switch and plastic tray
are serviced as a unit. If the horn switch is damaged
or faulty, or if the driver side airbag is deployed, the
horn switch and tray must be replaced as a unit.

OPERATION

When the center area of the driver side airbag trim

cover is depressed, the electrically conductive grids
on the facing surfaces of the horn switch membranes
contact each other, closing the switch circuit. The
completed horn switch circuit provides a ground for
the control coil side of the horn relay, which activates
the relay. When the horn switch is released, the
resistive tension of the convex membrane separates
the two electrically conductive grids and opens the
switch circuit.

DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - HORN SWITCH

For complete circuit diagrams, refer to the appro-

priate wiring information.

WARNING: ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AIR-
BAGS,

REFER

ELECTRICAL,

RESTRAINTS

BEFORE ATTEMPTING ANY STEERING WHEEL,
STEERING

COLUMN,

INSTRUMENT

PANEL

COMPONENT DIAGNOSIS OR SERVICE. FAILURE
TO TAKE THE PROPER PRECAUTIONS COULD
RESULT IN ACCIDENTAL AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT
AND POSSIBLE PERSONAL INJURY.

(1) Disconnect and isolate the battery negative

cable. Remove the steering column opening cover
from the instrument panel.

(2) Check for continuity between the metal steer-

ing column jacket and a good ground. There should
be continuity. If OK, go to Step 3. If not OK, refer to
Steering, Column for proper installation of the steer-
ing column.

(3) Remove the driver side airbag module from the

steering wheel. Disconnect the horn switch wire har-
ness connectors from the driver side airbag module.

(4) Remove the horn relay from the Power Distri-

bution Center (PDC). Check for continuity between
the steering column half of the horn switch feed wire
harness connector and a good ground. There should
be no continuity. If OK, go to Step 5. If not OK,
repair the shorted horn relay control circuit to the
horn relay in the PDC as required.

(5) Check for continuity between the steering col-

umn half of the horn switch feed wire harness con-
nector and the horn relay control circuit cavity for
the horn relay in the PDC. There should be continu-
ity. If OK, go to Step 6. If not OK, repair the open
horn relay control circuit to the horn relay in the
PDC as required.

(6) Check for continuity between the horn switch

feed wire and the horn switch ground wire on the
driver side airbag module. There should be no conti-
nuity. If OK, go to Step 7. If not OK, replace the
faulty horn switch.

Fig. 1 HORN

8H - 2

HORN

HORN (Continued)

(7) Depress the center of the driver side airbag

module trim cover and check for continuity between
the horn switch feed wire and the horn switch
ground wire on the driver side airbag module. There
should now be continuity. If not OK, replace the
faulty horn switch.

REMOVAL

WARNING:

•

VEHICLES

EQUIPPED

WITH

AIRBAGS,

REFER TO ELECTRICAL, RESTRAINTS BEFORE
ATTEMPTING ANY STEERING WHEEL, STEERING
COLUMN, OR INSTRUMENT PANEL COMPONENT
DIAGNOSIS OR SERVICE. FAILURE TO TAKE THE
PROPER PRECAUTIONS COULD RESULT IN ACCI-
DENTAL AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT AND POSSIBLE
PERSONAL INJURY.

•

THE HORN SWITCH IS INTEGRAL TO THE

DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG MODULE. SERVICE OF THIS
COMPONENT SHOULD BE PERFORMED ONLY BY
CHRYSLER-TRAINED AND AUTHORIZED DEALER
SERVICE TECHNICIANS. FAILURE TO TAKE THE
PROPER PRECAUTIONS OR TO FOLLOW THE
PROPER PROCEDURES COULD RESULT IN ACCI-
DENTAL, INCOMPLETE, OR IMPROPER AIRBAG
DEPLOYMENT AND POSSIBLE OCCUPANT INJU-
RIES.

(1) Disconnect and isolate the battery negative

cable.

(2) Remove the trim cover from the driver side air-

bag. (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/RESTRAINTS/
DRIVER AIRBAG - REMOVAL).

(3) Remove the horn switch and tray as a unit

from the pouch on the retaining strap of the driver
side airbag module (Fig. 2).

INSTALLATION

WARNING:

•

VEHICLES

EQUIPPED

WITH

AIRBAGS,

•

THE HORN SWITCH IS INTEGRAL TO THE

(1) Install the horn switch and tray as a unit into

the pouch on the retaining strap of the driver side
airbag module. Be certain that the tray is facing the
airbag module, that the horn switch is facing the
trim cover, that the horn switch feed wire is on the
left, and that the horn switch ground wire is on the
right.

(2) Install the trim cover onto the driver side air-

bag. (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/RESTRAINTS/
DRIVER

AIRBAG

INSTALLATION)

for

the

procedure.

(3) Reconnect the battery negative cable.

Fig. 2 HORN SWITCH

1 - HORN SWITCH GROUND WIRE EYELET
2 - HORN SWITCH
3 - AIRBAG RETAINING STRAP
4 - POUCH
5 - DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG MODULE (TRIM COVER REMOVED)
6 - TRAY
7 - HORN SWITCH FEED WIRE CONNECTOR

HORN

8H - 3

HORN SWITCH (Continued)

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