Jeep XJ. Manual - part 110
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
is
secured
in
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
of
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.
HORN RELAY
DESCRIPTION
The horn relay is a electromechanical device that
switches battery current to the horn when the horn
switch grounds the relay coil. The horn relay is
located in the junction block on the right cowl side
inner panel below the instrument panel in the pas-
senger compartment. If a problem is encountered
with a continuously sounding horn, it can usually be
quickly resolved by removing the horn relay from the
junction block until further diagnosis is completed.
Refer to Junction Block in the Contents of Group
8W - Wiring Diagrams for horn relay identification
and location.
The horn relay is a International Standards Orga-
nization (ISO) relay. Relays conforming to the ISO
specifications have common physical dimensions, cur-
rent capacities, terminal patterns, and terminal func-
tions.
The horn relay cannot be repaired or adjusted and,
if faulty or damaged, it must be replaced.
OPERATION
The ISO relay consists of an electromagnetic coil, a
resistor or diode, and three (two fixed and one mov-
able) electrical contacts. The movable (common feed)
relay contact is held against one of the fixed contacts
(normally closed) by spring pressure. When the elec-
tromagnetic coil is energized, it draws the movable
contact away from the normally closed fixed contact,
and holds it against the other (normally open) fixed
contact.
When the electromagnetic coil is de-energized,
spring pressure returns the movable contact to the
normally closed position. The resistor or diode is con-
nected in parallel with the electromagnetic coil in the
relay, and helps to dissipate voltage spikes that are
produced when the coil is de-energized.
HORN SWITCH
DESCRIPTION
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 mem-
branes are secured to each other around the perime-
ter. 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 pro-
vides it with continuity to ground at all times. The
grid of the other membrane is connected to the horn
relay control circuit.
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 module trim cover. If
the horn switch is damaged or faulty, or if the driver
side airbag is deployed, the driver side airbag module
Fig. 1 Driver Side Airbag Module Trim Cover and
Horn Switch
1 – RETAINER SLOTS
2 – TRIM COVER
3 – LOCKING BLOCKS
4 – RETAINER SLOTS
5 – HORN SWITCH
8G - 2
HORN SYSTEMS
XJ
DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION (Continued)