Horn Switch: Testing and Inspection

WARNING: ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AIRBAGS, DISABLE THE AIRBAG SYSTEM BEFORE ATTEMPTING ANY STEERING WHEEL, STEERING COLUMN, OR INSTRUMENT PANEL COMPONENT DIAGNOSIS OR SERVICE. DISCONNECT AND ISOLATE THE BATTERY NEGATIVE (GROUND) CABLE,THEN WAIT TWO MINUTES FOR THE AIRBAG SYSTEM CAPACITOR TO DISCHARGE BEFORE PERFORMING FURTHER DIAGNOSIS OR SERVICE. THIS IS THE ONLY SURE WAY TO DISABLE THE AIRBAG SYSTEM. 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 driver airbag from the steering wheel.
2. Check for continuity between the metal steering wheel armature and a good ground. There should be continuity. If OK, go to Step 3. If not OK, refer to Steering to check for proper installation of the steering column, including fastener tightness.
3. Remove the horn relay from the receptacle in the Junction Block (JB). Check for continuity between the horn relay control circuit cavity of the steering wheel wire harness connector for the horn switch and a good ground. There should be no continuity. If OK, go to Step 4. If not OK, repair the shorted horn relay control circuit to the horn relay receptacle in the JB as required.
4. Check for continuity between the horn relay control circuit cavities of the steering wheel wire harness connector for the horn switch and the horn relay receptacle in the JB. There should be continuity. If OK, go to Step 5. If not OK, repair the open horn relay control circuit to the horn relay receptacle in the JB as required.
5. Check for continuity between the two horn switch pigtail wires on the driver airbag trim cover. There should be no continuity. If OK, go to Step 6. If not OK, replace the faulty driver airbag trim cover and horn switch unit.
6. Depress the center of the driver airbag trim cover and check for continuity between the two horn switch pigtail wires on the driver airbag trim cover. There should now be continuity. If not OK, replace the faulty driver airbag trim cover and horn switch unit.