I have a 98 Ranger that failed inspection as the horn recently went out. I never use the horn so god only knows how long it has been out. I uninstalled the dual horn from the frame, cleaned all the contacts on horn and frame (as frame is the ground). Reinstalled still no horn. The horn chimes when keyless entry is used to lock the vehicle. I took some jumper cables and supplied power to the horn directly from the battery and it worked just fine.
I checked the HORN Fuse, looks good.
As for the relay I swapped it out with the fuel pump relay and washer pump relay, no change, horn still did not work.

I disconnected battery, removed air bag from sterring colum, reconnected battery, pressed the plates directly on sterring column to make sure contact was being made, still no HORN.

My AIR bag light is not on, my cruise control still works, turn signals work.

I am assuming there is an electrical problem between the pressure plates on the steering column and the fuse/relay box.

Any help would greatly be appreciated, thanks.

ALSO, would it just be easier to install a dash button for the horn to pass inspection? If so can anyone give me pointers on that. The horn works, just not sure how to install a button on the dash that will make the horn work, the whole wiring issue is puzzling to me.

Thanks
RJ HARRY
USMC
Camp Lejeune NC
98 Ranger XLT
03 Expedtion XLT
01 F150 XLT

 

Are you getting 12v at the switch on the wheel? Do you hear the relay click when you hit the horn? Sounds like I would start at teh switch on the wheel.

 

Was not getting any volts at the horn in the sterring wheel, looks like I have a bad clock spring as my cruise control wasnt working either. I found power up to where the clock spring wring harness connected. I ended up putting a horn button on the dash to the left of the steering wheel as a quick fix to pass inspection. Thanks