So I disconnected my negative battery terminal so that I could install new Cruise control buttons in my 2000 Ford Ranger XLT. When I finished, I went to reconnect the negative terminal but the horn (or factory alarm??) is going off immediately!!! There is no key in the ignition?
I even loosed the airbag bolts to see if they were the cause....nope....anyone have any ideas?? I’m kinda in a jam as I need to get to work !! Any help would be great!!

 

Won't be a factory alarm in 2000, 1999 and up have PATS, passive anti-theft system
Could be Dealer installed or 3rd party

In the engine bay fuse box pull out fuse #10, that should be the horn fuse, or pull the horn relay, its in there as well

That will quiet things down so you can look for alarm box, usually under the dash, look for a model number, it will be "clicking" if active

To disarm try locking and closing all doors(leave window down) then unlock drivers door with the key, not the fob

 

Thanks Ron, I was looking at taking the horn relay out for now...I don’t have a manual but I saw online that the #7 relay is the horn....will that work? Thanks for all/any help.
mike

 

Go here to get the manual: https://www.ranger-forums.com/genera...1-models-3747/

Check page 145

No, fuse 7 is not for horn in a 2000 Ranger, in cab fuse box or engine fuse box

 

So there is no aftermarket alarm. But when I either tighten the airbag screws (8mm on side of steering wheel) the horn goes off. So I loosened them but they’re too loose then when I closed my hood the horn (anti-theft) went off again. I never had any problems at all until I replaced there cruise control buttons on the steering wheel. Is there something there that I’m missing???

 

Under the steering wheel is the Clockspring wire harness, this allows the steering wheel to turn while the buttons and airbag stay connected

The horn button is a Ground, when it is pressed, it Grounds the Horn Relay activating the horn, so this is not an alarm, just a short to ground under the airbag or in the cruise buttons, they use the same Ground as the horn

As always, disconnect battery and wait 10 minutes before touching airbag parts

 

I had the same problem when changing my cruise switches on my '99. The air bag gets real finnicky when putting it back together. I found that if its
not sitting perfectly or that I over tighten the screw the horn would go off. All it took was about a half turn loosen on the screws to stop it
from blowing the horn. The assembly is still tight enough even after backing out the screws.

 

This was the exact problem I was having...all other noted solutions weren’t working. After seeing your note I simply detached the air bag assembly and made sure all wires were tucked and clear of the air bag/horn and then ensured everything was aligned. No horn!