Thursday, November 28, 2013
How to Install a Horn Button on a Steering Column
Horn pads and horn buttons are commonly used while driving. To sound the cars horn, a driver must press the pad or button. Typically, the button is located on the face of the steering wheel, for easy access. The pad or button itself is wired directly to the horn, which is located in the front of the vehicle. While the horn system is relatively simplistic, it is not standard throughout all vehicles. The removal and installation process slightly differs, and more precise instructions can be found in a Haynes or Chilton manual for your model, make and year.
Instructions
- 1
Open your vehicles hood and locate the battery. Remove the negative cable from the negative terminal. Then, remove the positive cable from the positive terminal. Wait five minutes or more and allow power remaining inside your vehicle to drain out. This is a security precaution. You do not want your airbags accidentally deploying. It may not be necessary depending on your exact make and model, but it is always a good precaution when working on or near a vehicles dashboard.
2Climb into the drivers seat and look at your vehicles steering wheel and horn button. Examine the button very closely. Some horn pads can easily pried off, but you have to make sure the pad does not interlock with any components or paneling on the front of the steering wheel. Insert a tape wrapped screwdriver at the edge of the pad. Slowly pry the pad out of the steering wheels retaining clips. Exercise caution while doing this, as there is wiring connected to the back of the pad.
3Examine the horn button again, if it appears to interlock with other panels and buttons on the steering wheel. Dismantle and remove the panels to get to the button. In some models, like Ford pick-ups, you will have to start at the base of the column and remove other components like the airbag module. Once the obstructions are clear, the button can be easily lifted away from the steering wheel.
4Undo the wiring from the back of the button or pad. There will be a simple wiring connector. You should not have to worry about clipping and crimping any wires.
5Set the old button aside. Connect your vehicles wiring to the back of the new pad or button. Reassemble the steering wheel panels in the reverse of how you took them apart. If you steering wheel features a simple horn pad, connect the pad to the steering wheels retaining clips.
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