Questions and Answers

Horny F-150

Q. My problem has to do with the horn. All of sudden it sounds when I turn the steering wheel in either direction. I disassembled the switch on the steering wheel which is pressed for normal horn operation and the problem still happens. This leads me to believe the problem is in the steering column. Any information you can provide to help identify the solution will be greatly appreciated, not only by me, but also by the person ahead of me who is getting honked at for apparent reason.

1998 Ford F-150
302
Manual trans
140,000 miles
Fuel injection
ABS brakes
P/S, A/C, and Cruise Control which hasn't worked since I bought the truck 3 years. ago.

Thanks in advance,
Bobby

A. Well, if you took the horn pad off and the horn contacts are not broken, then you are right, you have a short in the wiring going through the steering column or a broken clock spring. The clock spring looks like the mainspring of a watch and allows a direct, more reliable connection to the steering wheel. Finding a shorted wire can be a little tough to find due to the difficulty of seeing the wires in the column.

Power is routed from the fuse to the horn relay which goes to the clock spring in the steering wheel. When you press the horn, you ground the circuit which completes the circuit and the horn then sounds. A short anywhere between the relay and the steering wheel will make the horn sound.

At this point you will need to remove the steering wheel to inspect the clock spring and wiring. If the truck has an airbag, I would not recommend you doing this. There are special procedures for removing the airbag module without danger of accidental deployment.