Questions and Answers

Ford Horn Problem Q. I have recently purchased a 1998 Ford Contour SE, with power windows, locks, and mirrors, ABS, automatic transmission, and is a 4 cylinder. The only drawback is the horn doesn't work. I think it may be an electrical problem, but I am not experienced in this field.

If you would be ever so kind as to send me a list of things which could be the culprit of this problem, I would be grateful. Please respond as soon as possible and thanks again.

A. The horn is a basic, simple system that is pretty easy to trouble shoot. Basically it consists of a fuse, horn relay, horn switch and the horns.

The horns are located behind the front bumper to the left and right sides. The horn relay is located in the under hood relay box.

First thing to do is to check fuse F-12 (15 amp) and make sure it is good. If not replace it. If it blows as soon as you hit the horn, you have a dead short somewhere.

Check for power at the black/blue wire when the horn is pressed. There should be battery voltage and the relay should click. If not, then you have a bad horn switch of open in the wiring from the fuse to that point. Apply power to the black/blue wire at the relay. You should hear a click and the horns should sound.

If that checks out okay, apply power to the orange/yellow wire. The horns should sound. If not, then you have bad horns, an open in the circuit or a bad ground. Since it's not likely both horns went bad at the same time and the horns ground directly to the frame, I would think an open in the wire is the most likely problem.

If all of this checks out good, then it's the horn switch. I would highly recommend you take this to a dealer because testing and replacement involves deactivating the airbag. There is also a clock spring that will self destruct if you don't do things correctly.

Personally, my money is on a bad horn relay.

Additional Information provided courtesy of ALLDATA