Horn stopped working again!

[83GMC]

Hello,

I'm new hear and to the older trucks. I acquired a Metallic Blue '83 GMC High Sierra Reg-Cab SWB from my Aunt. It needs work, but it's only used for a "Point A to B" vehicle right now. After I got the truck, the horn needed fixing (among some other small things) to get it inspected by the State of Texas. My Uncle bought a dash mount horn button when he had the truck, but never put it in. I thought it would be best to replace the factory one and not cut any holes in the dash or do any new electrical for the new horn. I found Chevy Duty and bought the white plastic contact plate and a new pin and spring. After figuring out how everything went, my Brother and I got the horn to work.

After a month, maybe more of truck uses, the horn stopped working again. I wouldn't think the new parts are broke. I hate to sound lazy, but could anyone please give me an idea to what could be causing the problem before I take the steering wheel apart? That's a lot of parts to go throught to get to the horn contact plate. Would engaging the steering wheel lock everytime I park the truck have anything to do with it?

Thanks for any help or ideas.

[82c10]

check the fuse, i don't know if engaging th steering wheel lock could do that

[83GMC]

I checked the fuse and it was infact blown. I replaced it, but the horn still doesn't work. Since this weekend is three days (with chance of rain), I'll check it out some more and may have time to go ahead and take the steering wheel off. I'll check the new fuse out and see if it's still good. When I put it in, it sparked a little when the fuse touched the socket. If it's blown too, I'll just disconnect the battery before I put in another one.

Are there two types of 20 Amp flat-fuses? I noticed that some of the older ones have a bigger head. The new ones, like the one I put in, have a thinner head.

Thanks again!

[82c10]

mine did that to and i replaced it again and it still works

[k72516]

You could just go with one of these babys... the rage in France right now as I understand it.

[N2TRUX]

Get you a bumper sticker that says "Horn broke, watch for finger" that should take care of it. :m4:

If the fuse is blown, you have a direct short somewhere. Putting in another fuse will patch the problem for a short period but that's it. Try disconnecting the horn itself and put the fuse back in. If the horn is shorted internally it will take your fuse out, but more than likely your problem is in the column....

[83GMC]

lol @ k72516 and N2TRUX!

Yeah I think it is a short because the new parts I had replaced in the column are still good. I tried replacing the fuse while the battery was disconnected, but as soon as the battery was reconnected it blow the fuse out. I think I'll just forget about it because there are way too many screw-ups under the dash to mess with or know where to start. I guess that's what you get for free.

Thanks for all your guys help!

[86 GMG]

83 gmc try looking on the core support (radiator support) to check if the horns are tightend down properly a bad ground ( i think ) could cause this also????? just my .02

[86-C10-V6]

Unplug the wires connected to the horns and try another fuse, if the fuse blows again, you have a short probably in the steering column, if the fuse only blows when you connect the horn, the horn is bad.

[83GMC]

Sorry for the bump, but I wanted to acknowledge your comments.

@ 86 GMG & 86-C10-V6, i'll try both of your suggestions and let you know. It probably won't be until next weekend thought when I have time to take the truck out of commission to do it all. The alternator belt broke and was replaced this past weekend.

The horns seem to be tightly screwed to the support, but they do have a slight play when pushed. Is the support(s) plastic because that's what it seems like when you push the horn with your finger. I'll probably have to take the grill off to check and see if the ground wires are good and tight. It goes too far down to check it w/o taking off the grill.

Thanks again.