Expert: Roland Finston - 10/7/2011

Question
Hi, I'm working on our son's 1996 Chrysler Cirrus with a 2.5 v-6 engine. The car has been sitting for two years. Everything worked well when I parked the car. I was checking out the horn prior to getting a safety inspection and new license when I found the horn would not blow at all. I first checked the fuses under the hood and they are all fine. Next I checked the fuses at the end of the dashboard, on the driver's side and they are all fine. I decided to remove the 20 amp fuse for the horn (it's labeled #8 on dashboard fuse panel)to inspect it closer. To my surprise, when I replaced the fuse the horn began to honk continuously, and will only stop if I remove the same 20 amp fuse. I've driven the car and turned the wheel both directions to the limits with the fuse removed, but when I replace the 20 amp fuse the horn always blows continuously.

I would add that the horn does not blow intermittently like when the alarm sounds. Not quite sure were to begin but I was suspect something has stuck in the steering wheel.

Any help would be greatly appreciated as our son needs this car for college.

Thanks.

Answer
Hi Chris,
Try the horn relay to possibly be flaky. It is located in the fuse box at the left end of the dash, the lower of the two forward relays. You could switch it out with the headlamp delay relay just above it to see if that solves the problem, they appear to be identical in pins but be sure the numbers are identical. It could be the relay is stuck closed.
Roland
PS Sorry for the delay but I just found your question in the 'pool' to which it had been referred by Kevin.