Car back from body shop - horn buttons don't work

[MuRCieLaGo]

Hi guys,

I just had my 1991 back from a respray. They forgot to connect both hood lights - easy fix, I just plugged them. However, both horn buttons don't work. Both horns are connected.

They were both working fine before I sent the car out.

But it does work when anti-theft engages.

I removed the air bag and tried to cheat around to get the horn buttons working, without any luck.

Am I missing something?

EDIT: I removed both horn buttons, played around a little bit... And now everything works fine. I do not understand why.

[ZWILD1]

When I got my 91 two years ago the horns didn't work when pressing the horn. I set the vehicle alarm and the horns worked. I went on good ole YouTube and found a video on the C4 horns. All I had to do is remove the buttons by pulling them off. To remove them you pull them towards you by prying them back at the top of the button. Then underneath you will find a copper strip and under that strip is the contacts. I used some fine sandpaper to clean the contact area under the copper strip. It has a little pin in the center that makes contact. Just be careful removing the horn buttons. They have plastic poles that press against the copper strips. If you break them you will have to get new buttons. They are easily found new and used on eBay.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=RVFSKij8JsM&t=259s

[MuRCieLaGo]

When I got my 91 two years ago the horns didn't work when pressing the horn. I set the vehicle alarm and the horns worked. I went on good ole YouTube and found a video on the C4 horns. All I had to do is remove the buttons by pulling them off. To remove them you pull them towards you by prying them back at the top of the button. Then underneath you will find a copper strip and under that strip is the contacts. I used some fine sandpaper to clean the contact area under the copper strip. It has a little pin in the center that makes contact. Just be careful removing the horn buttons. They have plastic poles that press against the copper strips. If you break them you will have to get new buttons. They are easily found new and used on eBay.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=RVFSKij8JsM&t=259s

Alright that's the video I watched. I broke a pin on the right horn button while removing it, I'll have to buy some epoxy tomorrow.

I'm a bit skeptical though, both horn buttons quit working at the same time? Hmmm!

Thanks for your help!

[lfalzarano]

Superglue fixed my right side horn button...


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[Young1]

I did repair a horn button with JB Weld. I built it up over a few days and then filed back in the notch/hook that had snapped off. Or one can spend 35.00 on eBay. I like the challenge of being cheap!

[ZWILD1]

I was a bit skeptical at first. My contacts didn't look at all corroded. After a few passes with the fine sandpaper it was working fine. Now that I recall I think both started to work after I did one side. I still took the other side apart and hit it with the paper. I repaired my console lid button after it broke and I use it as a spare. I used gorilla CA and you can't really see the repair.

[MuRCieLaGo]

So, as expected... Problem is not from the horn buttons. I still sanded the contacts with 800 grit. There's something wrong with that cable I'm pretty sure. But I don't know how it works. I've seen something about a broken plastic retainer?

https://scontent-yyz1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/s960x960/93409542_10163715665450221_3083760946292719616_o.j pg?_nc_cat=109&_nc_sid=8024bb&_nc_ohc=WUjnP1i4244AX-VRjXP&_nc_ht=scontent-yyz1-1.xx&_nc_tp=7&oh=743c7cdb94d1cb4f962690f510e2cfaa&oe=5EC11FCB

[Mystic ZR-1]

That spring thingy was what was wrong with my horn.
Gordon pointed me to it and he was right, of course.

[MuRCieLaGo]

That spring thingy was what was wrong with my horn.
Gordon pointed me to it and he was right, of course.

Do you have any clue how to fix it? I don't even know how it is supposed to be/if it is broken...

[Vette Guy]

That side doesn't look broken. It should ever so lightly twist into the connector receptacle down in the center of the steering column. It's been years since I fixed mine, so I'm providing my best recollection. I'm searching for a photo for where it should be connected....

Only found one for a C5, but the idea is the same.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-m4wLrJPSJCU/VBtVQydoWyI/AAAAAAAANQo/XR-X03Ehry4/s1280/20140917_155941.jpg

[MuRCieLaGo]

That side doesn't look broken. It should ever so lightly twist into the connector receptacle down in the center of the steering column. It's been years since I fixed mine, so I'm providing my best recollection. I'm searching for a photo for where it should be connected....

Only found one for a C5, but the idea is the same.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-m4wLrJPSJCU/VBtVQydoWyI/AAAAAAAANQo/XR-X03Ehry4/s1280/20140917_155941.jpg

I know the cable goes into the hole but something has to be preventing it from coming out... I really don't know.

[ZWILD1]

You really need to pickup a copy of the GM FSM and the 8A electrical section booklet that contains all the cars electrical schematics. I had a situation with my 77 Trans Am tilt wheel. The guts are pretty much the same. The horn plugged in the same way. I took a picture of a couple pages out of the FSM. I need to get section 8-A myself.

[ZWILD1]

Sorry about the two pics. I rotated them and they flipped back when I posted them. In figure 5 part 7 is the part that the horn spring goes into. This maintains contact as you turn the steering wheel through it's full motion. Section 8-A really gets into the possible wiring issues. The owner of my car had one but was moving and couldn't find it. He gave me a complete Service Manual set on CD but I can't get it to come up on my pc. Hope the views of the column help out. The basic function was the same on my 77 T/A. They haven't really changed that much from then to our 90-95 cars.

[Vette Guy]

The connector has a ‘tab’ on the side, which should insert into the ‘key way’, once it bottoms out in the receptacle, gently twist it clockwise so the nub or tab goes into a retaining slot - similar to an automotive bulb.


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[MuRCieLaGo]

The connector has a ‘tab’ on the side, which should insert into the ‘key way’, once it bottoms out in the receptacle, gently twist it clockwise so the nub or tab goes into a retaining slot - similar to an automotive bulb.


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Alright that's the information I was looking for!

I found the problem. The clip is broken. The broken piece was still laying there when I removed the steering wheel. I'm confident it could be glued, if only I knew how to remove it... Do you guys think it's safe to remove that retaining clip? The big sticker kind of scares me.

https://scontent-yyz1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/94229986_10163719361270221_8049294657219198976_n.j pg?_nc_cat=110&_nc_sid=8024bb&_nc_ohc=4SD2zqmNjEMAX-fUdsR&_nc_ht=scontent-yyz1-1.xx&oh=2cf38554c5124e2a4cc5b8b62e6d16ca&oe=5EC44FF8
https://scontent-yyz1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/93958662_10163719358180221_4894389330014896128_n.j pg?_nc_cat=109&_nc_sid=8024bb&_nc_ohc=EFIGq7vJrZQAX9L4_97&_nc_ht=scontent-yyz1-1.xx&oh=18c2cb2294d91949f9da902382e8e92a&oe=5EC37397

[Vette Guy]

Can you use a set of tweezers and carefully gel superglue it in place?


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[MuRCieLaGo]

Can you use a set of tweezers and carefully gel superglue it in place?


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Haha, I thought about it! It's very tempting, but pretty risky too. There's not much room. I'm lucky enough to have the broken piece in hand...

EDIT: Alright, I manage to glue it in place. I'm going to put a second coat of glue tomorrow morning. Hopefully it'll be good!

https://scontent-yyz1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/s960x960/94038625_10163719622270221_7215563937956233216_o.j pg?_nc_cat=105&_nc_sid=8024bb&_nc_ohc=g2DNFwGtwGEAX-2bFmm&_nc_ht=scontent-yyz1-1.xx&_nc_tp=7&oh=08c171deaa9a90967945a3b2a6042ac7&oe=5EC421C2

[Vette Guy]

Keep us posted!


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[MuRCieLaGo]

Keep us posted!


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Thanks for asking,

I used Permatex Plastic Welder. It worked for 1 day, then it failed again. I glued it again and I also glued the black plastic part to the (broken) retainer. Hopefully it'll work this time.

[GOLDCYLON]

So the plastic cam nub is broken off. It needs to make constant contact so push in an very small wedge a slither of wood or paper in the hole to retain it into position. It’s the ghetto method but it works, GC

[MuRCieLaGo]

So the plastic cam nub is broken off. It needs to make constant contact so push in an very small wedge a slither of wood or paper in the hole to retain it into position. It’s the ghetto method but it works, GC

So simple haha, I'll give the glue one more chance then I'll try that! Will post a picture if I fix it that way!

[Corvette95]

How about cutting a straw and slip it over the broken shaft and glue it OR taking heat shrink wrap insert the connector and shrink the wrap over the shaft?

[MuRCieLaGo]

How about cutting a straw and slip it over the broken shaft and glue it OR taking heat shrink wrap insert the connector and shrink the wrap over the shaft?

It would need to be a pretty big straw! And heat shrink wrap... I'm not sure it would be able to handle the constant spring pressure!

I just went for a 20 miles ride in town now, horn still works. To be continued.

[garyhugo]

You should be good for awhile. I used a tooth pick about 7 or so years ago and the horn still works. I've since then bought the plastic piece but don't want to tear the steering wheel down far enough to replace it until I need to.

[Mystic ZR-1]

You should be good for awhile. I used a tooth pick about 7 or so years ago and the horn still works. I've since then bought the plastic piece but don't want to tear the steering wheel down far enough to replace it until I need to.

Now that you mention it, and reminded me, I fixed mine in the same way. Jammed a small piece of scrap plastic in the hole to hold it. Been working fine for several years now.

[GOLDCYLON]

Once again my point....the method is simple and it works. GC :cheers:

[GOLDCYLON]

So simple haha, I'll give the glue one more chance then I'll try that! Will post a picture if I fix it that way!

Yep it’s that easy :cheers:

[Corvette95]

This thread was never updated!!! It also jinxed me. Putting the wheel back on the 90. I see that someone had crimped a new wire in it before. Dorman makes an exact fit replacement part # 49319

[MuRCieLaGo]

This thread was never updated!!! It also jinxed me. Putting the wheel back on the 90. I see that someone had crimped a new wire in it before. Dorman makes an exact fit replacement part # 49319

Well, personally I've got lucky to still get the broken part. 3 layers of glue did the trick, I used the horn on the highway yesterday again and everything is good!