2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Horn button on 1998.5 - can't honk??

[MJudd]

Ever since it was new, the horn button on my 1998. 5 24v has been hard to push. It takes both hand pushing with a temenedous amount of force to get this thing to work. If I was ever in any emergency situation, I would not be able to get this thing to work quickly enough. Has anyone else had this problem??

 

[Rattler]

Sounds just like my 99.

 

[jdooner]

Don't feel bad... mine won't stop honking

 

[sg5054]

My horn has never really worked. Now for the solution... ... The local dealer says that they don't sell the cover with the horn switch. You have to buy the cover AND the air bag!. Got $700. 00!!. I tried the junkyards and they won't sell the cover either. Now your screwed. I'm gonna put in an air horn I think with a switch on the shift.

 

[jdooner]

The airhorn might be the way to go, there's one in my garage waiting for me. I've got a clockspring for mine that'll get put in tomorrow, if that doesn't cure the darn thing from going off a 5:30AM then it's airhorn for sure. The only other thing it could be(imho) is the horn switch. On page 8M-8 in the service manual there's a drawing of the horn switch if you're interested, doesn't show much tho.

98. 5, built auto,1. 5s, Comp, 4"exh, superB, catcher. . soon to be Smartied, Eclipse, mbquart.

 

[LHastings]

My don't work in a panic situation when you use the heel of your hand but if you just push on the horn emblem with your thumb it works okay. Who has the time in and emergency to look for the right spot to push.

 

[sg5054]

People sure look at you strange as you are hammering away at your steering wheel while cursing at the idiot in front of you and not making a sound... ... .

 

[MJudd]

Sounds like this is a common problem..... why hasn't uncle Sam stepped on Diamler/Chrysler's toes and forced them to make a recall? This isn't simply inconvient, it's plain dangerous to drive one of these.



I don't know why I didn't take the thing back while it was still under warrantee... $700 is rediculous.

 

[sg5054]

I don't know why there isn't a recall either??? I can't get an inspection without it and I'm due in June.

 

[sg5054]

Who knows how to set up one of these polls that I keep seeing? I'd like to know just how many of us have this problem and the model year range. Not how you fixed it but just that the button/pad doesn't work.

Could someone help with this?

 

[jdooner]

Replaced the clockspring today and it didn't solve the honking honking problem. Called the ******* here in town, the only way I could get the horn switch was to buy the airbag and clockspring. Tomorrow I'll try the wrecking yard up the street, they're a ripoff too so I'll probably end up with some kind of 'custom' switch. Balls!

 

[sg5054]

Thank you for setting up the poll.

 

[sg5054]

I want to file a complaint with the NHTSA about the horns. That's why I want to see the count. If you haven't, please do and if you did thanks.

sg

 

[The patriot]

My 98 12 valve has been like that since day one.

I've had it to the dealer while under warranty and they wouldnt do anything. #@$%!

 

[MJudd]

Report this to NHTSA?

Hey SG5054... . Are you actually going to contact the NHTSA and report this? If so, please keep us posted on what you find out!! Thanks!!

 

[robert4570]

My 99 on the test drive it was difficult to work. Never was easy to use and forget in an emergency when some one cuts you off, mine was useless.

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

I have owned both a '98 24-valve and now a '98 12-valve. The horns were very difficult on both of them. Tooting the horn was easy on my '01. I have thought about scaring up a '01 or '02 steering wheel to swap out, but not sure how hard that would be to do. Something I'd rather not tackle myself!

 

[DNewell]

People sure look at you strange as you are hammering away at your steering wheel while cursing at the idiot in front of you and not making a sound... ... .

Amen brotha!!! I did this just the other day, felt like a complete moron. I'm thinking of getting a couple of transbrake buttons to wrap onto the steering wheel right above the posts extending out to the actual wheel part. One could be put on each side to make a contact point if either were pushed. Connect up a huge air horn and blast away!!!

 

[tp0d]

Ahem...



Ebay has great deals on this stuff, usually with warranty.



My brother-in-law's 99 cutlass had the same problem when he punched the snot out of his horn for some apparent reason (i dunno). He`s not mechanically inclined, or computer inclined, so I found him a replacement airbag/horn module for $17. He got lucky on that one. Replaced the airbag/horn assy and works great now.



linky for ya



http://search.ebay.com/search/searc...1&from=R8&satitle=dodge+ram+airbag&category0=



-j