2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Horn Fuse

[av8r]

I need a little help, here. The 20A fuse for my horn keeps blowing out.



I can replace it and get a functioning horn for a while and then it pops on it's own later. (While truck is shut down and put away in the barn. )





Is there a pinch point or some other place in the harness I should look for?





Help!

 

[Grizzly]

You obviously have a short somewhere. Trace all your wiring and connections starting from the horn itself and work toward the steering wheel.

 

[Matt42]

If the horn turned itself on during the night, when the truck is tucked away, could you hear it? There's an occasional problem with the cute little horn buttons on the 94-96 models. They stick, and when stuck part way, can make contact as the temperatures cool off at night. I solved the problem with mine by lubricating them at every other oil change with good (CRC or Johnsen's) silicone spray.

Your problem is likely different, though.

 

[av8r]

Thanks for the thought on the horn buttons, I don't think that's it, though. the barn is 150 yards from the house, but I think I'd hear the horn and the batteries aren't dead.



I have not dug into this, yet, is there a relay in the horn circuit? If so, are these known to be a source for a short?

 

[Matt42]

There is a horn relay. Off the top of my head, I can't recall where. Likely in the fuse box under the hood. I've never had one short out. I did have the relay on a 1971 Gremlin stick "on. " Fortunately, the horn was terribly anemic. I fixed the relay and the anemic horn immediately.

 

[av8r]

I replaced the fuse (again), plugged in both horns, then unplugged the relay (right next to the fuse in the underhood electrical box ).



This should (hopefully) tell me if the relay is shorting somewhere causing the fuse to bow. I can't see any issues with the wiring, but the inspection I made was not extremely detailed. The harness looked fine with no pinch points or mouse houses...

 

[av8r]

I thought I would give my fix to this, since it may be more common than I thought...



The horn fuse is tied to the A/C compressor clutch somehow. When I had my A/C compressor replaced the horn fuse issue went away.