horn stuck on, how to remove airbag cover?

[JRensel]

Horn stuck on, following a county sheriff, got some dirty looks.



In reviewing all the posts, it is likely the "horn pad' which is the vinyl cover in the center of the steering wheel in which the horn buttons reside. There may be a horn relay somewhere, but not according to my shop manual and even the Dodge parts guy couldnt find one. Maybe there is one integrated into one of the power modules, I found some reference to that in other posts but it is fuzzy.



My shop manual gives little details, but after disconnecting the batteries for 1/2 hour, just two bolts behind the wheel and it the entire airbag assembly came off. there are four steel tabs on top and bottom and two on the side of the cover that do not appear to be bendable.



How do i pull off the old cover? Dont want to cut into it because you can see the airbag right beneath it. Maybe pull it apart at the center where it would split apart in an accident?



would appreciate a tip.

 

[JRensel]

All you have to do is use a flat bladed screwdriver to reach under the tabs and release the cover at all 12 tab points.



The new pad did the trick, no wonder Dodge is in the red, this truck only has 19,000 miles on it and stuff like $50 air bag covers shouldnt go bad when just sitting there.



Next job is to find a decent horn and trash the OEM wimpy ones.

 

[PJay9]

I am going to add an airhorn to supplement the OEM electric, I found one that is just a horn and compressor all in one, a Wolo 419 Badboy about $50 bucks. Now to do this I thought I'd just splice into the horn wires and connect it in line... all blow together. I finally found the horn up under the fuse panel and follwed the two wires to the horn from underneath, but couldn't find the relay. In the fuse/relay box there isn't one listed for the horn just a fuse. So if I do what I said above wiil it work? Am I splicing after the relay or is it part of the OME electric horns, damn I hope I don't need to do a whole new switch and relay thing... I hate electrical work. Any ideas or input will be appreciated! Going to call dealer in the morning and ask them where the relay is, probably no help there! THX PJ

 

[Prairie Dog]

PJay, I would just add another relay powered by the wire going to the stock horn to be safe.



Scotty

 

[PJay9]

Scotty, THX. I just got off the phone with the parts guys at my Dodge dealer as they are the ones with more info and do go and ask techs, where the service guys writers are... blank! He said the realy is part of a mass controller sysytem attahed to the fuse/relay box and there is no relay to change out... that is why I can't find a relay. PJ