Where are my horns??

[Jwskj]

I'm trying to modify my horn electrical circuit and I can't locate my horns (2016 CTD).
In my previous truck (2011 CTD), the horns were located just behind and near the top of the radiator, easy to spot and access.
In the 2016, I've looked in all of the logical places but they don't want to be found.
Anybody have a clue as to where they might be located??

 

[Deleted member 995608]

Have your wife stick her head in the engine compartment and give her a quick toot of the horn

 

[Bob4x4]

The horns are under the driver side fender liner.That being said be very careful about modding any electrical accessories.Mistakes get very expensive with all the electronic modules that are used

 

[Jwskj]

Thanks for the responses.
I did try listening at the front of the truck with the hood open and used the key fob to try to locate the sound source, but the horn sound was too loud and sharp to get a fix on it.
I'll remove the fender liner to locate them so that I can get the access that I need.
I appreciate the warning, and I understand the danger associated with messing with the electrical modules, but I only want to acquire and use the signal which has worked on my previous trucks.
On my previous trucks, I used the horn activation as a signal to activate control relays.
I added air horns and used a switch to select either the factory electric horns or the air horns.
This allows me to continue using the steering wheel horn button to blow whichever horns I have selected and not have to add a separate horn button just for air horns.
The horn signal controls the activation of the relays and directs the factory signal to either the electric horns or directs a separate power source to the air horn solenoids.
I typically used separate air solenoids for the horns on each side of the truck (2 horns per side...4 horns total).
Typically the factory horns are used around home and the air horns are used on the highway.
There's something totally appropriate to having air horns on a decent sized pick-up.
Thanks again for the help!

 

[buntster]

This is how i set up the air horns on my '03, with a three-position switch under the dash. I liked having a center "no horn" option, so I wasn't accidentally bumping the horn when I used the steering wheel as a desk.

Haven't even started chasing such options on my 2015, but am considering the same arrangement at some point in the future. Let us know how yours comes together in the end.

I too am a bit worried about tapping the circuits on these newer trucks based on what I've read about the TIPM and its inherent distaste for us shade-tree engineers.

On a somewhat separate note, I've noticed a huge relay-delay in my 2015's horn button...makes it darn near impossible to give a friendly tap of the horn-- by the time it finally blows, it's a longer blast than I necessarily want to give off...is it just me?

 

[Damage-Case]

On a somewhat separate note, I've noticed a huge relay-delay in my 2015's horn button...makes it darn near impossible to give a friendly tap of the horn-- by the time it finally blows, it's a longer blast than I necessarily want to give off...is it just me?

Nope, not just you - drives me crazy for the same reasons (2016 3500). Cruising through your neighborhood and a friendly neighbor thinks you're snubbing them for not giving him/her a tap of the horn after they've waved to you. When in reality, you're doing the equivalent of a drum solo on the horn pad just to get it to blow. Or like you mention, having to press so long on it that it's no longer a friendly tap, and when it does blow... it's a ****** off foghorn and you're the captain of the ship

I know, I know. If this is all I have on my small list of things to complain about, well then....
I'm just glad - It's not just ME...LOL
As a side-observation it has always seemed to work without fail when I'm ****** #@$%! or need to remind someone that a dually is in the lane next to them right before they enter into it.

 

[buntster]

I know, I know. If this is all I have on my small list of things to complain about, well then....
I'm just glad - It's not just ME...LOL

You're right about that...when we're fussing about horn taps, the trucks aren't doing too bad.

And the "yay it's not just me" factor is one of my favorite perks about these forums...I get to wondering if I'm over thinking things and sometimes I'm not.

 

[TFucili]

On a somewhat separate note, I've noticed a huge relay-delay in my 2015's horn button...makes it darn near impossible to give a friendly tap of the horn-- by the time it finally blows, it's a longer blast than I necessarily want to give off...is it just me?

Yup, very, very annoying. I am not a big horn user, but sometimes on my way home from work my buddy will be leaving his place, and I'll give a "toot". Not anymore. When it takes three modules to blow the darn horn I think we have gone too far.

 

[Kirwin]

Anyone got any tips on removing the drivers side wheel liner? I've got my passenger one down to just a few minutes. Haven't had reason to remove the driver's side one yet, but need to to replace my shocks this weekend.

 

[Ram4Sam]

Yup, very, very annoying. I am not a big horn user, but sometimes on my way home from work my buddy will be leaving his place, and I'll give a "toot". Not anymore. When it takes three modules to blow the darn horn I think we have gone too far.

If it's any consolation..... they fixed this on the 2016 trucks.........

Sam

 

[gsbrockman]

Anyone got any tips on removing the drivers side wheel liner? I've got my passenger one down to just a few minutes. Haven't had reason to remove the driver's side one yet, but need to to replace my shocks this weekend.

Removal of the wheel well liner isn't needed for shock replacement on your truck; been there / done that.

 

[buntster]

If it's any consolation..... they fixed this on the 2016 trucks.........

Sam

I wonder what the "fix" is...something in some obscure programming, or just a faster set of relays down the line?

I haven't taken the first look at mine yet to see what it might be...

 

[Kirwin]

Removal of the wheel well liner isn't needed for shock replacement on your truck; been there / done that.

So how did you reach the upper nut on the front shocks?

 

[gsbrockman]

So how did you reach the upper nut on the front shocks?

As best I recall.....there's enough wiggle room with the wheel well liner installed to still access the nuts.

 

[ChrisOlson]

You're right about that...when we're fussing about horn taps, the trucks aren't doing too bad.

And the "yay it's not just me" factor is one of my favorite perks about these forums...I get to wondering if I'm over thinking things and sometimes I'm not.

what they said ^^^^^

 

[Kirwin]

I couldn't get to the upper shock nuts without removing the wheel liners. 3 christmas tree fasteners on the drivers side, remove all the 5/16" screws from the wheel well fender flare ( you don't nee to remove the one christians tree fastener that is in the fender flare) and 2 other 5/16" screws in the top of the liner and maneuver it out of there. I will replace the christians tree fasteners with 5/16" self tapping body bolts so its easier to remove next time like I did on the passengers side. There is a little trick as the metal fender has a lip with holes that goes between the fender flare and the wheel liner to make a sandwich so the "nuts" that are molded into the liner hold it all together, Including that, that the job was about 2 hours. Rear shocks, both less that 25 minutes.

As best I recall.....there's enough wiggle room with the wheel well liner installed to still access the nuts.