Contents Wiring diagrams Section: Horns All sections

Horn System: Overview Saturn ION I

Horns 3 illustrations ~546 words

Horns Schematic Icons

Horns Schematic Icons Icon Icon Definition CAUTION: When performing service on or near the SIR components or the SIR wiring, the SIR system must be disabled. Refer to SIR Disabling and Enabling Zones. Failure to observe the correct procedure could cause deployment of the SIR components, personal injury, or unnecessary SIR system repairs

Scheme 1

Scheme 1: Horns Schematics

Scheme 2

Scheme 2: Horns Component Views
CalloutComponent Name
1Horn Switch
2Steering Wheel Controls - Right (K34)
3Inflatable Restraint Steering Wheel Module
4Steering Wheel Controls - Left (K34)

Scheme 3

Scheme 3
CalloutComponent Name
1Windshield Washer Fluid Pump
2Horn
3Fog Lamp - LF

Test Description

The numbers below refer to the step numbers on the diagnostic table.

  1. 4: This step tests if ground is constantly being applied to the horn relay.
  2. 5: The horn control circuit includes the horn slip ring and the horn switch. The horn slip ring and the horn switch must be tested for a short to ground when testing the relay control circuit. Refer to «Circuit Testing»(ref-196941-S24203714422005101000000) and «Wiring Repairs»(ref-196941-S18892974492005101000000) in Wiring Systems.
StepActionYesNo
1Did you perform the Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle?Go to Step 2Go to Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle in Vehicle DTC Information
2Install a scan tool. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF. With a scan tool, command the body control module (BCM) Horn Output ON and OFF. Is the horn on at all times?Go to Step 3Go to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections in Wiring Systems
3Turn OFF the ignition. Disconnect the horn relay. Is the horn on at all times?Go to Step 8Go to Step 4
4Connect a test lamp between the battery positive voltage circuit of the horn relay coil and the horn relay control circuit. Does the test lamp illuminate?Go to Step 5Go to Step 6
5IMPORTANT: The horn switch is part of the inflatable restraint steering wheel module. Refer to Inflatable Restraint Steering Wheel Module Replacement in SIR. To disable the SIR system refer to SIR Disabling and Enabling Zone 3 in SIR. Test the horn relay control circuit for a short to ground. The horn relay control circuit includes the horn slip ring and the horn switch. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems. Did you find and correct the condition?Go to Step 11Go to Step 7
6Inspect for poor connections at the horn relay. Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections and Connector Repairs in Wiring Systems. Did you find and correct the condition?Go to Step 11Go to Step 9
7Inspect for poor connections at the BCM. Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections and Connector Repairs in Wiring Systems. Did you find and correct the condition?Go to Step 11Go to Step 10
8Repair the short to voltage in the horn control circuit. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems. Did you complete the repair?Go to Step 11
9Replace the horn relay. Did you complete the replacement?Go to Step 11
10Replace the BCM. Refer to Control Module References in Computer/Integrating Systems for replacement, setup, and programming. Did you complete the replacement?Go to Step 11
11Operate the horn. Does the horn operate properly?System OKGo to Step 1
IMPORTANT
The horn switch is part of the inflatable restraint steering wheel module. Refer to Inflatable Restraint Steering Wheel Module Replacement in SIR.

Horns Always On

The numbers below refer to the step numbers on the diagnostic table.

  1. 4: This step verifies that the body control module (BCM) is providing ground to the horn relay.
  2. 5: This step tests for voltage at the battery positive voltage terminal of the horn relay coil.
  3. 7: This step tests for voltage at the battery positive voltage terminal of the horn relay switch. The HORN fuse supplies power to the battery positive voltage terminal of the horn relay switch.
  4. 15: The horns need maximum current flow to operate properly. A high resistance, greater than 0.5 ohms, in the horn control circuit or the horn ground circuit could cause operating problems with the horns. Inspect the circuits for faults that would restrict current flow.
  5. 17: The horn control circuit includes the horn slip ring and the horn switch. The horn slip ring and the horn switch must be tested for a high resistance, an open, or a short to voltage when testing the relay control circuit.
StepActionYesNo
1Did you perform the Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle?Go to Step 2Go to Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle in Vehicle DTC Information
2Depress the horn switch. Do the horns operate?Go to Step 3Go to Step 5
3Install a scan tool. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF. With a scan tool, command the body control module (BCM) Horn Output ON and OFF. Do the horns operate?Go to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections in Wiring SystemsGo to Step 4
4Test the body control module (BCM) portion of the horn relay control circuit for a high resistance or an open. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems. Did you find and correct the condition?Go to Step 24Go to Step 13
5Turn OFF the ignition. Disconnect the horn relay. Connect a test lamp between the battery positive voltage circuit of the horn relay coil and a good ground. Does the test lamp illuminate?Go to Step 6Go to Step 16
6Connect a test lamp between the battery positive voltage circuit of the horn relay coil and the horn relay control circuit. Depress and hold the horn switch. Does the test lamp illuminate?Go to Step 7Go to Step 17
7Connect a test lamp between the battery positive voltage circuit of the horn relay switch and a good ground. Does the test lamp illuminate?Go to Step 8Go to Step 18
8Momentarily connect a 15-amp fused jumper wire between the battery positive voltage circuit of the horn relay switch and the horn control circuit. Do the horns operate?Go to Step 14Go to Step 9
9Reconnect the horn relay. Disconnect the horn connector. Connect a test lamp between the horn control circuit and a good ground. Depress and hold the horn switch. Does the test lamp illuminate?Go to Step 10Go to Step 19
10Connect a test lamp between the horn control circuit and the horn ground circuit. Depress and hold the horn switch. Does the test lamp illuminate?Go to Step 11Go to Step 20
11Inspect for poor connections at the harness connector of the horn. Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections and Connector Repairs in Wiring Systems. Did you find and correct the condition?Go to Step 24Go to Step 12
12Connect a 15-amp fused jumper wire between the positive battery terminal and the control terminal of the horn. Connect another jumper wire between the negative battery terminal and the ground terminal of the horn. Does the horn operate?Go to Step 15Go to Step 23
13Inspect for poor connections at the harness connector of the BCM. Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections and Connector Repairs in Wiring Systems. Did you find and correct the condition?Go to Step 24Go to Step 21
14Inspect for poor connections at the horn relay. Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections and Connector Repairs in Wiring Systems. Did you find and correct the condition?Go to Step 24Go to Step 22
15Repair the high resistance in the horn control circuit or the horn ground circuit. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems. Did you complete the repair?Go to Step 24
16Repair the open or high resistance in the battery positive voltage circuit of the horn relay coil. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems. Did you complete the repair?Go to Step 24
17IMPORTANT: The horn switch is part of the inflatable restraint steering wheel module. Refer to Inflatable Restraint Steering Wheel Module Replacement in SIR. To disable the SIR system, refer to SIR Disabling and Enabling Zone 3 in SIR. Repair the open or short to voltage in the horn relay control circuit. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems. Did you complete the repair?Go to Step 24
18Repair the open or high resistance in the battery positive voltage circuit of the horn relay switch. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems. Did you complete the repair?Go to Step 24
19Repair the open or high resistance in the horn control circuit. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems. Did you complete the repair?Go to Step 24
20Repair the open or high resistance in the horn ground circuit. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems. Did you complete the repair?Go to Step 24
21Replace the BCM. Refer to Control Module References in Computer/Integrating Systems for replacement, setup, and programming. Did you complete the replacement?Go to Step 24
22Replace the horn relay. Refer to Relay Replacement (Within an Electrical Center) or Relay Replacement (Attached to Wire Harness) in Wiring Systems. Did you complete the replacement?Go to Step 24
23Replace the horn assembly. Refer to Horn Replacement . Did you complete the replacement?Go to Step 24
24Operate the horn. Does the horn operate properly?System OKGo to Step 1
IMPORTANT
The horn switch is part of the inflatable restraint steering wheel module. Refer to Inflatable Restraint Steering Wheel Module Replacement in SIR.

Horns Inoperative

Horns - Poor Tone

StepActionYesNo
1Did you perform the Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle?Go to Step 2Go to Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle in Vehicle DTC Information
2Depress the horn switch. Does the horn have a harsh tone or buzzing?Go to Step 3Go to Symptoms - Horns
3Test the horn mounting hardware for adequate torque. The hardware should be tightened to 10 N.m (7 lb ft). Inspect the horn for debris in the joint where the horn attaches to the vehicle. Did you find and correct the condition?Go to Step 7Go to Step 4
4Disconnect the horn assembly. Connect a 15-amp fused jumper wire between the positive battery terminal and the control terminal of the horn assembly. Connect another jumper wire between the negative battery terminal and the ground terminal of the horn assembly. Does the horn assembly have a harsh tone or buzzing?Go to Step 6Go to Step 5
5Repair the high resistance in the horn control circuit or the horn ground circuit. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems. Did you complete the repair?Go to Step 7
6Replace the horn. Refer to Horn Replacement . Did you complete the replacement?Go to Step 7
7Operate the horn. Does the horn operate properly?System OKGo to Step 1

Horns - Poor Tone

System Description

The horn system consists of the following components

  1. HORN fuse
  2. Horn relay
  3. Horn slip ring
  4. Horn switch
  5. Horn assembly
  6. Body Control Module (BCM)

System Operation

The vehicle horn system is activated under the following conditions

  1. The horn switch is depressed.
  2. The body control module (BCM) commands the horns on. The BCM commands the horns on under any of the following conditions: When the panic button is depressed on the remote control door lock transmitter. For further information refer to «Keyless Entry System Description and Operation»(ref-196959-S22174068142005101000000) in Keyless Entry. When the keyless entry system is used to lock the vehicle, a horn chirp may sound to notify the driver that the vehicle has been locked. The notification feature may be enabled or disabled through personalization. For further information refer to «Keyless Entry System Description and Operation»(ref-196959-S22174068142005101000000) in Keyless Entry.

Circuit Operation

Battery positive voltage is applied at all times to the horn relay coil and the horn relay switch. Pressing the horn switch applies ground to the horn relay control circuit. The BCM may also apply ground to the horn relay control circuit as described above. When the horn relay control circuit is grounded, the horn relay is energized and battery positive voltage is applied to the horns through the horn control circuit. The horns sound as long as ground is applied to the horn relay control circuit.