C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

horn @ vats

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Nov 29, 2008 | 11:32 PM
  #1  
86contractor's Avatar
86contractor
Thread Starter
2nd Gear
 
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Default horn @ vats

need help on my 86 horns dont work have tested them they r ok but when i push the horn button security lite comes on any advice or help would be appreciated
Reply
Old Nov 30, 2008 | 12:33 AM
  #2  
jimg's'93's Avatar
jimg's'93
Drifting
 
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,324
Likes: 5
From: Charlotte NC
Default

Had that happen on mine. Turned out the horns themselves were oxidized and wouldn't sound off when a short burst was given to them, but would work fine when I used them normally from the wheel. I replaced the horns and all is well.

May not be your situation, but that's my 2 cents.
Reply
Old Nov 30, 2008 | 08:52 AM
  #3  
AGENT 86's Avatar
AGENT 86
Team Owner
20 Year Member
Active Streak: 30 Days
Active Streak: 60 Days
Active Streak: 90 Days
 
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,343
Likes: 264
From: Summerland B.C. Canada
Default

Is the horn relay OK ??

http://members.shaw.ca/agent86/Horn%20Electrical.pdf




http://members.shaw.ca/dankai/Vats%20Electrical.pdf
Reply
Old Nov 30, 2008 | 02:56 PM
  #4  
MrRenoman's Avatar
MrRenoman
Melting Slicks
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,384
Likes: 124
From: Reno/Sparks Nevada
Default

Obviously, you should check the horn fuse first. You didn't mention if the alarm system works. You mentioned you tested the horns, I assume you applied 12 volts directly to them to test them. You can test the alarm system and relay by opening the door, rolling the windows down, locking the doors with the power door locks, close the door, then reach in and manually unlock the door and open it. This should cause the alarm to activiate and pulse the horns on and off. Hopefully it works, If it doesn't then it could be the relay or the alarm system. You can also check the relay by removing the horn cap and checking the horn wire and contact wire. Try grounding the horn cap yellow wire to see if the horn honks. If it doesn't then I'd go after the horn relay. Removing the radio trim plate to access the horn relay is the only way to get to it. Before buying a new relay, you can do some metering at the relay connector by unplugging the relay. Check for 12 volts at the pink wire. If no power then check for continuity between the fuse and the pink wire at the relay connector. If that's good then jumper the pink wire to the green wire. This bypasses the relay and applies 12 volts directly to the horns. If this doesn't work, you could have an open between the relay and the horns. Check for continuity between the green wire of the relay connector and the green wire at the horns. If it's good then you may have an open on the black wire from the relay connector to the steering column. Try grounding the black wire with the relay plugged in and see if the horn works. If it does then your problem is on the black wire circuit to the horn button. You could also have a open on the black wire from the relay to the horn slip ring contact or the slip ring contact and or the spring wire in the horn area is bad or open. As you can see the only way to fix this is to test with a meter for voltage and continuity before going out and buying a new relay. But for what it costs it may be less time consuming to just buy a new relay. But I hate throwing money at the car since this what everyone dreads. Anyway, good luck.

Art

Last edited by MrRenoman; Nov 30, 2008 at 03:04 PM.
Reply
Old Dec 1, 2008 | 01:20 AM
  #5  
josephf31's Avatar
josephf31
Pro
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 579
Likes: 2
From: High Bridge New Jersey
Default Also

Originally Posted by 86contractor
need help on my 86 horns dont work have tested them they r ok but when i push the horn button security lite comes on any advice or help would be appreciated
You will have to pull the steering wheel but the connector "stack" plastic piece under the lock ring could be broken, very common issue on GM columns, under $10 for the replacement part
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To horn @ vats





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 02:15 PM.

story-0
10 Corvettes to Drive Before You Die!

Slideshow: 10 Corvettes to drive before you die.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-23 08:31:12


VIEW MORE
story-1
Corvette & Porsche 911: How Two Icons Conquered the Last 25 Years

Slideshow: Corvette and Porsche 911, how two icons conquered the last 25 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-23 08:18:33


VIEW MORE
story-2
2027 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 First Look: Everything You NEED to Know!

Slideshow: Is the 2027 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 the best Silverado yet?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-16 08:01:12


VIEW MORE
story-3
5 Best & 5 Worst Corvette Daily Drivers

Slideshow: 5 best and 5 worst Corvette daily drivers

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-15 10:32:13


VIEW MORE
story-4
The Headlights of Every Corvette Generation Explained

Slideshow: The headlights of every Corvette generation explained

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-15 10:17:14


VIEW MORE
story-5
5 Best & 5 Most Overrated Corvette Track Packages of All Time!

Slideshow: The 5 best and 5 most overrated Corvette track packages ever.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 12:46:45


VIEW MORE
story-6
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained

Slideshow: Every 2027 Corvette engine explained

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 12:16:31


VIEW MORE
story-7
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette

Slideshow: A Jaguar designer's personal project imagines what a modern front-engined Corvette might look like if Chevrolet revisited the golden age of the Stingray.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-08 19:53:43


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-9
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE