2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee horn switch malfunction in the airbag unit - can it be fixed?
In the last few months, I had 3 or 4 incidents when the horn would sound continuously and I had to tap the switch (in the airbag area) a couple times to get it to stop. Finally, it went off spontaneously and I couldn't get it to shut off at all without pulling the fuse. I'm driving it now without a horn and would like to get it fixed. My mechanic said that about all he could do was to get an entire junk assembly for $800-$1000 and replace the switch. I'd like to investigate it further before dropping that kind of money into it. Can I safely remove that center console on the steering wheel, and I assume that means removing the airbag assembly, to see if the switch can be repaired? Can I just buy a new switch, which I assume is some kind of diaphram? Any ideas on how to get my horn back for under $1000?
Thanks! With the help of these diagrams, I disabled the airbag electrically. Then I took off the airbag unit, took off the plastic airbag cover, and replaced the horn switch with a new $20-$30 part. It fits in a little pocket of the airbag fabric. (very interesting how these things are made) I reassembled everything, reconnected the battery terminals, replaced the horn fuse that I had removed the the horn worked fine.
Problem solved. Thanks.Thanks! With the help of these diagrams, I disabled the airbag electrically. Then I took off the airbag unit, took off the plastic airbag cover, and replaced the horn switch with a new $20-$30 part. It fits in a little pocket of the airbag fabric. (very interesting how these things are made) I reassembled everything, reconnected the battery terminals, replaced the horn fuse that I had removed the the horn worked fine.
I have had this happen to me 4 times. The first time we removed the fuse and replaced it later with no problems. A few months later it happened again. We pulled the fuse to stop the horn and then had the switch replaced. A few months later it happened again. This time we had the entire horn replaced and today it happened again. It usually has happened when it was parked and I was at work. It would just go off by itself and was one long continuous honk. Today when it happened I had just parked it at work and was listening to the radio with the Jeep still running and the horn went off. I had to pull the fuse out to stop it. I really don't know what else to do since we have replaced the switch and the entire horn with the same thing happening again. Any help would be appreciated.I have had this happen to me 4 times. The first time we removed the fuse and replaced it later with no problems. A few months later it happened again. We pulled the fuse to stop the horn and then had the switch replaced. A few months later it happened again. This time we had the entire horn replaced and today it happened again. It usually has happened when it was parked and I was at work. It would just go off by itself and was one long continuous honk. Today when it happened I had just parked it at work and was listening to the radio with the Jeep still running and the horn went off. I had to pull the fuse out to stop it. I really don't know what else to do since we have replaced the switch and the entire horn with the same thing happening again. Any help would be appreciated.
You can't post conmments that contain an email address.
- If you need clarification, ask it in the comment box above.
- Better answers use proper spelling and grammar.
- Provide details, support with references or personal experience.
Tell us some more! Your answer needs to include more details to help people.You can't post answers that contain an email address.Please enter a valid email address.The email address entered is already associated to an account.Login to postPlease use English characters only.
Tip: The max point reward for answering a question is 15.
you havn't mentioned year but a "G" switch is a mercury filled sensor used in the braking system see attachments ( hopefully).Disconnect the battery , once located and removed DO NOT attempt to open up the component , place in a metal container and take to be recycled , mercury is very toxic , there is only ONE component the schematic shows the usual locations Removal Procedure for 1993-2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee:
Fold the rear seat assembly forward and roll back the carpeting to gain access to the sensor.
The problem is caused by the Airbag Module that contains the Horn button contacts is warped from heat, this causes the horn to sound, you must replace the Airbag on the steering wheel to correct this, Refer to disarming instructions for the Airbag, it can be very dangerous as it is an explosive device.
If the abs light is on and the horn does not work generally it's due to a broken "clockspring" in the column. You can replace that but definitely need a haynes or chlton manual to use as a guide. If you do the repair without instructions or don't follow them exactly, the air bag can deploy in your face (hurts a lot....dangerous). If only the horn isn't working, I'd get another opinion before allowing anyone to do the job. The clockspring and airbag are separate items and I don't see a reason to be replacing the airbag (unless the dealer found something I'm unaware of, but I doubt it).
To Larry Crowley,
Did you ever correct the problem to your 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee and did you in fact determine that the problem was in fact the Body Control Module (BCM)?
I too have a 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee Ltd with 162,000 miles. Up until just a few months ago, I never had any major problems with the car however in early December one evening the car was turned off and parked in my garage and the horn just went off out of nowhere, a solid horn...it was deafening! We unplugged the battery for the night so it wouldn't drain the battery. The next day I took the car to the mechanic who replaced the horn switch and relay. We thought that had fixed the problem. An hour after I left the mechanic with the car both the BRAKE and ABS lights on my dash went on and my speedometer stopped working (very scary to drive that way). When I stopped the car and went to lock it with my keyfob, the solid horn went off again so obviously the problem was not the horn switch and relay!?!? Over the past few months I have had my car to three different mechanics as well as the Jeep dealer and they have all concluded that the problem must be the BCM but they said that the only was they can properly diagnose the car is if it is acting up with the above mentioned symptoms while in the shop. Unfortunately it only acts up intermitently, not all the time. I am at such a loss. Currently we have removed the fuse for the horn so I am driving with no horn which is extremely unsafe! I look forward to any advice you have in this regard. Thank you!
if the vehicle did not have a radio that was equipped for the ipod it could be sending a signal that there is too much or not enough juice to that one area thus causing your light to come on the computer will direct power from somewhere else to compensate for the difference most likely the circuit that controls the airbag i could suggest changing the radio this may or may not solve your problem. or if you can live with the light on let it ride.
Replace it when it gives weaker than normal spark, or no spark (only determined by actual testing of trigger components as well.) How long do they last? Should last more than a few years, have had some last 300K without failing.
You can do one of three things.1. buy a scan tool 2. go to a dealer and pay to have the codes read and diagnosed 3. go to your local parts chain to have it read for free. (call first to verify). The code will tell you what system is malfunctioning and what the malfunction is. The parts store option is my choice, because you can also get the part to fix it if needed and you are not out the $ for diagnostics, nor did you need an appt to get it in.
I have the same problem. I pulled the fuse out, in the box under the hood, on the passenger side of the engine, by the coolant overflow. It killed my horn issue.
Funny enough, the only part of my horn that I miss is the beep when locking my car. I don't really use the horn and perhaps when some idiot cuts me off one day, I'll be sorry.
I just had my AC Rad fail, and fixed that today. I am picking up my Jeep tomorrow, and have asked the mechanic if he has any ideas.
Under the hood of your jeep on the passenger side there is the Power Distrubution Center (PDC). Remove the lid and thered will be fuses and relays in there. I could not locate the exact location of the horn reley, but if you start removing them one by one you can find the horn relay. You will know the right one when the horn stops.
Thanks! With the help of these diagrams, I disabled the airbag electrically. Then I took off the airbag unit, took off the plastic airbag cover, and replaced the horn switch with a new $20-$30 part. It fits in a little pocket of the airbag fabric. (very interesting how these things are made) I reassembled everything, reconnected the battery terminals, replaced the horn fuse that I had removed the the horn worked fine.
Problem solved. Thanks.
I have had this happen to me 4 times. The first time we removed the fuse and replaced it later with no problems. A few months later it happened again. We pulled the fuse to stop the horn and then had the switch replaced. A few months later it happened again. This time we had the entire horn replaced and today it happened again. It usually has happened when it was parked and I was at work. It would just go off by itself and was one long continuous honk. Today when it happened I had just parked it at work and was listening to the radio with the Jeep still running and the horn went off. I had to pull the fuse out to stop it. I really don't know what else to do since we have replaced the switch and the entire horn with the same thing happening again. Any help would be appreciated.
×