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Horn not working - Pacer

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Jim76 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Jim76 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Horn not working - Pacer
    Posted: Sep/29/2022 at 12:48pm
I'm trouble shooting a non working horn on a '76 Pacer.  I can make the horn beep with a hot wire from horn to + battery.  Now I'm wondering if I can use a continuity tester on the three prong plug that goes to the horn relay (what goes where?) while someone presses on the horn button center of steering wheel? Want to be sure horn button is working to that plug. Photo shows the plug and I think the white wire is power. 
Jim Stulga
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote troutwilly Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Sep/29/2022 at 11:24pm
Here's my guess.  If I'm wrong I know someone will chime in to correct.
Use your electrical tester set for 12 volts (usually the 20 volt range). 
Secure the negative probe to a good ground. 
Test each one of the 3 wires in that connector with the positive probe and when you get a 12 volt reading you've found power from the battery (the horn works no matter the key position).  This feeds the power directly from the battery to the horn through the horn relay.
One of the other 2 wires goes to the horn, and one to the horn button. 
Put the positive probe on one of the other 2 wires in the connector and have someone press the horn button.  The wire from the horn button will show 12 volts when the horn button is pressed.  This power activates the relay to complete the circuit from the battery to the horn.  If neither of these other 2 wires show 12 volts when the horn button is pressed, you have a problem at the steering wheel/column.
This leaves the 3rd wire, which should go to the horn.  Use your electrical tester to test continuity from the shown connector to the wire on the horn (remove the wire from the horn to test this).
If you have a constant 12 volts to the relay, 12 volts to the relay when the horn button is pressed, and continuity from the relay to the horn, it should work.  If not I suspect a bad relay.


Edited by troutwilly - Sep/29/2022 at 11:28pm
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Jim76 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Jim76 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Sep/30/2022 at 9:23am
Thanks troutwilly. I don't have a voltage tester and only a continuity one.  I'm a little embarrassed 'cause I later thought to check the shop manual never expecting to find such a thorough horn troubleshooting section.  There are a couple of jumper wire tests to do. It's the pink wire (doesn't look it) that is the power. I guess those jumper wires get pushed into the connections between the plug and horn relay to do those tests but it doesn't exactly say that. Still thinking and planning before I do it.  Jim
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote bigbad69 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Sep/30/2022 at 4:17pm
Originally posted by Jim76 Jim76 wrote:

I don't have a voltage tester
Digital multi-meters are really not that expensive. It should be in every backyard mechanic's toolkit. If it can measure 10A and ~300mA, it's what you want. Voltage limits are usually beyond anything you'll need for automotive tests.
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Jim76 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Jim76 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Sep/30/2022 at 9:26pm
Horn is fixed!! Doing those service manual tests, found the malfunction was at the steering wheel horn button. To verify, I ran a jumper wire from the button area to the gray wire on the horn relay and voila, it beeped where pressed.  Next, took the steering wheel large nut off, the horn ring with three screws and lastly removed the spring steel disc.  Finally figured out a coil spring conductor was missing inside the white nylon lined hole. Top of spring touches the spring steel disc and connects to the gray wire down in there. Not sure exactly what AMC had in that hole, but likely something very similar.   Will try to add photos.  Jim
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Jim76 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Jim76 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Sep/30/2022 at 9:32pm
Photos of horn button 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote tomj Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Sep/30/2022 at 10:50pm
You can also test power to the relay by disconnecting the horn, leaving the relay connected. With the hood open in a quiet place you can hear the relay operate. 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Snake Oiler Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Aug/11/2023 at 7:53am
Where is the horn relay for a 75 Pacer? (I just bought it yesterday) , I have service manual on order.  I can push horn pad and hear a loud click coming from engine compartment,  but have no horn sound. Thanks - Snake
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote ramblinrev Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Aug/11/2023 at 8:14am
If you hear a click, the horn is likely the problem, not the relay.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Jim76 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Aug/11/2023 at 10:14am
Original post Jim here....  the horn relay on my '76 is on drivers side inside fender next to battery. It was completely missing on my car but the screw holes were there. Good luck. Hope your problem isn't as tedious as mine was. 
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