linuxrunner

WOW, so this is weird.

About a month ago my right turn signal got stuck on (steady) even when I turned off the car and took the keys out. So I drive to the auto store and get a new blinker relay, on my way back out I see that my horn is also going off even though the truck is completely off. (the blinker light is still light up steady). On my drive back home everything seems to clear up. Except that my horn no longer works.

Then today on my way out my right turn is on steady again. I press the turn signal and horn a few times and to goes out. I drive for about 30 min with no problems, then come home and park it.

I just got a phone call from my neighbors telling me my alarm has been going off for about 20 min… ( I don’t have an alarm ) I run out there and there is smoke billowing out from under the hood. Unlock the door and press the horn (no key in ignition) It stops as long as I hold the horn down. So I let go and pop the hood there is LOTS of smoke coming out from behind the right headlight. So I unhook the battery.

Alright, any ideas?

yotasavg

the horn is catching on fire???

MMA_Alex

sounds like theres a pretty serious short. I forget if theres a fuse, or a relay for the horn, but if you pull that out for now you should be able to drive the thing without it catching on fire for the time being.

gunna have to start tracing the short after that...

edit: after re-reading your post i'm thinking it might be at the contacts on the steering wheel, as it seems to only have issues with the turn signal/horn at certain times (certain turnings of the wheel perhaps?)

linuxrunner

I don't know I didn't want to waste time trying to figure out what was smokeing because all my neighbors were starting to gather so i just unhooked the battery and the smoke stoped...

This may be normal if you hold down the horn for 20min it may get VERY HOT

yotasavg

ya that's the strangest thing i've ever heard.........wow. maybe it was just from the damn thing going off for so long.....sounds like you've got an electrical nightmare and i wish i could help but that is not my domain.....good luck!

MMA_Alex

yeah probably the horn thats doing the smoking!

96redtoy

wow that is amazing no ideas but that is a sweat story and i wish you good luck with this electrical problem that you have there.

as you know the smoke was most likely the horn motor going up in smoke. what is wierd is the horn works when you complete the ground circuit when pushing the horn down so when you push it down your truck some how is breaking the circuit it is the opposite

thats all i know, that sure is weird good luck

linuxrunner

Should the horn work when the car is off?

96redtoy

yes it should

4runnerchevy

People buy those AAAoooooGH aaa horns all the time, yours smokes too, Thats great ! Download pictures and some How TO!

ozziesironmanoffroad

my oogah horn doesnt smoke. but then again i dont use it too often... the finger works better

4runnerchevy

I was thinking of doing the spark plug/ coil / exhaust thing, but if I can get my horn to do it, show me how!

tampabayota

horn broke watch for finger jk i had a buick that did the same thing when it got cold out

thewjsand

When it is super cold out if i use the horn it sticks until i hit it really hard... wonder if it is the same problem...only yours is way worse...

I'll be watching this thread to see if you uncover the problem!
Good Luck

toyotatom93

The question is what did you do before that stuff happened.
I had a 76 rabbit way back and I tried to install a stereo...one day while I was turning left in an intersection and my car stalled and the horn started a constant honk, it wouldent stop untill I turned off the signal...your story sounds very similar is all.

Swank

This has to be one of the best forum post titles evar. LOL

Sorry about your luck though.

stupid_mud_gremlins

Take a multi-tester (one of the ones that chirps if you get a connection between the leads) and start checking for shorts at the column to see how bad it really is. Be sure to do all the pins on all the connectors, and write down what color wires/pins are connected. Then reference your list to a wiring diagram. Once you know which ones are wonky, you can just run a new wire for each specific pin that is shorting to where it should go. Just remember though, snip, strip, SOLDER. You never know when one may be a signal wire for a sensor or some stupid thing like that. I've seen cases where a data signal for one of the storage carousels at work was being mangled by a crimp-on connector, and I ended up having to solder half the wires in the machine.

Dare44

let it catch fire and take some pics, the horn will stop after it burns a while then just put a train horn on there

WCorbett

hook a compressor and some gasoline up to it so when it catches fire you can press the horn button and make a huge flame thrower

shwuz

You know, I'm bummed for your bad luck and I have absolutely nothing helpful to add...

But I have to say I totally laughed out loud when I read your post title.