Horn not working
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Horn not working
Horn stopped blowing(2002 e150 cargo van)...Thought it might be the horn relay...replaced it with one from Ford dealer..no luck...Then after reading posts here and googling this problem..thought it might be a bad clockspring but there are no warning lights indicating a problem with the air bag system...the lights do come on during start for bulb check and then go out after starting the vehicle..no service engine light..all looks normal from the dash and everything else is completely functional..just nada on the horn..The horn relay doesnt engage when pressing the center of the steering wheel and after removing the horn relay I found no power at all to any of the slots the relay plugs into after having someone hold in on the horn switch as I checked for voltage...I couldnt find a specific fuse for the horn either under the hood or inside the cab under the dash area...anyone got any ideas where to go from here..Im suspecting a power supply problem to the horn circuit but dont have anything to work with other than the owners manual..Any help would be greatly appreciated!!
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Joined: Feb 2011
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horns are often switched on the ground side, so you may not find power there as you expected to.
i would suggest you start by taking a short piece of wire and put it into the relay socket to carry power like the relay would it it were on. either it'll sound the horn as it should, or it won't. if that does it, then the clock spring is a likely cause of the problem. if it doesn't, then the problem is likely with the horn itself or wiring under the hood.
i would suggest you start by taking a short piece of wire and put it into the relay socket to carry power like the relay would it it were on. either it'll sound the horn as it should, or it won't. if that does it, then the clock spring is a likely cause of the problem. if it doesn't, then the problem is likely with the horn itself or wiring under the hood.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Aug 2010
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From: Reynoldsburg, Ohio
Josh's suggestion is the same way I'd begin---typically a under hood horn that's not working tends to be the horn itself. Those things live in near-impossible conditions and highly subject to failing, especially on a van of your vintage.
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Thanks guys for responding...I will do as you suggested and remove the horn relay and use a jumper to simulate contact closure of the relay and see if the horn sounds...I am electrically inclined so I have no problem with that...What actually feeds the 12volt coil of the horn relay though under normal conditions?..I mean I cant find a specific power source(fused circuit) in the owners manual for the horn itself..Can you give me either a wiring diagram of the horn circuitry or a fuse number/location for this?...I'm not leaning toward the clockspring itself as I have no indication of any issues with the air bag system or any other stored codes since the service engine light is off...Thanks again all and I'll report my findings back this weekend!
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Awesome w/d JWA...many thanks!!!!! Will report back Monday where I am with this problem in case I need further assistance or hopefully what I found to fix the problem..Thanks again all for your input
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Joined: Oct 2013
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From: Denver, NC
2002 E450 7.3 diesel horn failure
I have a slightly different problem with a ambulance cab and chassis only that I recently purchased. The horn does not blow, I have no label for the fuse box to locate the horn power fuse. Is the horn relay located in the fuse box under the hood on the drivers side. Which one is it? I have no owners manual either to show the fuse box layout. Does the Electrical diagram above work for my van also. Thanks for your help. I am new to this site and not sure how to search through the posts to see if someone has listed my problem. I just started at the latest post and read backwards until I found this post on horn problems.
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Fleet Owner
Joined: Aug 2010
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From: Reynoldsburg, Ohio
Mudflap in your situation I'd highly recommend purchasing what's known as an EVTM or electrical/vacuum troubleshooting manual---they're quite extensive with schematics of most every sub-system on your model and year chassis. Fuse box identification also part of such a manual.
A quick check on eBay reveals this one: http://www.ebay.com/itm/2002-Ford-E-Series-OEM-Econoline-Van-Wiring-Diagrams-Electrical-Service-Manual-/251374240251?pt=Motors_Manuals_Literature&hash=item3a871281fb&vxp=mtr Fair price all the way around. There are a few others in more pristine condition also listed in that category but costing more naturally.
As for your particular horn problem: Horn relay is located in the Battery Junction Box, under the hood as you've already found. Photo shows location:
Hope this helps!
A quick check on eBay reveals this one: http://www.ebay.com/itm/2002-Ford-E-Series-OEM-Econoline-Van-Wiring-Diagrams-Electrical-Service-Manual-/251374240251?pt=Motors_Manuals_Literature&hash=item3a871281fb&vxp=mtr Fair price all the way around. There are a few others in more pristine condition also listed in that category but costing more naturally.
As for your particular horn problem: Horn relay is located in the Battery Junction Box, under the hood as you've already found. Photo shows location:
Hope this helps!
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Joined: Oct 2013
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From: Denver, NC
2002 E450 van horn not working
Thank you so much. I ordered the wiring diagram from your link.. now I need to find an owner's manual that shows me what the fuses in the box go to. I tried to pull the relay shown in your picture after my son kept pushing the horn button and I felt that one clicking on and off. Maybe the fuse has been pulled or would it not click at all if the fuse was bad or missing? It would not come out. I thought there must be a retainer clip or something. I did not want to break the plastic relay housing. Is there a special trick or tool to get it out? I am looking for a 14' box van body to replace the old ambulance body to make a camper and dirt bike hauler for this old retired guy. Is there another place I need to post on? I am not very good at this BB stuff.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 21,253
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From: Reynoldsburg, Ohio
The EVTM shows you nearly everything you need/want to know about your van's electrical system, including the fuse boxes and what each fuse controls. The schematic shown above does identify the fuse and its number as found in its fuse box. You shouldn't need any other manuals for electrical work.
If that relay is clicking then all is well in the horn circuit. I'd find the actual horn and swap in something known to work or see if a test light indicates voltage to the horn connector. This step should pinpoint your exact situation.
I don't know of a specific tool to pull those relays---there might be something available. What I've done is used Channel Lock pliers and GENTLY grab the case and rock it a few times while pulling upward. They're stubborn, contacts might be slightly corroded which doesn't help so its mostly a matter of persistence. If the case does pop off they can usually be popped right back onto the relay base. If not they're cheap enough---less than $10 most places.
Hope this helps.
If that relay is clicking then all is well in the horn circuit. I'd find the actual horn and swap in something known to work or see if a test light indicates voltage to the horn connector. This step should pinpoint your exact situation.
I don't know of a specific tool to pull those relays---there might be something available. What I've done is used Channel Lock pliers and GENTLY grab the case and rock it a few times while pulling upward. They're stubborn, contacts might be slightly corroded which doesn't help so its mostly a matter of persistence. If the case does pop off they can usually be popped right back onto the relay base. If not they're cheap enough---less than $10 most places.
Hope this helps.
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I have the exact issue as mudflap123! I have an ambulance E350 7.3L power stroke diesel ambulance that I'm converting into a camper van and the horn doesn't work. The cruise control works, and I checked the relay which is also good. I hear clicking and swapped another relay switch and horn still doesn't work. I suspect it has something to do with it having been an ambulance, so the cool air horns don't work either and by law when they sell ambulances they need to disconnect the cool stuff 
Hoping mudflap123 has my answer or somebody else! Thank you
Hoping mudflap123 has my answer or somebody else! Thank you
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What did you find with the Horn
Hello Frank, I have the exact same problem and was wondering if you ever found out what it was ?