Horn Relay
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From: Virginia
Up through at least the 86 model, if you do not have cruise, you do not have a horn relay. Dont know about the 89 model. If you have cruise, then the horn relay is located under the dash on the driver's side above the kick panel area.
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Joined: Jul 2003
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From: St. Pete, Fl.
Thanks for the advice.
I had been trying to find it under the hood and drew a blank. (My '89 does have cruise control.) I will look under the dash tomorrow.
My horn works just fine when the ignition key is in the off position, but it does not work when it is in the run position. I thought changing out the horn relay (it's the original) might make a difference. Have you ever seen this problem before ?
Thanks again. worm
I had been trying to find it under the hood and drew a blank. (My '89 does have cruise control.) I will look under the dash tomorrow.
My horn works just fine when the ignition key is in the off position, but it does not work when it is in the run position. I thought changing out the horn relay (it's the original) might make a difference. Have you ever seen this problem before ?
Thanks again. worm
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From: St. Pete, Fl.
worm
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From: Virginia
I have seen your problem before, and it's usually a grounding issue in the column. If you want to try an experiment, take the horn pad off so you can get to the end of the steering shaft. Then try the horn, and see if it still works with the key off, and not with the key on. Then take a scrap piece of wire and bolt one end to a good body ground, and touch the other end to the metal steering shaft where the steering wheel bolts on. Then turn the key on and see if it works. If it does, then you do have a grounding problem. What you might want to try is go out under the hood, and make a short jumper wire to go from one side of the rag joint at the steering column shaft, over to the other side of the rag joint on the steering box side. This will ground the steering shaft through the steering box.
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Junior User
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From: St. Pete, Fl.
What you might want to try is go out under the hood, and make a short jumper wire to go from one side of the rag joint at the steering column shaft, over to the other side of the rag joint on the steering box side. This will ground the steering shaft through the steering box.
Thanks again.
Worm
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From: St. Pete, Fl.
fmc400,
I did what you suggtested and it has led me to an area on the passenger's side directly behind the glove box. I have asked one of my local parts guys to confirm the location....and he did. Do I have to drop the dash to get at it ? ( '89 F150 5.0 A/C cruise 5 spd 2 WD )
I appreciate your advice.
To summarize: the horn relay responds (clicks) in the accessory position and the off position, but does not respond in the run position. Your idea is actually pretty cool, but it still puzzles me that the horn will work in these positions, but not when the vehicle is actually running.
Your thoughts please.....
Thank you for your time.
worm
I appreciate your advice.
To summarize: the horn relay responds (clicks) in the accessory position and the off position, but does not respond in the run position. Your idea is actually pretty cool, but it still puzzles me that the horn will work in these positions, but not when the vehicle is actually running.
Your thoughts please.....
Thank you for your time.
worm
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Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Austin, TX
If the relay is clicking in at least those key positions, then you know the relay is good. I don't think you need to spend your time pulling the relay. Only one wire leaves the switched side of the relay coil - the same wire is used to actuate the relay regardless of where the key is at. Something in the steering column is keeping that wire from grounding when the key is on. I think your problem lies in the key switch or the steering column. I would try Franklin2's suggestions.
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From: St. Pete, Fl.
Frankin2,
FMC400 agrees with you
and I will be trying to make sure that the shaft is grounded as per your suggestion. I really appreciate you guys taking a second look at this problem. I have really been up against it. I don't use my horn that much, but it sure is nice to blast someone every once-in-a-while ! 
I will take a jumper cable and go from the shaft (above the U-joint) to the negative terminal of the battery....the best ground on the vehicle. I will let you know what happens. Thank you very much !!
worm
FMC400 agrees with you
and I will be trying to make sure that the shaft is grounded as per your suggestion. I really appreciate you guys taking a second look at this problem. I have really been up against it. I don't use my horn that much, but it sure is nice to blast someone every once-in-a-while ! I will take a jumper cable and go from the shaft (above the U-joint) to the negative terminal of the battery....the best ground on the vehicle. I will let you know what happens. Thank you very much !!
worm
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From: St. Pete, Fl.
No change at all.....
worm
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