GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only
Makes 🢒 Chevrolet 🢒 2002 🢒 Alero Export 🢒 Body and Accessories 🢒 Horns 🢒 Horns Inoperative

Test Description

The numbers below refer to the step numbers on the diagnostic table.

  1. Verifies that the body control module (BCM) is providing ground to the horn relay.

    2.

  2. Tests for voltage at the battery positive voltage terminal of the horn relay coil.

    3.

  3. Tests for voltage at the battery positive voltage terminal of the horn relay switch. The HORN fuse supplies power to the battery positive voltage terminal of the horn relay switch.

    4.

  4. The horns need maximum current flow to operate properly. A high resistance, greater than 0.5 ohms in the horn control circuit or the horn ground circuit could cause operating problems with the horns. Check the circuits for faults that would restrict current flow.

    5.

  5. The horn relay control circuit includes the horn slip ring and the horn switch. The horn slip ring and the horn switch must be tested for a high resistance, an open or a short to voltage when testing the relay control circuit.

Step

Action

Yes

No

1

Did you perform the Horns Diagnostic System Check?

Go to Step 2

Go to Diagnostic System Check - Horns

2

Depress the horn switch.

Do the horns operate?

Go to Step 3

Go to Step 5

3
  1. Install a scan tool.
  2. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.
  3. With a scan tool, command the body control module (BCM) Horn Output ON and OFF.

Do the horns operate?

Go to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections in Wiring Systems

Go to Step 4

4

Test the BCM portion of the horn relay control circuit for a high resistance or an open. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

Go to Step 24

Go to Step 13

5

  1. Turn OFF the ignition.
  2. Disconnect the horn relay.
  3. Connect a test lamp between the battery positive voltage circuit of the horn relay coil and a good ground.

Does the test lamp illuminate?

Go to Step 6

Go to Step 16

6
  1. Connect a test lamp between the battery positive voltage circuit of the horn relay coil and the horn relay control circuit.
  2. Depress and hold the horn switch.

Does the test lamp illuminate?

Go to Step 7

Go to Step 17

7

Connect a test lamp between the battery positive voltage circuit of the horn relay switch and a good ground.

Does the test lamp illuminate?

Go to Step 8

Go to Step 18

8

Momentarily connect a 15 amp fused jumper wire between the battery positive voltage circuit of the horn relay switch and the horn control circuit.

Do the horns operate?

Go to Step 14

Go to Step 9

9
  1. Reconnect the horn relay.
  2. Disconnect the horn connector.
  3. Connect a test lamp between the horn control circuit and a good ground.
  4. Depress and hold the horn switch.

Does the test lamp illuminate?

Go to Step 10

Go to Step 19

10
  1. Connect a test lamp between the horn control circuit and the horn ground circuit.
  2. Depress and hold the horn switch.

Does the test lamp illuminate?

Go to Step 11

Go to Step 20

11

Inspect for poor connections at the harness connector of the horn. Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections and Connector Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

Go to Step 24

Go to Step 12

12
  1. Connect a 15 amp fused jumper wire between the positive battery terminal and the control terminal of the horn.
  2. Connect another jumper wire between the negative battery terminal and the ground terminal of the horn.

Do the horns operate?

Go to Step 15

Go to Step 23

13

Inspect for poor connections at the harness connector of the BCM. Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections and Connector Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

Go to Step 24

Go to Step 21

14

Inspect for poor connections at the horn relay. Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections and Connector Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

Go to Step 24

Go to Step 22

15

Repair the high resistance in the horn control circuit or the horn ground circuit. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you complete the repair?

Go to Step 24

--

16

Repair the open or high resistance in the battery positive voltage circuit of the horn relay coil. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you complete the repair?

Go to Step 24

--

17

Important: The horn switch is part of the inflatable restraint steering wheel module. Refer to Inflatable Restraint Steering Wheel Module Replacement in SIR. To disable the SIR system, refer to Shift Lever Does Not Move with Brake Pedal Depressed in SIR.

Repair the open or short to voltage in the horn relay control circuit. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you complete the repair?

Go to Step 24

--

18

Repair the open or high resistance in the battery positive voltage circuit of the horn relay switch. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you complete the repair?

Go to Step 24

--

19

Repair the open or high resistance in the horn control circuit. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you complete the repair?

Go to Step 24

--

20

Repair the open or high resistance in the horn ground circuit. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you complete the repair?

Go to Step 24

--

21

Important:: Perform the BCM programming procedure when replacing the BCM.

Replace the BCM. Refer to Body Control Module Replacement in Body Control System.

Did you complete the repair?

Go to Step 24

--

22

Replace the horn relay.

Did you complete the replacement?

Go to Step 24

--

23

Replace the horn assembly. Refer to Horn Replacement .

Did you complete the replacement?

Go to Step 24

--

24

Operate the horns.

Do the horns operate properly?

System OK

Go to Step 1