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Old 11-14-2018, 09:37 AM   #1
yarikoptic
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2001 Outback LL Bean
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Default 2014 Outback 3.6R - horn (on steering wheel) doesn't work, no other correlates

My wife's subaru was reported by her to no longer honk when she "presses steering wheel".
- Horn works loud and clear when I press Alarm button on remote (although there are two of the horns -- are both working for both alarm and regular honking?)
- I did swap similar to Horn relays under the hook as the initial check/measure -- no change. Pulling out relay disables Alarm button to work as well
- There is no other symptoms to clearly point to clock spring - no other lights, all on steering wheel audio and cruise controls work, no intermittent "horn works" condition when I turn steering wheel while pressing the horn -- tried way too many times.
- Looking at the wiring diagram below I dug under the driver side panel, identified (I think correctly) that A24 connection (pin 24 on B280) to find that it has continuity to the ground. I thought that Horn switch (within the airbag module) is the one which would bring it to the ground. Pulling out Horn relay, removes continuity.

So my questions are
- isn't horn relay "normally open" type, or in other words - why am I having continuity to the ground through it from that A24?
- anything else to do/try before pulling out the steering wheel airbag unit and checking the horn switch, and then clock spring connection for that wire?



Thanks in advance for any ideas!
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Old 11-14-2018, 11:27 AM   #2
SirBrass
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First thing I thought of was to check continuity from the horn switch itself to the relay trigger input. If that shows appropriate continuity (including resistance), check the physical switch for proper operation.
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Old 11-14-2018, 11:59 AM   #3
yarikoptic
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SirBrass View Post
First thing I thought of was to check continuity from the horn switch itself to the relay trigger input. If that shows appropriate continuity (including resistance), check the physical switch for proper operation.
Since the horn switch is within the airbag module, that is what I've not dared to take off/test yet ;-)
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Old 11-14-2018, 02:30 PM   #4
SirBrass
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Quote:
Originally Posted by yarikoptic View Post
Since the horn switch is within the airbag module, that is what I've not dared to take off/test yet ;-)
I've watched how-toy's on swapping the steering wheel and it seems that the process for just getting the airbag module off is not really that big of a deal as long as you follow the proper safety procedures (such as disconnecting the negative battery terminal and discharging the vehicle, usually achieved by pressing and holding the foot brake). The center portion is held on by several clips.

Look up the subispeed video-game on how to install one of their aftermarket steering wheels. They walk you through the procedure. It's really only a pain if you're changing the wheel, not just simply disconnecting the airbag module.
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Old 11-15-2018, 12:10 PM   #5
yarikoptic
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SirBrass View Post
I've watched how-toy's on swapping the steering wheel and it seems that the process for just getting the airbag module off is not really that big of a deal as long as you follow the proper safety procedures (such as disconnecting the negative battery terminal and discharging the vehicle, usually achieved by pressing and holding the foot brake). The center portion is held on by several clips.

Look up the subispeed video-game on how to install one of their aftermarket steering wheels. They walk you through the procedure. It's really only a pain if you're changing the wheel, not just simply disconnecting the airbag module.
Eh, if my life was that easy -- somehow in my case getting to those pins to take the airbag module was quite tricky. While at it made a video - might be of help to others:

Reporting

- no continuity from that "Ground wire" for the horn and the Horn relay under the hood.
- nothing obvious otherwise
- this morning, when was moving the car out of garage, and steering wheel was turned in some position, horn managed to Honk! but then when turned back and tried again in a few positions -- no sounds.
So it is a piece of evidence toward the clockspring connection. I guess, before cashing out for a new one (seems to be ~90$, heh), I need to finally take the steering wheel of and trace the horn connection to confirm that it is the clockspring or somehow some loose connection after.
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Old 11-18-2018, 01:17 PM   #6
yarikoptic
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ok -- it was the "Roll connector" AKA clockspring. Took it out, found no continuity, replaced, honks now like it should. A few notes to others
- it remained tricky to hit those clips to take the airbag off
- the replacement (OEM from local dealership) one didn't have that handy orange wheel inside of it to be visible when roll connector in the middle position. Confused by that I though that may be by default it is position to one of the sides, so rolled it both sides (2-3 full turns) and saw no orange wheel. Surprising since even the repair manual mentions it
- replacement roll connector came with lube which I placed on two "indents" where it "connects" to the steering wheel positioning sensor which is clipped behind it (originally I thought that it was a part of the roll connector so first got confused when replacement part didn't have that thing sticking out in the back)

Anyways -- the issue resolved, thanks everyone who chimed in
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Old 11-25-2018, 04:00 PM   #7
Elbert Bass
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For whatever reason the vendor no longer puts the orange indicator in anymore. Your new roll connector should have come with a locking tab (possibly green) that you removed when installing that kept it in center position. If not you did not receive a new unused part.
I will say it is unusual for a roll connector to fail unless someone has messed with the steering wheel/column or the driver's air bag has been triggered. Most cases I find both horns have failed due to to water or just plain open circuit.

Quote:
Originally Posted by yarikoptic View Post
ok -- it was the "Roll connector" AKA clockspring. Took it out, found no continuity, replaced, honks now like it should. A few notes to others
- it remained tricky to hit those clips to take the airbag off
- the replacement (OEM from local dealership) one didn't have that handy orange wheel inside of it to be visible when roll connector in the middle position. Confused by that I though that may be by default it is position to one of the sides, so rolled it both sides (2-3 full turns) and saw no orange wheel. Surprising since even the repair manual mentions it
- replacement roll connector came with lube which I placed on two "indents" where it "connects" to the steering wheel positioning sensor which is clipped behind it (originally I thought that it was a part of the roll connector so first got confused when replacement part didn't have that thing sticking out in the back)

Anyways -- the issue resolved, thanks everyone who chimed in

Last edited by Elbert Bass; 11-25-2018 at 04:10 PM.
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Old 11-25-2018, 05:17 PM   #8
yarikoptic
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Yes, green lock was there. Moreover I found the remainder of the lock on the old one as well.that is why I was confused/doubted while seeing no orange, if it was locked in center or some turned position. I trusted nobody and decided to check ;-)
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