Monday, November 18, 2013
What Does an Electric Horn Relay Do
An automotive horn is an important safety component used to alert drivers and pedestrians. The horn system in most vehicles is comprised of three primary parts: the horn, the switch and the horn relay.
Purpose
When the horn switch in the steering wheel is activated, the switch sends a signal to the horn relay. The horn relay then sends an electrical current to the horn, producing its sound. The horn relay allows a smaller charge to run through the switch.
Horn Relay Location
Often, the most difficult part of troubleshooting a horn relay is finding it. The horn relay may be located inside the fuse box under the hood, integrated into a larger electrical box or is a separate unit. If the horn relay is not easily located, follow the wiring back from the horn to find the relay or refer to a vehicle-specific shop manual.
Troubleshooting the Horn Relay
When a horn suddenly stops working, the first thing to check is the horn fuse. If the fuse is fine, the horn should be tested. You can do this by running a small jumper wire from the battery to the horn. If the horn sounds, the relay is most likely defective. If the horn does not sound, it needs to be replaced.
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