Chrysler Repair: Wiring problems in steering column...Cirrus/Stratus, chrysler cirrus, 1999 chrysler cirrus


Question
I have a 1999 Chrysler Cirrus and am having an electrical issue in my steering column. The turn signals don't work at all and when I turn left, my fog lights come on and click off when the turn is complete. Recently I hit the steering wheel (road rage) and my horn got stuck and wouldn't shut off.  I had to pull the #14 fuse to shut the horn off but doing so I also lost my tail lights and instrument lights leaving the car non-drivable. I don't know what to do and am wondering if it is something easy to fix or should I take it to a mechanic.  Do you have any suggestions?  If you need more information let me know.  Please lend me your expertise .  Please please please...

Answer
Hi Aaron,
You can get the instrument and tail lights back by removing fuse 8 under the dash instead of fuse 14 that is under the hood. That will only cause only a loss of the horn and the cigar lighter socket power. Then I would remove the steering wheel and check the mechanical function of the two horn switches to find which one is stuck closed. Disconnect the battery first so that you don't accidentally set off the air bag.  
On the fog/turn signal issues, that suggests the multi-function switch which controls both is malfunctioning, or check along the steering column to see if any of the multi-wire disconnect plugs have come apart. If those all look ok then get a switch out of a wreck or buy a new one. To get to the switch remove the lower and then the upper covers of the steering column. Look for screws on the underside of the column, remove the lower cover, then loosen the screws for the cluster hood to get clearance to remove the upper cover. Then the multi-function switch and its connectors can be removed.
Roland