Chrysler Repair: horn blows when steering wheel turned, electrical interconnection, chrysler cirus

Question
I have a 96 chrysler cirus, when I turn the steering wheel the horn starts to blow like crazy. This happens when I turn left or right. Please help...thank you

Answer
Hi Ed,
I suspect that the electrical interconnection between the steering wheel and the steering column is defective and that the wire which is connected to the horn switch is shorting to ground when ever the wheel is turned off center. This could be due to a broken horn wire or gap in the insulation. The interconnection device is called a clockspring because the wires are constructed like the spring on a clock's balance wheel. The device handles not only the wires for the horn but also for the airbag. Because this is a safety device there may be the possibility that there is a safety recall (There was one for the vans in the later 90's). So you might start with a dealership to see the recall list for your car, or you can call Daimler-Chrysler in Detroit and find out whether that is the case or not.
To replace it you have to remove the steering wheel, being careful not to set off the airbag. If you want to do it yourself, the Haynes manual shows how. I can xerox and postal mail you the pages for that task.
Roland