Mazda Repair: horn does not blow, clock spring, sterring wheel


Question
The horn on our 92 miata will blow  ever once in a while when the sterring wheel is in diffence location. Check ground at horn. What else could it be??

Thanks Richard

Answer
Is the air bag light on or flashing?

The system consists of the horn, the two switches and the relay.  The two switches work independent and as such I have seen one work and one not before but, usually not both at the same time.  They throw to ground when depressed.

It is common to have a poor ground at the horn (both at the bracket and where the bracket meets the header panel.  Corrosion on the wire lead can also be an issue.  Regardless of operation you should hear the relay clicking as you depress the buttons.  Based on what you describe the clock spring connection could also be at fault but, should coincide with an SRS malfunction lamp.

The horn is interconnected with the SRS system via the clock spring which is why I ask about the air bag light.

Let me know.