Pontiac Repair: 2002 Grand Am GT electrical, sheet metal screw, right turn signals

Question
Hello Todd,

Recently, I had the starter and alternator replaced and since then I have electrical issues.  First, I noticed the horn didn't work.  Then, I noticed the left and right turn signals were fast.  This, was also at night when the auto lights were on.  During the day, the turn signals are normal.

I started with the horns and both work when tied directly to the battery.  Measuring voltage on the horn plug I got 12 and 8.8 on the return side?!  

Why is there voltage on the return side and should I go about isolating it?  I'd like to do it myself rather than pay for hours of labor at a shop.


Answer
Hey Ronny:

Thnaks for the good feedback you left. I was trying to be a clear as possable to you. That little box you broke off is a ground splice pack. it has to be attached to the body that is where all electronic components in the front of the car are attached to. It's basically 1 big ground for many different things on the car. If you broke off the bolt that holds it to the body just drill a hole in an part of the frame and use a sheet metal screw to attach it to the body That should work out just fine.

Hey ronny:

I'm not really to sure what these things have in common other than a grond issue in the front somewhere. As for the horn there is not a return wire??? there is power and ground. the green wire is the power feed and the black wire is the ground. My guess without looking at the wire diagram that they share the same ground. when you are pressing on the hor or make it honk from the key fob you should have battery voltage. if not you have a high resistance issue in the power feed. you can check the black wire with a volt meter from there to battery (+) but that's not a good way to check it.. Use a test light from  the battery to the black wire it should be a bright light. If not then you have a bad ground wire. My guess is that when you find the horn problem the lights will then work properly. if not you need to look further into it. I belive the forward lamps and horn are grounded to the body under the battery tray area. good luck :)