QuestionI have a 1977 Chevy 3/4 ton van. It failed the inspection due to 2 things. Power steering leak and no car horn. It worked a few months ago, but now... ??? I just need advise on the car horn. I think I have the power steering taken care of. This van doesn't have a tilt option on it.
AnswerHi Diane:
To diagnose the horn, you need a good ear. (no pun intended)
When you press on the horn button on the steering column, do you hear anything at all? I am especially interested if you hear a clicking sound of some sort coming form either inside the cab, or under the hood. If you do hear the clicking, then all you need is the horn itself replaced (outside & behind the grill--near the radiator). They go for about $20.
If you do not hear any sound (clicking or otherwise), then the problem is in the steering column (broken wire or bad turn signal switch) or you may have a bad horn relay. The horn wire in the column is part of the turn signal switch harness. The horn relay is bout $25 & also under the hood near the battery. It would be the unit that does the clicking. The best way to test this system is with a test light & someone who knows the route the current takes.
Most often, it's the horn itself that goes bad (the easy part).
It's been about 30 years for me working on that design, but they haven't changed that much.
I hope this helps you
Doug
