FAQ: Horn Problems

Nope every thing else is good nothing else is working properly

My horn is messed up too! I had a close call last week with an old guy in a minivan. He almost nailed me and not having a horn was like wanting to scream without a voice!

I gotta get this fixed!

The horn barely makes a noise. It's so quiet it takes effort to hear it. Any ideas of what it might be?

I've decided that AlData is AllDooDoo.
A pro user may be able to find exactly what he seeks quickly, but that's not me.
Can't wait until I get my manuals via post. And please tell me there are lots of photos to reference.
A pox upon Haynes for not taking an interest in the Riviera!

Anyway, Can someone tell me the hands on, direct route to removing my horns?
I know they're buried in the front end, left and right, but I can't see them without removing something. Since I like a plan before I waste my time, Which panel will give me access?

BTW, I am without Merit. I am without Friends. Does one need a Riv tatoo on forehead I think Rodney Dangerfield tried that without results. But I can do this

The horns can be removed through the wheel wells. It's easiest to lift the car, remove the front wheel(s), and remove the plastic lining in the well. The horns are clipped to the insides of the wells. Not too difficult to do if you have a panel clip removal tool.

Thanks. That info will help me plan my time.
After horns, I only need to troubleshoot the cruise, then the leveling system, determine if the ABS is working, replace struts and shocks, and rain-x the rear window like crazy since GM didn't design-in a rear wiper for winter use. Perhaps it was a styling consideration.

AA wrote:

The horns can be removed through the wheel wells. It's easiest to lift the car, remove the front wheel(s), and remove the plastic lining in the well. The horns are clipped to the insides of the wells. Not too difficult to do if you have a panel clip removal tool.

It is easiest to lift the car & remove the wheel to work on the horns. However, you **can** do it with car on ground and wheels on (I have done so) but it's really kinda tight and disorienting because you are always on your back. Wear safety glasses so crap does not fall in your eyes.

If you buy a pair of replacement horns you may want to get some mild steel repair straps instead of the little brackets the horns will come with, for mounting. You can reuse the connectors off your old horns (they are on with rivets just drill them out) or buy new connectors at larger parts stores or at GM dealers. That way you don't have to splice into car wiring, which would be a pain if you're already on your back trying to reach up into that narrow space to do anything. If you buy the horns from GM (just saying) they should come with replacement connectors and jumpers.

If you are careful about it you can mount *one pair* of horns under each fender. That's what I did, and as my sig says my horns are D-E A and F, a pair under each fender. I used mid steel plate to make up mount hardware for the extra horn on each side, and common hardware to fasten them except I did use the locking nuts with nylon inserts. Most likely mild steel strap would work fine. Be sure the straps are stout and the bolts tight or else the installation itself will become annoying (rattles).

Albertj

denim wrote:

Thanks. That info will help me plan my time.
After horns, I only need to troubleshoot the cruise, then the leveling system, determine if the ABS is working, replace struts and shocks, and rain-x the rear window like crazy since GM didn't design-in a rear wiper for winter use. Perhaps it was a styling consideration.

I've never needed a rear wiper; at parkway or better speeds the window stays quite clear.

I can't hit parkway speeds backing out of my driveway, so it's rain-X or get out and wipe the back window down. Besides, I get the same lake-effect snow you do, usually after you do:) Guess I'm spoiled from other rides... wiping isn't gonna happen. Still, as blasphemic as it may sound, I'll ponder an adaptation of a wiper, if it can blend with the lines.
Thanks for the horn data.

denim wrote:

I can't hit parkway speeds backing out of my driveway, so it's rain-X or get out and wipe the back window down. Besides, I get the same lake-effect snow you do, usually after you do:) Guess I'm spoiled from other rides... wiping isn't gonna happen. Still, as blasphemic as it may sound, I'll ponder an adaptation of a wiper, if it can blend with the lines.
Thanks for the horn data.

Wiper's gotta go thru the glass or be attached at the roof. Hopefully rain-x will work for you. Snow has not been a problem for me.

This has begun to happen to me. Haven't ready through the thread yet but I just wanted to mention that people give me all sorts of crazy looks as I'm throwing right hooks and straight jabs to the steering wheel. It eventually goes off. Pretty embarrassing but funny.

I have pinpointed my horn issue. However It looks like I am in need of a horn Ring does anyone know where I can purchase a horn ring? Also where is the best place to get a horn for the 95 buick riviera.

where did you get your horn ring from? I need one for my horn.

My horn was super sensitive. At 2 am on a below freezing morning horn went off. Which was the alarm, unlocked then locked door, alarm shut off. Next morning horn wouldn't work, fuse was blown. Replaced fuse, horn wont shut off...keeps blowing. So removed fuse, no horn. Obvious issues with the horn & buick rivieras....just want to know what needs to be replaced to fix it, need a horn.

wilmot06 wrote:

My horn was super sensitive. At 2 am on a below freezing morning horn went off. Which was the alarm, unlocked then locked door, alarm shut off. Next morning horn wouldn't work, fuse was blown. Replaced fuse, horn wont shut off...keeps blowing. So removed fuse, no horn. Obvious issues with the horn & buick rivieras....just want to know what needs to be replaced to fix it, need a horn.

most likely it's the horn switch under the soft cover of the air bag. That cover was the same for the Riv, Buick LeSabre, Buick Skylark of about 1996-99 -- if you go to an auto recycling yard (not a pick and pull) they should be able to help you get one that can be installed in your car and will work. You will need the factory service manual for the instructions on installing it safely, first key is to depower the airbag then you need to disassemble the steering wheel. I think this can be done in place so you probably don't have to pull the wheel -- but no kidding you will need to refer to the FSM for this one or have someone knowledgeable do it for you. It is not difficult at all just a little time consuming and there is not any room for creativity or error in following the airbag depowering instructions.

what wires connect the horn to the steering wheel? Specifically which one in the column wiring harness are responsible for the horn, I'm trying to install an external horn button .

you know what, Forget I even asked.

Thrashed wrote:

you know what, Forget I even asked.

So you don't get your answer fast enough and throw a hissy fit? You got to have some patience, sometimes the answers don't come that fast. The horn button in the air bag grounds the horn relay through a black wire in the column.

The last time I asked a similar question, I got 91 views and not a single response. Sorry I was abrupt. So whats the hot, The Relay? I'm presuming when the ground makes contact directly with the relay it creates a circuit and makes the horn sound?

The ground is for the relay (under the hood fuse box) The relay has the power. The horn is a problem in our cars. The air bag has the horn switches, which ground the relay.

Okay and what pin is the ground wire on? and is it on the black side or the white side?

Black side or grey side rather.

I have no idea. Try testing with a multi meter. Attach one side to the relay, and probe the wire at the column. You should be able to isolate which one it is. These cars are very complicated and have a lot of wiring. The only way to sort it out is to spend many hours with a meter and the Factory Service manual(FSM). This BB is really good for these cars, but it is no substitute for the FSM and a meter. Wish I could help you more.

I've got a spare wiring harness for my column, I'll just experiment. Thank you for your help.

Thrashed wrote:

what wires connect the horn to the steering wheel? Specifically which one in the column wiring harness are responsible for the horn, I'm trying to install an external horn button .

...if you are trying to install an external horn button because the switch in the airbag cover is no longer working (is shorted so horn is always on, usually) you might try contacting junkyards. The airbag cover used on the Rivs was the same as on a number of other Buicks in the '90s and a junkyard with access to the Hollander (most have this) probably has or can get one for you without too much hassle.

One problem is that, for instance, NY law says the junkyards can't sell airbags. So the yards often just blow them. If you ask the yard ahead of time however, getting the **cover** is doable and does not create issues for the yard. But they have to know in advance of blowing the bag out, to take the cover off for you then blow the bag. A minor detail...

Also, you may find these pages concerning the 1998 Buick LeSabre informative:

http://www.fixya.com/cars/t14115190-1998_buick_lesabre_no_start_sec_light
http://www.fixya.com/cars/t685518-1998_lasabre_horn_sounding

The reason you need a factory manual is the wiring colors are not necessarily the same model to model on GM cars.

Albertj

Junkyards are required to blow the airbags? No wonder this industry is so screwed up...

http://www.foxnews.com/leisure/2012/10/10/government-to-warn-motorists-tens-thousands-may-have-counterfeit-air-bags/

sorry to detract from your horn question.