2004 Dodge Ram horn switch

Tiny
GUITARGUY2186
  • MEMBER
  • 2004 DODGE RAM
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 70 MILES
Is there a way to repair the horn switch that is located in the airbag unit in the 2004 dodge ram 1500. The horn wont stop blowing continuously, I disconnected the airbag unit and horn switch wires then reconnected it but after a few hours the horn started up again. I think its the switch that is touching due to the extreme cold. I think the clockspring is working properly. Any help is greatly appreciated
Tuesday, January 4th, 2011 AT 4:47 AM

7 Replies

Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 34,331 POSTS
The cover can be removed from the air bag assembly but I never autopsied one. The more common problem is you have to press with both hands to get the horn to turn on. On most air bags the cover wraps around to the backside and is stretched over some small plastic pins. My guess is you'll see a bent area on one of the metal plates or the insulator between them has shifted.

Caradiodoc
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Tuesday, January 4th, 2011 AT 7:56 AM
Tiny
GUITARGUY2186
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Ok, I was just afraid that if I removed the airbag unit from there that it would not be able to be replaced, I will try again getting it apart. If I run into a jam I will be back. Have you done this on a ram before?
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Tuesday, January 4th, 2011 AT 12:59 PM
Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
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Never took one apart but the dealer I used to work for donated a bunch of air bags to the school where I was teaching later. They were replaced under warranty for horn switches that had to be pressed much too hard.

Caradiodoc
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Wednesday, January 5th, 2011 AT 4:51 AM
Tiny
MBELLAMY
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
The horn button electronics are on the front side of the airbag. After killing the power and removing the airbag and cover, the skin can be removed by pressing on the airbag edges to make the pins slide down and let the skin be pulled away. The pins will slide down in the holes so the skin can be pulled away from the pins and then you can remove the skin and see the horn electronics on the back side of the airbag cover. I have not been able to locate a replacement yet but have just started looking.
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Friday, January 26th, 2018 AT 2:29 PM
Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
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Thank you. Once apart, does it look like the horn switches are accessible, and can they be fixed?
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Sunday, January 28th, 2018 AT 6:45 PM
Tiny
MBELLAMY
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
The parts under the skin look like circuit boards and they seem to be plastic welded in place. I could not see how they could be replaced. I am going to the dealer to find out if anyone carries the skin or if I have to buy a steering wheel.
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Monday, January 29th, 2018 AT 6:12 AM
Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 34,331 POSTS
The normal repair was to replace the air bag assembly, not the entire steering wheel. The hard-to-press buttons was a somewhat common problem when I was at the dealership in the late '90s.
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Monday, January 29th, 2018 AT 4:11 PM

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