No horn and high beams stuck on

Help!! I just got a 1991 Firebird, 305 5 speed. The horn doesn't work and the high beams don't click off. I'm thinking the two may be related....any suggestions of where to start?? Any help would be much appreciated..thanks

As for the horn I'd start by checking all of the fuses in the fuse box, (easiest to do with an ohm meter measuring between the metal ends on the fuse with it still installed in the fuse box).

If it isn't that try a horn off another car, or buy one from a parts place.

As for the high beam only ... sounds like the switch went bad, I believe that one is on the column, check all of your fuses first though, never know how they have these things wired anymore.

good luck & post your results so others with simular problems know where to look.

Another thing you can check out, if its not a fuse or buss power problem:

the horn-

find the horn. Unplug the wire from it. Take a long piece of scrap wire, and attach one end to the positive terminal of your battery. Being cautious not to bump the other end against anything metal, touch it up against the post on the horn where you detached the wire. Expect the horn to honk. If it doesnt and your certain you had a good connection between the horn and the positive battery terminal, than the horn itself is bad. If it honks, try this.

Pull the steering wheel center cover off and see if the horn wire is hooked up, or broke or anything like that. If its none of the things gmack and i said, reply back and say that wasnt it and i will explain the entire system in more detail.

the beams-

On those columns down inside past the steering wheel, those switches are held in place by one screw. If it has worked itself loose or if the plastic has cracked, the switch will not pull back far enough to switch it between high/low beams. When you pull back on the signal switch you should be able to hear and feel it click. If it doesnt click it could be the actual beam switch. They can be broken, out of adjustment, or have other missing or broken parts. If this is the case let me know and i can explain it in greater detail.

Thanks to all for the great advice....all of the fuses were good, will try the the wire to the horn next, on the dimmer switch I didn't hear anything when I moved the signal switch.....on the high beam switch, can you try to tighten without taking the wheel off?? If not, is it complicated getting the wheel off since it has an airbag?? Never tackled pulling a steering wheel with an airbag....i

Another thing you can check out, if its not a fuse or buss power problem:

the horn-

find the horn. Unplug the wire from it. Take a long piece of scrap wire, and attach one end to the positive terminal of your battery. Being cautious not to bump the other end against anything metal, touch it up against the post on the horn where you detached the wire. Expect the horn to honk. If it doesnt and your certain you had a good connection between the horn and the positive battery terminal, than the horn itself is bad. If it honks, try this.

Pull the steering wheel center cover off and see if the horn wire is hooked up, or broke or anything like that. If its none of the things gmack and i said, reply back and say that wasnt it and i will explain the entire system in more detail.

the beams-

On those columns down inside past the steering wheel, those switches are held in place by one screw. If it has worked itself loose or if the plastic has cracked, the switch will not pull back far enough to switch it between high/low beams. When you pull back on the signal switch you should be able to hear and feel it click. If it doesnt click it could be the actual beam switch. They can be broken, out of adjustment, or have other missing or broken parts. If this is the case let me know and i can explain it in greater detail.



I have the same problem with the High beams. I know the switch is broken but i dont know how to get to it. Can you explain this to me please?

Thanks to all for the great advice....all of the fuses were good, will try the the wire to the horn next, on the dimmer switch I didn't hear anything when I moved the signal switch.....on the high beam switch, can you try to tighten without taking the wheel off?? If not, is it complicated getting the wheel off since it has an airbag?? Never tackled pulling a steering wheel with an airbag....i


Its not hard to take out the airbag. Just be very careful. I disconnected the battery when i did it just because it idnt want it to go off in my face. I change my whole steering wheel...Which im regreting now because the stalk wheel was better :-(. Any way just unscrew the screws on the back of the wheel should pop out :-)

Note: It takes a certain type of tool to take off the whole steering wheel. If you have to take it off, if you dont have it already, they sell them at auto stores.

I have the same problem with the High beams. I know the switch is broken but i dont know how to get to it. Can you explain this to me please?


http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y18/hotrod_chevyz/z1980ssteeringcolumnfirebirdcamaro.jpg

The yellow dots are pointed towards the high/low beam switch and the bar that runs from the signal switch down to the beam switch.

You shouldnt have to take apart the steering column to do this repair, instead remove the two nuts that hold the steering column to the dashboard. Once its lowered this will give you enough space to remove and reinstall the beam switch. You will need a 1/4 inch drive ratchet, a 1-3 inch extension and either a 7mm or 8mm socket to get the switch off the column.

To loosen the column you will need the same tools to get the plastic out from under the dash to get to the nuts holding the steering column up. These require a 3/8 drive ratchet with a 6 inch extension, and either a 13mm or 15mm deep socket. And of course you will have to be standing outside the car working to get the switch off, because when the column is loose the steering wheel against the seat is what should be holding it up.

Awsome! Thank you very much