Horn works sometimes

I worked on a 2000 Tundra that the horn was working "when it wanted to".
I think it just might apply to the Tacoma's too.
Problem is the ground is through the steering shaft bearing.
With time, the grease hardens, and bearings rust. Thus no contact, and no ground.
Before starting you need to remove the ground from the battery and wait for 10 minutes.
If not, the bag might blow.
To test, remove air bag, use an Ohm meter to measure the resistance between the shaft and a good ground not on the steering column.
If you have continuity, your good. Problem is someplace else. Might be the clock spring.
If it's open, you found the problem.
Before starting, mark the shaft to the steering wheel. I use a punch and mark two dots in line.
Also I put a piece of masking tape to hold the clock spring from turning.
You need to take off the steering wheel, lower dash panel, upper and lower column covers, clock spring, and stock controls. It's not as hard as it seems.
You will see that the grease is hard and brown (rust).
I sprayed it with brakeleen to get the old grease out.
Dry it up and test again.
If it still has no continuity, you'll need to somehow clean the rust out.
I used an Air Eraser. It's a arts and crafts, tiny sand blaster like tool. Great tool to have for cleaning contacts in wiring conectors.
How you do it is up to you.
Maybe some grinding compound, move the wheel back and forth, spray it out.
I tried spraying it with PB blaster, but the rust was to thick. Maybe if I worked at it more, it would have worked.
I didn't try to remove the bearing. It looks like it might have to be pressed out. I don't know.
Once you get contact, dry it up and pack with grease.
I use Super Lube. It's a synthetic grease that last forever.
Put everything back, and test the horn.
It worked for me anyway.

 

Has anyone done this on the 2nd gen Tacoma?

My horn was working intermittently (barely at all) for a couple years now. I thought it was the clock spring but my cruise control was working fine and horn would work every now and then. I just cleaned the contacts, unplugged and replugged all the wires and now my horn works when the wheel is turned left and when it is straight but not when it’s turned to the right. Wondering if this is the next step.

Edit: I ended up just installing a new clock spring. Horn works every time now.

 

hi, do you mind sharing which clock spring you bought, there are many options and prices, I don’t know what to choose.

 

I don’t remember. I would just check reviews. Good luck.

 

No worries, thank you

 

nothing alarming ever happens when you go right…