horn not working need relay location to check it

okay here we go. my factory horn doesn't work so here's what I've done: horn beeps if I straight wire it to battery. No power to single wire at horn. fuse good(reads .03 on voltmeter, same as others) Took off steering wheel/airbag cover and no power to single wire going into harness. I don't know where the relay is so I can't check it. I also heard it may be spiral cable? I am going to put on some claxons but I just wanted to use the steering wheel for the button instead of an aftermarket button but I don't want to spend a great deal of money repairing this thing. by the way my airbag dash light is also on. any help greatly appreciated.

 

The steering wheel air-bag and horn go thru the 'clock-spring', so that is the likely culprit. I think the horn relay is near the inside fuse panel. You should be able to here it click (if working properly) when you try the horn.

 

Could you explain what a "clock spring" is on our trucks? I can't imagine anything like that.

Where is it located?

What is it used for?

What is its Toyota part number?

Sorry for the questions, but this is the 2nd or 3rd time I've read about a "clock spring" in the last few months and I still don't have a good idea about what/where it is...

 

Thanks for the help

 

The 'clock spring' is a device that allows an electrical connection on a rotating steering shaft. The service manual calls this device a 'spiral cable'.
Any wired switch on the steering wheel (horn, air bag, cruise control, etc) needs this in order to function properly. To replace it, you need to first remove the steering wheel air-bag module and steering wheel.

OP, it could be that your 'spiral cable' is defective, or has simply become unplugged.

 

>>The 'clock spring' is a device that allows an electrical connection on a rotating steering shaft.<<

Thank you for the info.

 

okay I have learned a lot in the last couple days. first, I bought an old beat up 99 DLX reg cab 4X4 taco because it was mostly for farm use and it drove and rode great; it just looks like hell but car fax said I am only the 8th owner. My horn was not working and the airbag light was lit on the dash when I bought it so I started testing things and I would recommend in this order. Fuse, direct wire horn to see if it works, horn relay is behind inside cab fuse panel(about 30 minute job to get to it, test it and put back.) All worked so only thing left was clock spring/spiral cable in steering wheel. When I removed the steering wheel (no puller needed) and got to the clock spring spiral cable I found the problem! I took this thing apart and sure enough the wires were broken. New one off Amazon was $18.00 free shipping so it's on the way and I anticipate this will solve both the airbag light and the horn issues since both wires run through it.

 

Did you get it fixed? thanks

 

I'm having the same problem with my horn, I've replaced the broken spiral cable, the fuse is good , horn blows when wired direct, NO clicking sound from a relay ? Where is the horn relay located on ' 02 Tacoma Ext.cab ?? Thanks for the help.

 

Your spiral cabel was broken, what didn't work

 

Horn still doesn't work ONLY blows when wired direct off battery , I want to check the Relay next cause there is no " clicking" sound when the horn button is pushed .where is the relay located ?? Thanks

 

Don't take offense, but when you re-assembled the SW pad after replacing the spiral cable, did you possibly forget to connect the separate little horn wire? I almost did that once.

 

$18? Are you sure you ordered the right thing? They are usually multiple hundreds of dollars.

 

No offense taken. I did reconnect the single black horn wire to the terminal on reassembly . Still need to locate the Horn Relay to confirm it's working -No audible click. Thanks

 

Not fixed yet but spiral cable came in yesterday and plan to put on tomorrow and then I will advise

 

My 99 horn relay was on backside of inside fuse panel in top corner. Take plastic knee panel off, then two bolts to loosen where you can turn it around and see the relay. Mine never clicked when I pushed horn because my spiral cable was broken but my relay worked fine when I took it apart and checked it.

 

I'll look near the interior fuse panel & try to locate it. Thanks

 

Addressing the $18 question: I saw prices from $16-$300 for 2 different part numbers that supposedly both fit my 99. I will know if I can install it tomorrow and then I will advise.

 

Well I have a spare for 95 that might work, have to check part nums if the one you got doesn't. I thought my spiral was busted but turns out it was the cable that goes to it so I bought a spare spiral for nothing. Oh well, live and learn, should have traced wires better.