More Problems

[I_Wanna_Retire]

Got a call from my son who is currently going to school in Milwaukee. He said last night the horn started going off solid whenever the headlights are turned on. Sounds like a short too me, but thought I would check to see if any members have experienced this before (and can provide hints on resolving) before I tell him to bring it to a repair shop. Thanks

[Yefim]

Yup, I got the exact same problem few days ago - very embarrasing in front of my co-workers as soon as I would turn the lights on my horn would start going! Short term solution I did - pulled the horn fuse for now. Between my newborn and my work I have absolutely no time to troubleshoot my VX problems. If you find the issue PLEASE let me know.

Thanks!

PS. Good to know that it is not just my VX that is crazy :)

[Y33TREKker]

I list this as just a possibility (the weather here is just a bit too crappy right now to go outside to look at this on my VX), but there is part of a wiring harness that runs through the firewall on the passenger side of the engine compartment from behind the glove box. The harness runs to a White - 22 pin connector (behind the glove box) that contains wires for both the headlight (pin 17) and the horn circuit (pin 9). If the firewall grommet the harness runs through was bad/missing/worn through/etc, there's a chance that some of the wires in the harness could become shorted. As I said, I've not even looked at my vehicle, so there may not even be a grommet.

The wire relating to the headlight circuit would be red/white.
The wire relating to the horn circuit would be orange/black.

Also, I'm not sure if it would make a difference for these circuits, but this info was gleaned from a '99 Vehicross electrical troubleshooting manual, and I've heard that a '99 manual is different than a '00 or '01 manual. (Due to the change in HVAC controls?)

[Yefim]

Y33TREKker, I think you are definitely pointing in the right direction. I noticed that during heavy rains, I do get some water in somewhere behind the glove compartment - exactly where you said the harness is. Sometimes I can see the water running down to the floor from there.

Also, is it possible to get a copy of the '99 VX electrical manual that you have? The CD that I have is for 2000/01 VX which does have some differences - I noticed it when I was doing my start button mod. I am pretty sure I can still figure it out but if I could get a copy that would be great! Let me know please.

Thanks!

- Yefim

[Y33TREKker]

Y33TREKkerAlso, is it possible to get a copy of the '99 VX electrical manual that you have? The CD that I have is for 2000/01 VX which does have some differences - I noticed it when I was doing my start button mod. I am pretty sure I can still figure it out but if I could get a copy that would be great! Let me know please.

Thanks!

- Yefim

Well, the '99 manual I have is an old-school paper version (eBay purchase). About the best I could do would be to take digital pics of any pages you may want/need and email them to you.

[Yefim]

Well, I don't want to make it difficult but if you don't mind just sending me that one page with the harness I would appreciate it. You can also scan it if you have access to a scanner or all-in-one machine as they are called these days. If it is too much trouble though, don't worry about it :)

Thank you.

[Y33TREKker]

Well, I don't want to make it difficult but if you don't mind just sending me that one page with the harness I would appreciate it. You can also scan it if you have access to a scanner or all-in-one machine as they are called these days. If it is too much trouble though, don't worry about it :)

Thank you.

I tried taking pics of the relative horn and headlight schematic pages, but didn't have much luck getting the proper focus with the digital camera. I think my sister may have a flatbed scanner I can use though. Were you just wanting pages relating to the headlights and horns, or did you also need the ignition circuit for the start button mod?

[Yefim]

Thanks for the effort, I appreciate it. Just the headlights and horns connections are fine - I already did my Start Button mod (http://www.yefim.com/vx/redbutton/) so I am all set with the ignition :) Thank you though.

[Y33TREKker]

Hopefully, these will provide the info you need. Connector #H-19 seemed to be a common factor when looking at the headlight and horn circuits, but whether that's causing the problem the two of you are experiencing remains to be seen. Connector #H-19 is shown in picture 58 in the second photo. (Any chance a moderator can change the photos to thumbnails?)

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/515/medium/Harness.JPG

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/515/medium/Connector.JPG

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/515/medium/Headlights.JPG

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/515/medium/Headlights2.JPG

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/515/medium/Horns.JPG

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/medium/Horns2.JPG

[psychos2]

something to check may be the anti theft unit. when the alarm goes off the horn and lights both come on. if there is something wrong with the unit it may cause this. shawn

[Y33TREKker]

something to check may be the anti theft unit. when the alarm goes off the horn and lights both come on. if there is something wrong with the unit it may cause this. shawn

I also considered that at first, but the only things initiated by the alarm system upon an unauthorized entry are the interior lights, the exterior lights (except the headlights), and the horns. The starter is also disabled.

The manual also says that the anti-theft system enables the anti-theft buzzer (although my VX seems to have more of a beeper) for the following situations: to signal that the system has been armed, the system has been disarmed, during system programming, and when a door has been left open. No mention of the headlights there either.

[Yefim]

Y33TREKker, thanks a lot for posting the pictures! This is very helpful.

[Y33TREKker]

Y33TREKker, thanks a lot for posting the pictures! This is very helpful.

You're welcome. I'm glad I could offer some info to help determine the possible problem. Keep us posted if you figure out the cause.