Horn won't shut off and security light is on

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12-11-2014, 02:13 PM

fpete1992

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Join Date: Dec 2014

Posts: 1

Horn won't shut off and security light is on

I just bought a 1996 Chevy Camaro Z28 that has the security light on in the dash. I noticed the horn didn't work either so I checked the fuse and the fuse under the hood was missing. Replaced the fuse and the horn works but sometimes the horn will sound and not shut off, sounds like someone is holding down the horn button without letting go. I think it might have something to do with the Security light on? The previous owner said they had to bypass the security system in the car. I need the horn to work properly so I can get the car to pass inspection. Right now I don't really care if the security light is on because the car starts just fine, just wanting the horn to quit going off randomly. I would appreciate any help, thank you.

12-11-2014, 03:51 PM

Injuneer

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Join Date: Nov 1998

Location: Hell was full so they sent me to NJ

Posts: 70,650

Re: Horn won't shut off and security light is on

Sounds like the wiring in the steering column for the horn and the key sensor has intermittent problems.

If they correctly bypassed the PASS-Key system, the "SECURITY" light would not be on. If they installed the bypass resistor in the wiring in the steering column, it's possible that they screwed it up and interfered with the horn wiring, and is providing a constant incorrect resistance, which can turn the SECURITY light on, and disable the PASS-Key system.

Shoebox has good info on the PASS-Key system:

4th Gen LT1 F-Body Tech-PassKey/VATS

Note this statement:

Quote:

If the system detects a fault with the lock cylinder circuit after the engine is already running, the SECURITY lamp will light. The engine will be able to be restarted. This is called “fault enable mode”. (The system saw a good reading from the key at one point during a previous ignition cycle before the failure. So, it considers it a problem and not someone trying to steal the car.) When in fault enable mode, PASSKey protection is disabled until the problem is repaired. Once repaired, the SECURITY lamp will go out about 1 minute after the key is turned on. Fault enable mode will not shut down the engine while you are driving.