Electrical - Intermittent Horn Operation
T-SB-0314-10November 12, 2010
Intermittent Horn Operation
Service Category
Vehicle Exterior
Section
Horn
Market
USA
Applicability
TSB SUPERSESSION NOTICE
The information contained in this TSB supersedes TSB No. EL010-06.
^ Applicability has been updated to include 2007 - 2009 model year Avalon vehicles.
^ Repair Procedure section has been updated.
TSB No. EL010-06 is Obsolete and any printed versions should be discarded. Be sure to review the entire content of this service bulletin before proceeding.
Introduction
Some 2005 - 2009 model year Avalon vehicles may exhibit an intermittent horn operation. In order to improve the horn ground circuit performance between the steering column and the vehicle chassis an improved steering column assembly has been made available.
NOTE
If the steering column is being replaced for ticking noise, please refer to T-SB-0389-09.
Production Change Information
This TSB applies to vehicles produced BEFORE the Production Change Effective VINs shown.
Parts Information
Warranty Information
APPLICABLE WARRANTY
^ This repair is covered under the Toyota Comprehensive Warranty. This warranty is in effect for 36 months or 36,000 miles, whichever occurs first, from the vehicle's in-service date.
^ Warranty application is limited to occurrence of the specified condition described in this bulletin.
Repair Procedure
1. Disconnect the negative (-) battery terminal.
CAUTION
Wait for at least 90 seconds after disconnecting the battery cable to prevent possible airbag deployment.
2. Remove the front door scuff plate LH.
3. Remove the cowl side trim sub-assembly LH.
4. Remove the instrument panel finish lower panel LH.
5. Remove the instrument panel airbag assembly lower No.1.
6. Remove the steering wheel cover lower No.2.
7. Remove the steering wheel cover lower No.3.
8. Remove the steering column cover LWR.
A. Remove the 2 screws. Turn the steering from right to left to access the 2 screws.
B. Disengage the 2 claws to remove the steering column cover LWR.
9. Disengage the claw and remove the steering column cover.
10. Place front wheels facing straight ahead.
11. As a confirmation test run a temporary jumper wire from the top steering column bracket to a known good body ground that is NOT on the steering column.
12. Reconnect the negative (-) battery terminal.
NOTE
Be sure to remove the temporary jumper wire after testing is complete.
13. Verify that the horn does work.
A. If the horn does work go to step 14.
B. If the horn does NOT work perform normal system diagnosis for other related ground issues and/or functional electrical checks.
14. Replace the steering column. Refer to the Technical Information System (TIS) applicable model year Avalon Repair Manual:
2005 Avalon:
"Steering - Steering Column: Assembly"
2006 / 2007 / 2008 / 2009 Avalon:
"Steering - Steering Column - Steering Column Assembly: Removal"
15. Confirm proper operation of horn.
NOTE
If vehicle is equipped with SMART key be sure to perform the ECU code registration procedure "F"
Refer to the TIS, applicable model year Repair Manual:
16. Re-initialize any affected power systems.