Getting close to inspection time, so I have to deal with an issue that has been giving me a problem for a while.
1996 Cherokee, no cruise. No airbag light. Original owner, 235K miles with no major repairs.
When I honk the horn, it stalls the engine, like right now. The horn will sound. I have gone through the horn system, checked the horns, cleaned contacts, switched relays, and everything is OK. I am thinking that it almost has to be in the column, and that somehow grounding the horn at the wheel is grounding the ignition.
Anyone else had this particular problem?
I think I will bypass the column horn switch and put a button somewhere else. Which wire going into the column is the horn? I don't have a wiring diagram or factory manual.
Any help appreciated.
Greg
MBs
GPWs
Hotrod M38
DJ5
Cherokee

 

Unplug both horns and see what happens when you press the horn button

 

Quit using the horn, use The Finger instead.

 

OK. With both horns disconnected, it still stalls the engine.
Both horns work, tried them independently. I checked them when this all started a while ago, so no apparent shorts there.
So what color is the wire for the horn contact in the column? I think I'll just snip it and run it to another switch.

In something that is probably unrelated but weird anyway, if the driver's door is open, the Jeep will sputter and miss, but not actually stall.
Close the door, runs great. Open the door, engine misses and carries on. (this doesn't happen every time the door is opened, but often enough that it is a nuisance.)
I have added and cleaned grounds all over this Jeep, too.

 

This used to happen to me.
I had to learn not to finger and horn

Looked like an idiot when you'd honk and shut er down in rush hour.

 

Awesome quirk! https://www.cherokeeforum.com/images/smilies/rotfl2.gif kidding.

 

I'm pretty new here and you're scareing me and I'm fearless.

 

These are just irritating quirks.
I bought this Jeep new and it has been the best vehicle I ever had. Extremely reliable and rugged. 234K miles with nothing more than an alternator, radiator, exhaust manifold, two crank position sensors, oil changes every 3500, and keeping up with the rust.
I'd buy another one tomorrow if they still made them.

 

I I had the same problem with my door and what I did was I disconnected the door jamb button and that stopped that I could never find out what the problem was and now I'm having the problem with the horn too I blow the horn and it completely stalls the car out have you figured out either problem cuz I'd like to figure mine out also thanks Barbara

 

Pull the horn relay and see if it still does it, then the horn fuse. Could be grounding out the Automatic Shutdown System (relay) #11 (25amp) is theheadligh delay/horn fuse on a 1993 XJ inside. Power distribution box has horn relay and F15 is the 10amp mini fuse for the relay.

Was there any alarm work done? Anti theft? That would be another link.

 

Had to use my horn for the first time today coming down the street and a car zips in front of me. Instead of stopping when leaving the gas station. I honked the horn threw the finger. Then instantly thought of this thread and thought thank god I didn’t stall.

 

What fixed it I'm having the same issue thanks b a w

 

I would suspect the clockspring in the steering column is shorting to something.

 

From looking at the 95 wiring diagrams, the only link between the horn and the engine running is the grounds or a bus link in the PDC between fuses 3 & 6. Fuse 3 eventually runs off to the horn circuit and interior lighting circuit, and Fuse 6 leads to the fuel pump and shut down relay circuit,

Without digging deep, pull the fuses out of your PDC (fuse box under the hood) and check if any have signs of corrosion.

 

Yes. For the 1996 these would be the 40A fuses #4 & #6 on a bus bar, going to the horn relay and the fuel pump relay. ALSO, the #11 fuse in the fuse block powers the horn relay coil AND WHEN the horn buttons are pushed, the 96 Service Manual says the ground for the horn relay coil is then temporarily provided by the Vehicle Speed Control / Horn Switches.
I'm facing this challenge too. Great inputs. I'll share what I find. One thing. I did fix it with a clean #11 25A fuse to get my horns back, but the main problem is with me still. MERRY CHRISTMAS and Stop the Steal!