Thread: 1997 Lesabre Annoyances

Hey all... my 2004 Impala SS was rear ended on the expressway a couple of months ago (stopped for traffic backup, guy driving van behind me was ****ing around on his phone or something, not paying attention, rear ended me and knocked my car into a ditch) and I've decided to take a break from performance modding. Bought a 1997 Lesabre as a simple, cheap DD. 138K on the clock, new tires, $750.... so not bad for a boring car.

Anyway, replaced all the typical engine parts and gaskets, usual stuff.... but I have a few interior things bugging me and wondered if any of you could offer input:

Horn does not work... found that the horns had actually been disconnected. When plugged in they will blow constantly.

Car chimes constantly if key is not in accessory or run position.... it seems to believe that I am leaving the key in the ignition even if I remove it. This is on the same fuse as the horns, not sure if related. Most likely the key in switch or wiring has an issue, though. No ignition issues at all, however.

Radio controls on the steering wheel do not function. Radio is factory, radio controls on face of radio work fine.

Could all of these issues be related, as they are all on the steering column? Clock spring etc? Or are all the issues likely separate? The multi function switch works perfectly fine. Airbag lights work properly and clear when car starts.

Originally Posted by Impala131

Hey all... my 2004 Impala SS was rear ended on the expressway a couple of months ago (stopped for traffic backup, guy driving van behind me was ****ing around on his phone or something, not paying attention, rear ended me and knocked my car into a ditch) and I've decided to take a break from performance modding. Bought a 1997 Lesabre as a simple, cheap DD. 138K on the clock, new tires, $750.... so not bad for a boring car.

Anyway, replaced all the typical engine parts and gaskets, usual stuff.... but I have a few interior things bugging me and wondered if any of you could offer input:

Horn does not work... found that the horns had actually been disconnected. When plugged in they will blow constantly.

Car chimes constantly if key is not in accessory or run position.... it seems to believe that I am leaving the key in the ignition even if I remove it. This is on the same fuse as the horns, not sure if related. Most likely the key in switch or wiring has an issue, though. No ignition issues at all, however.

Radio controls on the steering wheel do not function. Radio is factory, radio controls on face of radio work fine.

Could all of these issues be related, as they are all on the steering column? Clock spring etc? Or are all the issues likely separate? The multi function switch works perfectly fine. Airbag lights work properly and clear when car starts.

I think Scotty said if the radio controls don't work, it's a clock spring.

I am going with clock spring as my final answer as well. I do believe that would cause the issue with the horn.

Except..it's probably peanut butter switches..

Gotta know an H body to understand

Alright guys, for the horn switches... Bill was indeed correct. The buttons are garbage. I simply bought a pushbutton at radioshack, bypassed the factory horn wiring and wired up my own button instead (out of the way of the airbag assembly, of course).

Pretty sure the ignition/key reminder chime is just a faulty part in the ignition cylinder, if I give the whole cylinder a few taps the noise stops.

For the radio buttons, I'm still not positive, but it appears that the wiring harness behind the air bag assembly is pinched. The buttons themselves seem to have continuity when pressed. I didn't spend too much time on this issue, as it was not much of a concern for me.

Thanks to all for the ideas!

Interesting.. pinched wires will cause issues for sure.

The peanut butter switches ... were a piece that pushed the microswitch when you pushed the button. It was made of some crappy rubber that wasn't hard enough and the answer was to cut toothpicks.. dip the end in jb weld to round them off and then use that.. it worked great.

is the air bag light on too? no air bag light and the pinched looking wires could be the issue.

Scotty, no air bag light (except for a moment during key on, of course... the light itself works).

Not sure why the wires were pinched, perhaps someone took the airbag assembly out at some point, and installed it with the bracket pinning the wires against the wheel.