So, you are here to figure out how to fix a car horn. Well, you have come to the right place because it is imperative to have a car horn that works for a few reasons. First, having a working car horn can help other vehicles around you and pedestrians know you are around. This way, you can prevent accidents and awful collisions. Secondly, a horn can be perfect for pulling in the driveway and alerting your family you are ready to go.
Still, there are times when a car horn fails at the worst times. Hopefully, this will not happen to you at the direst of times. However, if your horn ever does fail, you need to fix it as soon as possible. Check off these individual component steps to make sure that you get your horn working again soon.
Fix A Car Horn: Step by Step Guide
#1 – Looking At The Fuse
The owner’s manual can help you find the fuse box with ease. In most vehicles, the fuse box is close to the driver’s side dashboard. Other times, you can find this near the engine bay.
Once you find the fuse box, look at the back panel of the box. There is a diagram that can show you where the fuse for the horn is. If you cannot find a diagram, check the manual for more info. When you find the right fuse, pull it out with pliers.
Check out the fuse when you have it out of the box. If there is a break in the fuse wire, then you have a fuse that has blown up. You will need to purchase a new fuse and add it to your box, so the car horn will work.
#2 – Having A Relay Check
After you have checked the fuse, while still having an issue, you need to look for the horn relay. Under the hood of your vehicle, you can find the relay box. Unfortunately, the only way to figure out if the relay works or not is to replace it with another relay.
Luckily for you, most businesses will swap out relays with you to give you identical ones. If the relay works after a replacement, but the horn still does not work, it is time to move on to the next step.
#3 – Relay Switch Test
The relay switch should be next on your list. By using a multimeter, use the Ohms measurement to proceed with the relay switch test. When you remove the relay, use the multimeter probe at the car’s battery negative terminal. If you have a family member or friend around, they can help you press the horn button on your steering wheel.
To this point, if you see “out of limits” on your multimeter, then your relay switch has gone very bad. A replacement should be at hand. However, if your relay switch is good to go, it is time to move onto another possibility.
#4 – Horn Switch Workability
After the relay switch, it is time to move onto the horn switch. Unfortunately, this step is going to be the most difficult to fix. The horn switch is in the pad of the steering wheel. First, remove the wheel pad to get to the switch.
However, you will likely run into an airbag after removing the pad. You should be very careful when working on this. If you do not feel confident working on this step, it may be time to take the vehicle into a trained mechanic who can get it done quickly. Still, you will have to fork out some money to make this happen.
No matter how you get past the airbag, you will be able to depress the electricity flow to the horn, so you can get sound again. Make sure to replace the pad on your steering wheel or your horn will never work. This is a safety mechanism that every vehicle has.
#5 – Testing Time
Now that you have done everything humanly possible to fix your car horn, it is time for a wonderful test of the horn itself. For most vehicles, the horn is mounted right behind the car grille. Still, others have theirs on the radiator core of the car itself.
When you have found the horn, take the connector from the horn. Use a jumper wire and connect the horn at its positive terminal. The other end should connect to your car’s battery. For the negative sides, connect to the horn negative terminal and your battery as well.
As you connect the negative terminals, do not be surprised if the horn works at this point. Still do not have sound at this point? Looks like it might be time for a horn replacement. But, there is still one more thing you can try: the horn circuit.
#6 – Horn Circuit Problem Solving
Checking the circuit of the horn is the last line of defense before a full-on replacement. There could be a wiring problem, so test the ground side of the wiring first. The owner’s manual is a great place to start here. By using a multimeter again, with the help of Ohms, you can check for an “out of limits” reading or not. If the circuit has no problems, then you guessed that it is time for the replacement.
#7 – Replacement Of The Horn
Replacing a horn is the last thing on the list. You can buy a brand new one, or head over to a junkyard and salvage a perfectly good horn from a trashed vehicle. No matter what you decide, take your time and get professional assistance if you are ever unsteady about the project.
Final Verdict
By following these 7 steps, you will surely find the horn problem with your vehicle. Each step will take the necessary time for you to brainstorm the issue. But, when you find the problem, you will be able to focus on the task at hand and celebrate when you have fixed it to perfection, blasting the horn for all to hear.
Remember that the value of a vehicle’s horn is very important for anyone on the road in the 21st Century. With this in mind, fix the problem as soon as you can, so you will be safe wherever you roam. Now, go out there and drive your car safely and with great enjoyment. You never know how many rides you have left, so do not take the open roads for granted. Happy trails on the road called life!