horn no longer functioning..any help please
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,013
Likes: 5
From: NJ: the garbage state
horn no longer functioning..any help please
2009 with 10k miles: went to use my horn the other night and it sounded once then no more after that when i tried again. i have noticed that the passive lock no longer sounds the horn either but only the lights flash. this has occurred for the last few weeks as the car has just been taken out of storage for the winter. i had a vendor on the forum install a HUD display about two years ago but other than that the steering wheel area/wiring has not been tampered with. had no issues after that install.
checked the #2 - 15amp horn fuse under the hood and it's good. when i lock the car with the fob i hear the clicking in the fuse panel which i assume would further indicate that the relay is functioning.
all other things like blinkers and windshield wipers and steering wheel controls are functioning. i did notice today however while attempting to parallel park i heard a warning chime sound and when i looked down at the dash i saw the speedometer needle go all the way to peak (200 i believe) and then reset back to zero.
not sure if the two issues are related but can anyone advise? would my troubleshooting indicate possible horn unit malfunction or connection at the unit?
thank you.
checked the #2 - 15amp horn fuse under the hood and it's good. when i lock the car with the fob i hear the clicking in the fuse panel which i assume would further indicate that the relay is functioning.
all other things like blinkers and windshield wipers and steering wheel controls are functioning. i did notice today however while attempting to parallel park i heard a warning chime sound and when i looked down at the dash i saw the speedometer needle go all the way to peak (200 i believe) and then reset back to zero.
not sure if the two issues are related but can anyone advise? would my troubleshooting indicate possible horn unit malfunction or connection at the unit?
thank you.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 965
Likes: 13
From: turn 12 at Road America or TX
Look for a defective horn relay first. The speedometer thing sounds like a start-up glitch - my '13 runs the tach and speedo to full scale on start-up - don't know about an '09.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 4,974
Likes: 14
From: Pinellas Park Fl
St. Jude Donor '08-'09 & '12, '14
horn no longer functioning... watch for finger 
So other than pressing the horn pad and hearing the relay (?) click and checking the fuse, you've actually done no troubleshooting?
Take a test and see if you are get 12+ to the horn, then test back to the relay.
The relay will have 2 (+) and 1 open - from the horn pad, grounded (-) when the pad is pressed and 1 ground - going to the horn - apply + to this terminal to test horn as well as continuity. The relay is under the hood.
So other than pressing the horn pad and hearing the relay (?) click and checking the fuse, you've actually done no troubleshooting?
Take a test and see if you are get 12+ to the horn, then test back to the relay.
The relay will have 2 (+) and 1 open - from the horn pad, grounded (-) when the pad is pressed and 1 ground - going to the horn - apply + to this terminal to test horn as well as continuity. The relay is under the hood.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,013
Likes: 5
From: NJ: the garbage state
yes. i have been busy working nights. i will dig further into it this week. just wanted to get some ideas or see if there was an obvious known problem.
Former Vendor
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 12,288
Likes: 23
From: League City Texas
Houston Events Coordinator
St. Jude Donor '11-'12, '14
I believe in the Beer Fairy
can easily pull the air bag and see if the white connector is plugged in all the way... possible it coulda came loose but probably not.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 11,367
Likes: 211
From: Edgewood Washington
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13-'14-'15
And if you need to check the horns themselves, and their connector(s), they are located just inboard of the passenger side fog light and there's an access panel underneath.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,013
Likes: 5
From: NJ: the garbage state
just an update. accessed the horns via the panel under the front bumper as was recommended. ended up being a loose connector at the horn itself. i lucked out. who would have thought. easy fix. thank you for your help.
honk if you're happy.
honk if you're happy.
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Former Vendor
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 12,288
Likes: 23
From: League City Texas
Houston Events Coordinator
St. Jude Donor '11-'12, '14
I believe in the Beer Fairy
Glad to hear it was something simple
