Horn Not Working

mikep · Unread post by **mikep** » 06 Sep 2008, 09:51

I was surprised to find my Citroen Xantia 1.8v 1996 failed to pass
its MOT yesterday. The reason was the horn makes just a barely heard
squeak. I rarely use the horn and was unaware of the problem.
My battery is OK can anyone tell me the cause and if I'm in for a lot of
expense.

reblack68 · Unread post by **reblack68** » 06 Sep 2008, 09:56

If it's making a noise at all it's most likely the horn itself or the connections at fault. Both are fairly easily rectified.

MikeT · Unread post by **MikeT** » 06 Sep 2008, 11:02

I think you'll find it's a wiring fault where, although 12v is reaching the horns, there's insufficient current.

You could trace the fault and repair what you find but to save time you could install a new wiring circuit (ala the headlight mod).

i.e. Use the horn feed to operate a relay, that passes the full current direct from the battery to the horns. If you do a search for headlight mod you may find more detailed instructions.

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 06 Sep 2008, 11:32

Would a diagram of the horn circuit be of assistance to you Mike? I can scan and post it if you wish?

Xaccers · Unread post by **Xaccers** » 06 Sep 2008, 17:52

If you need a new horn (rather than it being a wiring issue) let me know, I've got 2 going free as I replaced mine with a somewhat upgraded model

newmezuk04 · Unread post by **newmezuk04** » 06 Sep 2008, 22:26

A replacement from the srappers solved my zx one

Unread post by **Peter.N.** » 07 Sep 2008, 08:54

You can buy new ones for not a lot of money from GSF. Reading this post reminded me how lucky we are to be running oldish cars. I was looking on Honest John's forum a while ago, there was a post from someone running a Corsa, I think it was, he had a no horn function problem, although it worked on the alarm. The advice? 'Go to your dealer and get the fault codes read' I was flabberghasted, ever since I have been repairing cars, which has been many years, the horn circuit was one of the simplest in the car, it has always consisted of a length of wire with the horn on one end and the push button on the other - with a connection to 12v and earth somewhere. Dont buy anything made after the mid '90s!

mooseshaver · Unread post by **mooseshaver** » 07 Sep 2008, 18:56

I used to work for a company that had C15 vans. One of them the noise the pump makes when the screen wash was empty was louder than the horn!
It passed two MOTs like that before another MOT caught it.