Horn not working

[isisalar]

Mot due soon, and as far as I can tell, the only non operating Mot item is the horn.It worked intermittently for a while, but is now kaput.
I have had a couple of reminder texts from the Mot station I use,but here's a sign of the times.The owner phoned me today, to advise me to make a booking asap.This from a garage that usually has a waiting list of at least a week.They may well still have.
I was very grateful for the call, and I have known him for many years, but I don't think he was just concerned for me!
I'm going in there tomorrow so they can try and diagnose the problem.
My feeling is that it is the switch because contact cleaner did work once or twice when sprayed on the operating button.
Is it possible to clean the contacts on the button?
If a new arm is needed, any idea of cost?
Anywhere else to check?
I think i saw a post from dickieG recently about this subject and a contact behind the airbag was mentioned?
Thanks
Paul
PS I forgot, where's the horn?

[DickieG]

The horn issue I mentioned was referring to was on a Berlingo with a centre steering wheel/airbag horn button.

As the horn your Xantia is on the end of the stalk and AFAIK it's not very common for the stalk button to fail I'd say your best bet is to look at the horn itself for the fault, they are located just ahead of the N/S/F wheel/behind the bumper so you'll need to at least pull back the wheel arch liner or even pull out the bumper to gain access or if you're really lucky you may just be able to reach up from below to try the first trick which to give the horns (two on a VSX) a whack with a hammer as that often gets them going again especially if you have someone to press the horn button whilst you knock seven bells out of the horns.

[isisalar]

Thanks for that Richard. I'll suggest that to them tomorrow. Hopefully they'll have a ramp free and they won't charge me £60 ph
Got exactly the same problem on the wifes L reg 106/saxo, same advice ?
Thanks
Paul

[DickieG]

Got exactly the same problem on the wifes L reg 106/saxo, same advice ?

Yes Paul, it's worth a try as its free and sometimes gets the horn going.

[isisalar]

Cheers Richard.

[isisalar]

After visit to the garage yesterday it's apparent that my horn(S) are not working.
A few half hearted impacts produced a small sound , but the mechanic's opinion was that I need to replace them.
Do I need to to hit them really hard?
Would an overnight dose of plusgas help?
If so Where?
Thanks
Paul
PS Any advice on the cheapest solution if the hammer treatment doesn't work

[DickieG]

Pardon the pun but from the sound of it you may need to replace the horn/s, as you've managed to get a squeak out of the ones already fitted I'd try a harder whack on the basis of nothing to lose. I don't think that Plusgas will help as I believe that the problem will be inside the horns.

[isisalar]

Love the pun Richard.
Can I just fit any old horn , or do I need some OE.
Thanks
Paul

[DickieG]

You can use other horns but the connector will need changing.

[Northern_Mike]

Pardon the pun but from the sound of it you may need to replace the horn/s, as you've managed to get a squeak out of the ones already fitted I'd try a harder whack on the basis of nothing to lose. I don't think that Plusgas will help as I believe that the problem will be inside the horns.

I tried a harder whack on mine Richard, it solved the problem - this was the Berlingo problem you were referring to! It's worked perfectly ever since that man pulled across me at Heathrow and I gave it a hefty whack.

[Xaccers]

Love the pun Richard.
Can I just fit any old horn , or do I need some OE.
Thanks
Paul

I fitted some airhorns from Halfrauds.
Use the wires to the current horn to control a relay and take a 12v feed from the battery.
It can seem like a tight squeeze but it's an improved sound (you should see the MoT tester jump )

[DickieG]

Now if you had a DS you'd have a town horn (cheep parp), pull the lever further and you'd get the blast of (country) air horn's

[isisalar]

I would like to keep expense to a minimum.If airhorns are the cheapest option, fine, but I'm only looking to get the car through this MOT.Scaring the tester would I'm sure be very amusing,but a pass is really all I'm after.
Do factors, or say GSF do universal horns with idiot proof instructions. I'm not very good with electrics, although I can attach almost anything to anything.
Cheers guys
Paul

[Xaccers]

Most motor factors do a variety of horns.

[DickieG]

I'm not very good with electrics

If you get stuck fitting the horn Paul feel free to give me a shout.