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Car Maintenance and Repair
How to Fix a Broken Car Horn Download Article Reviewed by Jason Shackelford
Last Updated: March 10, 2025 References
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How to Fix or Replace a Quiet Car Horn
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No Sound
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Q&A
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Tips
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Warnings
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Things You'll Need
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This article was reviewed by Jason Shackelford. Jason Shackelford is the Owner of Stingray Auto Repair, a family owned and operated auto repair shop with locations in Seattle and Redmond, Washington. He has over 24 years of experience in auto repair and services, and every single technician on Jason’s team has more than 10 years of experience. This article has been viewed 525,546 times.
A car horn is an important element of a properly functioning vehicle. You may encounter several problems with a car horn including a horn that blows at a lower tone than is normal or a horn that does not blow at all. Fixing a broken car horn can often be a do-it-yourself project. However, when the damage requires that other parts of the car be removed, such as the driver side airbag, you will need to call in a professional.
Steps
Method 1 Method 1 of 2:
How to Fix or Replace a Quiet Car Horn
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1 Determine the problem with your horn. Identifying the type of broken car horn you have will help you decide how to approach the fix.
2 Pop the hood and have someone press the horn if it is sounding at low volume. Many cars have 2 or more horns. If the sound of the horn is low when you press it, 1 or more of the horns has stopped working. Advertisement
3 Locate the horn or horns on the radiator core support or behind the car's grille.
4 Remove the wire connector. The horn should resemble a fuse with wires coming out of it. To remove the wire connector, press down on the lower end of the connector and then pull the wiring out. Remove the mounting bolt and the spade lugs, which are attached to the wiring. Clean the components and then reattach them. Ask your helper to honk the horn again.[1]XResearch source
5 Purchase a replacement horn if cleaning the horn parts does not fix your reduced sounding car horn. You may choose to replace the broken horn with the exact horn originally installed in the car or you may choose a universal car horn.[2]XResearch source
Advertisement Method 2 Method 2 of 2:
No Sound
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1 Check the fuse box if your horn will not make any sound. Read your owner's manual to find the location of your car's fuse box. Your owner's manual will also inform you of the specific fuse connected to the operation of the car horn.[3]XResearch source
2 Remove the fuse with a pair of tweezers, needle-nosed pliers, or a pair of regular pliers. You may also be able to remove the fuse with your fingers. Your fuse has failed if the metal strip inside it is broken.[4]XResearch source
3 Replace the fuse if it is faulty. You can purchase replacement fuses from an auto supply store. Install the appropriate fuse and then have your helper try the horn again.[5]XResearch source
4 Check to see if the airbag light is illuminated on the dashboard if there is no problem with your fuse.[6]XResearch source
A problem with the airbag can result in a malfunctioning horn. If the airbag has expanded, it may be interfering with the component called a clock spring that allows power to reach the horn button from the relay coil which connects to the horn itself.
5 Take your vehicle to a professional mechanic if the airbag light is illuminated.
If your airbag has expanded, a professional mechanic will need to remove and then properly reinstall the airbag. A mechanic can determine other possible issues with your horn if you have been unable to isolate the problem.
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Community Q&A
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Question When I replace the horn fuse with a new fuse and press the horn button, the fuse blows? Could I need a new relay switch? Community Answer It sounds like you have a short. One of your horn wires probably rubbed the insulation off or disconnected from the horn and is shorting out. Go to an auto parts store or any mechanic or electrician and see if they will test your horn wires. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 6 Helpful 21
Question Where is the horn located in a 2011 Toyota Camry? Community Answer Open the bonnet. It should be in the middle of the radiator. You will see it right in front. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 5 Helpful 8
Question My car horn will only blow when the wheel is at a certain angle. How do I fix this? Community Answer If the horn only blows when the wheel is at a certain position, make sure that the steering column is not touching the wire from the horn to the battery (this could require you to open up the car). Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 13 Helpful 18
See more answers Ask a Question 200 characters left Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Submit Advertisement
Tips
A bad clock spring, which allows the steering wheel to turn and receive an electrical charge to the horn, could also be at the root of your broken car horn. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
A universal horn will have a different sound from the original horn you are replacing. You will also have to make some adjustments when installing a universal horn. Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0
Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published Name Please provide your name and last initial Submit Thanks for submitting a tip for review! Advertisement
Warnings
Be careful to replace a blown fuse with one that has the same amperage. Thanks Helpful 16 Not Helpful 18
A blown fuse could mean that there are bigger problems with your car than the broken car horn and an automotive check-up may be in order. Thanks Helpful 17 Not Helpful 25
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Things You'll Need
Replacement horn
Replacement fuse
Owner's manual
Needle-nosed pliers, tweezers, or regular pliers
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Reviewed by: Jason Shackelford Auto Technician This article was reviewed by Jason Shackelford. Jason Shackelford is the Owner of Stingray Auto Repair, a family owned and operated auto repair shop with locations in Seattle and Redmond, Washington. He has over 24 years of experience in auto repair and services, and every single technician on Jason’s team has more than 10 years of experience. This article has been viewed 525,546 times. 45 votes - 74% Co-authors: 13Updated: March 10, 2025 Views: 525,546 Categories: Car Maintenance and Repair In other languages Spanish French Portuguese Italian German Chinese Indonesian
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Reader Success Stories
Kim Walls
Jul 23, 2019
"Thank you, this was very helpful. Now I know what might be the problem with my car horn; that way I can tell the auto mechanic the problem. "..." more
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Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Reviewed by: Jason Shackelford Auto Technician 45 votes - 74% Click a star to vote Co-authors: 13Updated: March 10, 2025 Views: 525,546
Kim Walls
Jul 23, 2019
"Thank you, this was very helpful. Now I know what might be the problem with my car horn; that way I can tell the auto mechanic the problem. "..." more
Anonymous
Jan 31, 2024
"Your article on non working car horn taught me things I can do before consulting my mechanic. Thanks."
Sue George
Apr 4, 2016
"Just what to look for re: horn not working and pics are a great help."
Jules
Mar 4, 2017
"Thanks for your help, great stuff." Share yours! More success stories Hide success stories
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Reviewed by: Jason Shackelford Auto Technician This article was reviewed by Jason Shackelford. Jason Shackelford is the Owner of Stingray Auto Repair, a family owned and operated auto repair shop with locations in Seattle and Redmond, Washington. He has over 24 years of experience in auto repair and services, and every single technician on Jason’s team has more than 10 years of experience. This article has been viewed 525,546 times. 45 votes - 74% Co-authors: 13 Updated: March 10, 2025 Views: 525,546 Categories: Car Maintenance and Repair In other languages Spanish French Portuguese Italian German Chinese Indonesian 
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1 Determine the problem with your horn. Identifying the type of broken car horn you have will help you decide how to approach the fix. 
2 Pop the hood and have someone press the horn if it is sounding at low volume. Many cars have 2 or more horns. If the sound of the horn is low when you press it, 1 or more of the horns has stopped working. Advertisement 
3 Locate the horn or horns on the radiator core support or behind the car's grille. 
4 Remove the wire connector. The horn should resemble a fuse with wires coming out of it. To remove the wire connector, press down on the lower end of the connector and then pull the wiring out. Remove the mounting bolt and the spade lugs, which are attached to the wiring. Clean the components and then reattach them. Ask your helper to honk the horn again.[1] 
5 Purchase a replacement horn if cleaning the horn parts does not fix your reduced sounding car horn. You may choose to replace the broken horn with the exact horn originally installed in the car or you may choose a universal car horn.[2] Advertisement 
1 Check the fuse box if your horn will not make any sound. Read your owner's manual to find the location of your car's fuse box. Your owner's manual will also inform you of the specific fuse connected to the operation of the car horn.[3] 
2 Remove the fuse with a pair of tweezers, needle-nosed pliers, or a pair of regular pliers. You may also be able to remove the fuse with your fingers. Your fuse has failed if the metal strip inside it is broken.[4] 
3 Replace the fuse if it is faulty. You can purchase replacement fuses from an auto supply store. Install the appropriate fuse and then have your helper try the horn again.[5] 
4 Check to see if the airbag light is illuminated on the dashboard if there is no problem with your fuse.[6] 
5 Take your vehicle to a professional mechanic if the airbag light is illuminated. 
Community Answer It sounds like you have a short. One of your horn wires probably rubbed the insulation off or disconnected from the horn and is shorting out. Go to an auto parts store or any mechanic or electrician and see if they will test your horn wires. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 6 Helpful 21 
Community Answer Open the bonnet. It should be in the middle of the radiator. You will see it right in front. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 5 Helpful 8 
Community Answer If the horn only blows when the wheel is at a certain position, make sure that the steering column is not touching the wire from the horn to the battery (this could require you to open up the car). Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 13 Helpful 18