Fix for Horn Problem/Delay
#1
Fix for Horn Problem/Delay
If anyone is having problem with their horn being difficult to activate try the following fix:
Note: if you don't feel comfortable taking it apart, please let your dealer do this fix.
1) the contact terminals on mine was corroded hence it was giving me all sort of problems. The contacts are pointed by yellow arrows.
2) use sand paper to clean the contacts.
3) problem completely fixed. I can now press anywhere on the horn button/dome and it would honk immediately.
Note: if you don't feel comfortable taking it apart, please let your dealer do this fix.
1) the contact terminals on mine was corroded hence it was giving me all sort of problems. The contacts are pointed by yellow arrows.
2) use sand paper to clean the contacts.
3) problem completely fixed. I can now press anywhere on the horn button/dome and it would honk immediately.
#5
Dealer said there is no fix
My right side requires a very strong push, left side ok. I went to the dealer yesterday and was told MINI knew of the issue but there was no fix and I had to live with half a horn.
I came here to see if anyone else had a problem.
Since I don't feel comfortable taking it apart I guess I will just alert NHTSA to be sure they have a record of the issue.
I came here to see if anyone else had a problem.
Since I don't feel comfortable taking it apart I guess I will just alert NHTSA to be sure they have a record of the issue.
The following users liked this post:
AnOldBiker (03-29-2018)
#6
My right side requires a very strong push, left side ok. I went to the dealer yesterday and was told MINI knew of the issue but there was no fix and I had to live with half a horn.
I came here to see if anyone else had a problem.
Since I don't feel comfortable taking it apart I guess I will just alert NHTSA to be sure they have a record of the issue.
I came here to see if anyone else had a problem.
Since I don't feel comfortable taking it apart I guess I will just alert NHTSA to be sure they have a record of the issue.
I just had to get it fixed so I asked my Mini SA to take it apart and we knew instantly it was the contact points being corroded. After cleaning the contact points we gave it a thin coat of grease to slow down future corrosion.
#7
Thanks for the insight, so a little bit of moisture or humidity in the car and the point can just get a little corrosion on them ? Driven a couple F56's and F55's , have not had this issue. Thanks for the heads up.
__________________
MINI Guru/ MINI Owner Since 2004 | NEW Lifetime Part Replacement | Local Pickup
Milltek | Genuine MINI | Forge Motorsport | NM Engineering | ECS Performance | M7 Speed
Customer Service Hours: 8am-8pm EST|Sales Team Hours: 8am-11pm | SAT 10am-7pm 800.924.5172
MINI Guru/ MINI Owner Since 2004 | NEW Lifetime Part Replacement | Local Pickup
Milltek | Genuine MINI | Forge Motorsport | NM Engineering | ECS Performance | M7 Speed
Customer Service Hours: 8am-8pm EST|Sales Team Hours: 8am-11pm | SAT 10am-7pm 800.924.5172
Trending Topics
#8
Horn Ring Update
I followed through and lodged a complaint with NHTSA and they opened a case. I gave them my dealers name and number at their request. It appears they took is seriously. My dealer still will not try to fix the issue.
NHTSA phone number is 888-327-4236. My complaint will appear on their webpage.
Be interesting to see if the dealer calls me.
NHTSA phone number is 888-327-4236. My complaint will appear on their webpage.
Be interesting to see if the dealer calls me.
#9
My right side requires a very strong push, left side ok. I went to the dealer yesterday and was told MINI knew of the issue but there was no fix and I had to live with half a horn.
I came here to see if anyone else had a problem.
Since I don't feel comfortable taking it apart I guess I will just alert NHTSA to be sure they have a record of the issue.
I came here to see if anyone else had a problem.
Since I don't feel comfortable taking it apart I guess I will just alert NHTSA to be sure they have a record of the issue.
#10
#11
Mine's also pretty hard to press, and it's hard to make a short honk. Sometimes it would over-do the horn making it sound like I'm mad when I just wanted to do a very short honk.
Updated on 2018/1: dealer cleaned the contacts and now the horn works 10x better. I can make short honks now.
Last edited by hp79; 01-20-2018 at 05:53 AM.
#12
Mine won't do the short honk at all. I have to press it very hard to get any honk and it's always a loud angry honk. I want the short honk back that my R50 had which was very convenient when saying hi or just nicely telling somebody to move along.
I will visit my dealer on Thursday and if they say there's nothing wrong I'll mention the corrosion fix. I'd rather not disassemble my steering wheel.
I will visit my dealer on Thursday and if they say there's nothing wrong I'll mention the corrosion fix. I'd rather not disassemble my steering wheel.
#14
The problem with the horn is actually two fold.
First problem is the delay itself. This is well documented on some newer BMWs. Basically the horn is not a simple relay, the signal goes to the DME first then the DME tell the horn to activate. This is why it's very hard to do a short courtesy honk on our cars. CMIIW, I think I've read somewhere that this is fixable by software update on BMW cars.
Second problem is the corrosion. Basically the metal contacts are not making a full circuit because of the crud/rust on them. The horn button would require excessive push before activating, sometimes it simply refuses to work at all.
You don't have to take off the steering column cover to pop the horn cover. I'd still let the dealer do it just because of the airbag liabilities.
First problem is the delay itself. This is well documented on some newer BMWs. Basically the horn is not a simple relay, the signal goes to the DME first then the DME tell the horn to activate. This is why it's very hard to do a short courtesy honk on our cars. CMIIW, I think I've read somewhere that this is fixable by software update on BMW cars.
Second problem is the corrosion. Basically the metal contacts are not making a full circuit because of the crud/rust on them. The horn button would require excessive push before activating, sometimes it simply refuses to work at all.
You don't have to take off the steering column cover to pop the horn cover. I'd still let the dealer do it just because of the airbag liabilities.
#15
Originally Posted by BadakVT
The problem with the horn is actually two fold.
First problem is the delay itself. This is well documented on some newer BMWs. Basically the horn is not a simple relay, the signal goes to the DME first then the DME tell the horn to activate. This is why it's very hard to do a short courtesy honk on our cars. CMIIW, I think I've read somewhere that this is fixable by software update on BMW cars.
Second problem is the corrosion. Basically the metal contacts are not making a full circuit because of the crud/rust on them. The horn button would require excessive push before activating, sometimes it simply refuses to work at all.
You don't have to take off the steering column cover to pop the horn cover. I'd still let the dealer do it just because of the airbag liabilities.
First problem is the delay itself. This is well documented on some newer BMWs. Basically the horn is not a simple relay, the signal goes to the DME first then the DME tell the horn to activate. This is why it's very hard to do a short courtesy honk on our cars. CMIIW, I think I've read somewhere that this is fixable by software update on BMW cars.
Second problem is the corrosion. Basically the metal contacts are not making a full circuit because of the crud/rust on them. The horn button would require excessive push before activating, sometimes it simply refuses to work at all.
You don't have to take off the steering column cover to pop the horn cover. I'd still let the dealer do it just because of the airbag liabilities.
#16
#21
I was at the dealer yestrday and asked about the horn issue. My 2016 MCS horn only works when you press at about the 7:00 position. I was told they are no longer simply cleaning the contacts, they’re replacing the steering wheel. Of course they’re back ordered at this time. He suggested I call about 2 weeks prior to my next scheduled maintenance.
#22
I was at the dealer yestrday and asked about the horn issue. My 2016 MCS horn only works when you press at about the 7:00 position. I was told they are no longer simply cleaning the contacts, they’re replacing the steering wheel. Of course they’re back ordered at this time. He suggested I call about 2 weeks prior to my next scheduled maintenance.
#23
Insert T25 screwdriver into 3 small holes on the back of the steering wheel and press hard to disengage the clips holding hte airbag in-place
clean contacts as shown in post above
return airbag to steering wheel, line up and press firmly to reattach
Reconnect negative battery terminal
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
NorthWestEuro
MINI Parts for Sale
97
04-27-2020 09:49 AM
Phillip Dobbs
Countryman Wheels, Tires and Brakes
5
09-03-2016 08:48 PM
sukonthorn
MINI Parts for Sale
0
06-07-2016 01:38 AM