Horn...

[Shora]

Well, my horn just stopped working. As with the A/C, everything works perfect and then suddenly stops. No hint of failure.

The horn worked this morning when I locked the car after arriving at my job. When I arrived home, horn didn't chirp when I locked the doors. I turned on the car and still nothing.

I don't thinks that it is the battery since the power locks, windows, and everything else works as it should.

A question for those in the know. Is this a safety item like the seat belts? I have ESP but that want to pay the deductable for a darn horn.

[fastblackmerc]

If you have a test light see if your getting power to the horn.
Check the fuse in the fuse panel.

[Shora]

If you have a test light see if your getting power to the horn.
Check the fuse in the fuse panel.

I guess that I could buy a test light. Where can I look up which wire and fuse is for the horn?

Thanks for your help.

Edit: So is this a safety item? Will it be covered or do I have to pay my share of the esp?

[fastblackmerc]

The horn should be a safety item.

Disconnect one of the horn leads, connect the test light to the connector and ground the other end. When you press the horn button the test light should light up.

Horn fuse is #4 (15A) in the power distrbution box under the hood located on the inner fender near at the back of the battery.

Just remember if the fuse is blown there is usually a short somewhere.

[BruteForce]

I think there is a TSB about the wiring harness getting shorted by rubbing on something or other.

[fastblackmerc]

I believe that TSB was a wiring harness near the throttle body. Don't think it has anything to do with the horn.

[Shora]

Update: I just checked and the horn fuse is blown. So this means that I have a some type of a short?!? To be honest, I don't know what that means except that there is a problem.

How would I go about finding out what is the cause of the short and how do I fix it?
Thanks for the help ya'll!!!


The horn should be a safety item.

Disconnect one of the horn leads, connect the test light to the connector and ground the other end. When you press the horn button the test light should light up.

Horn fuse is #4 (15A) in the power distrbution box under the hood located on the inner fender near at the back of the battery.

Just remember if the fuse is blown there is usually a short somewhere.

[RoyLPita]

Update: I just checked and the horn fuse is blown. So this means that I have a some type of a short?!? To be honest, I don't know what that means except that there is a problem.

How would I go about finding out what is the cause of the short and how do I fix it?
Thanks for the help ya'll!!!

I have seen the horn short out and take the fuse with it.

Keep us posted.

[JMan]

Update: I just checked and the horn fuse is blown. So this means that I have a some type of a short?!? To be honest, I don't know what that means except that there is a problem.

How would I go about finding out what is the cause of the short and how do I fix it?
Thanks for the help ya'll!!!

First of all, did you recently go through deep water (Like in a thunderstorm.) or detail the underhood area of your car? If so spend the fifty cents on a sacrificial fuse and try that first! If you need help tracking down a short, PM me and I'll try to help.

Best luck,

J

[fastblackmerc]

Update: I just checked and the horn fuse is blown. So this means that I have a some type of a short?!? To be honest, I don't know what that means except that there is a problem.

How would I go about finding out what is the cause of the short and how do I fix it?
Thanks for the help ya'll!!!
Step 1. Buy a box of the correct fuses
Setp 2. Replace the horn fuse.
Step 3. Try the horn(s) a few times, if they work OK, no further steps needed, if it blows the new fuse continue.
Step 4. Unplug both horns.
Step 5. Replace blown fuse and plug horn #1 in
Step 6. Try the horn a few times if it works, continue to step 7, if it doesn't work after a few times and the fuse is blown you most likely have a bad / internally shorted horn.
Step 7. Upplug horn #1 and plug horn #2 in, try a few times if it blows the fuse you most likely have a bad / internally shorted horn.
Step 8. Replace shorted / bad horn with a new one
Step 9. Replace fuse in necessary.

Better yet PM me and I'll send you my cell and walk you thru it.

[Shora]

No, didn't drive in deep water or detail under the hood. I will try just replacing the fuse and take it from there.


First of all, did you recently go through deep water (Like in a thunderstorm.) or detail the underhood area of your car? If so spend the fifty cents on a sacrificial fuse and try that first! If you need help tracking down a short, PM me and I'll try to help.

Best luck,

J

[Shora]

Step 1. Buy a box of the correct fuses
Setp 2. Replace the horn fuse.
Step 3. Try the horn(s) a few times, if they work OK, no further steps needed, if it blows the new fuse continue.
Step 4. Unplug both horns.
Step 5. Replace blown fuse and plug horn #1 in
Step 6. Try the horn a few times if it works, continue to step 7, if it doesn't work after a few times and the fuse is blown you most likely have a bad / internally shorted horn.
Step 7. Upplug horn #1 and plug horn #2 in, try a few times if it blows the fuse you most likely have a bad / internally shorted horn.
Step 8. Replace shorted / bad horn with a new one
Step 9. Replace fuse in necessary.

Better yet PM me and I'll send you my cell and walk you thru it.

Great info. It is very clear. I will try this and if it doesn't work then I will take you on this offer.

[ckadiddle]

Step 1. Buy a box of the correct fuses
Setp 2. Replace the horn fuse.
Step 3. Try the horn(s) a few times, if they work OK, no further steps needed, if it blows the new fuse continue.
Step 4. Unplug both horns.
Step 5. Replace blown fuse and plug horn #1 in
Step 6. Try the horn a few times if it works, continue to step 7, if it doesn't work after a few times and the fuse is blown you most likely have a bad / internally shorted horn.
Step 7. Upplug horn #1 and plug horn #2 in, try a few times if it blows the fuse you most likely have a bad / internally shorted horn.
Step 8. Replace shorted / bad horn with a new one
Step 9. Replace fuse in necessary.

Better yet PM me and I'll send you my cell and walk you thru it.

Step 10. Invite annoyed neighbors over for beer/pizza to calm them down!

[Shora]

Well I guess that it wasn't as simple as I hoped. I replaced the blown fuse and the horns still didn't work. I then unpluged each horn and attempted to narrow it down to either the high or low sound horn but still they didn't work.

I can hear them trying to chirp when someone presses the horn while I am really close to them. I can also hear some kind of a click comming from the fuse box behind the battery when one presses the horn.

And lastly, all this playing around with the horn and the new fuse wouldn't blow.

[SergntMac]

And lastly, all this playing around with the horn and the new fuse wouldn't blow. I have replaced the horns on all three of the Marauders I have owned. They are junk, go buy new horns.

[fastblackmerc]

Well I guess that it wasn't as simple as I hoped. I replaced the blown fuse and the horns still didn't work. I then unpluged each horn and attempted to narrow it down to either the high or low sound horn but still they didn't work.

I can hear them trying to chirp when someone presses the horn while I am really close to them. I can also hear some kind of a click comming from the fuse box behind the battery when one presses the horn.

And lastly, all this playing around with the horn and the new fuse wouldn't blow.
Replace both horns. Sounds like they are trying to work but they are broken. If it's still under warranty take it to the dealer. I believe horns are considered safety items.

[Shora]

Replace both horns. Sounds like they are trying to work but they are broken. If it's still under warranty take it to the dealer. I believe horns are considered safety items.

Yeah, I think they are toast. I called ESP and they told me that they are not covered and I will have to use my ESP. I am hoping not to pay the deductable so I will see what the dealer says.

If I have to pay the deductable, then I may just get new and better ones. Any suggestions?

[Shora]

I have replaced the horns on all three of the Marauders I have owned. They are junk, go buy new horns.

Can you please tell me which horns you use and where I can get them?

[magindat]

Go to a mrine supply and buy the loudest boat horn you can get! That'll get 'em out of your way!

[SergntMac]

Can you please tell me which horns you use and where I can get them? Any auto parts store should have replacement horns. If you don't have one near you, shop here...

http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/Product/tf-Browse/s-10101/Pr-p_Product.CATENTRY_ID:2009019/showCustom-0/p-2009019/N-111+10201+600015247/c-10101

[fastblackmerc]

Yeah, I think they are toast. I called ESP and they told me that they are not covered and I will have to use my ESP. I am hoping not to pay the deductable so I will see what the dealer says.

If I have to pay the deductable, then I may just get new and better ones. Any suggestions?
Any FLAPS (Friendly Local Auto Parts Store) should have many horns to choose from. The OEM horns are one high tone & one low tone. Good luck!

[Shora]

Any auto parts store should have replacement horns. If you don't have one near you, shop here...

http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/Product/tf-Browse/s-10101/Pr-p_Product.CATENTRY_ID:2009019/showCustom-0/p-2009019/N-111+10201+600015247/c-10101

I was hoping to find one that uses the same OEM plug for installation. I do like the size of these.

[Shora]

Any FLAPS (Friendly Local Auto Parts Store) should have many horns to choose from. The OEM horns are one high tone & one low tone. Good luck!

A friend suggested that I just pick one up at the junk yard from a used Crown Vic/ Grand Marq.

Any ideas as to which used cars use the same horn?

[fastblackmerc]

A friend suggested that I just pick one up at the junk yard from a used Crown Vic/ Grand Marq.

Any ideas as to which used cars use the same horn?
New horns aren't that expensive.

There is a reason they are called JUNK yards. Or for the more politically correct RECYCLE centers.

[Hotrauder]

Use the search and get hooked up with a set of horns that will fill your trunk and kill small children from a range of 200 yards. TRAIN HORNS. Of course you won't want them but the video will make you laugh and stop stressing so much about your horns, You probably used them once last year and might again this year if you really lose it. Dennis:D

[Shora]

I saw that vid when it was first posted. Very funny indeed. I would trow a rock at him/ on this car if he did that to me. I drive in Miami. The city considered to have the rudest drivers. I use my horns more than I would like. In fact, I was almost hit by a darn taxi driver yesturday and I wish my horns worked.


Use the search and get hooked up with a set of horns that will fill your trunk and kill small children from a range of 200 yards. TRAIN HORNS. Of course you won't want them but the video will make you laugh and stop stressing so much about your horns, You probably used them once last year and might again this year if you really lose it. Dennis:D

[Butch]

My horns did the same thing...Kept blowing the fuse. Turns out that the horns were turned the wrong direction, and they were catching water in them when it rained, or I washed the car, and they filled with water, which shorted them out. Replace by the dealer under normal warranty. As soon as the tech saw the direction they were pointing, he said that he was 99% sure that was going to be the problem. Put new ones on (facing the correct way), and everything was great again.

Just keep this in mind when putting new ones on. They need to be setup so that they can drain....

[jgc61sr2002]

I would go to the dealer. (Check with Ray the Dealer) for the best price.
The factory horns will have the correct mounting bracket and electrical connection.

[SergntMac]

Some where, every where, out there in Marauderland, all of us are beeping our horns, just to check.

Thanks for the reminders, and inspiration from those stuck in traffic...

[Shora]

Good advice!! I don't think that mine where set up wrong but I will be paying extra attention when installing the new ones.


My horns did the same thing...Kept blowing the fuse. Turns out that the horns were turned the wrong direction, and they were catching water in them when it rained, or I washed the car, and they filled with water, which shorted them out. Replace by the dealer under normal warranty. As soon as the tech saw the direction they were pointing, he said that he was 99% sure that was going to be the problem. Put new ones on (facing the correct way), and everything was great again.

Just keep this in mind when putting new ones on. They need to be setup so that they can drain....

[Marauderman]

I have replaced the horns on all three of the Marauders I have owned. They are junk, go buy new horns.
I was gonna ask about this cause mine ,still OEM , done seem to "sound " good and haven't for a long awhile-----thanks MAC---kinda felt they were crap anyway----....sorry ...carrry on.............Tom

[Hotrauder]

Some where, every where, out there in Marauderland, all of us are beeping our horns, just to check.

Thanks for the reminders, and inspiration from those stuck in traffic...

Great idea, Mac. Horney Marauder day. :2thumbs: First Monday of the month? Dennis:beer:

[Bobby Clobber]

Dennis,

Is that horney Marauder or Marauderer Day ?:banana2:

[Hotrauder]

Dennis,

Is that horney Marauder or Marauderer Day ?:banana2:

Bob, once again I was close. That is why I pay you. To pick me up and put me on the mark. thanks:bows:

[RoyLPita]

On the subject of horns, I just received a set of "semi sounding" air horns from a tech who removed them off of a trade.

[Shora]

Ok guys, we have talked for long enough about horns. Now it is time to make you laugh.

Since:

A) I didn't want to take the car to the dealer b/c my deductable is $50.00 (more than the cost of new horns).

and

B) I didn't want to order new horns (my local dealers would all have had to order them) because the problem might have been something other than the horns themselves. Like a problem with a ground, short, etc...

I decided to take the horns off of the CVPI that I bought off of ROYALpita and see if they will work.

They do. :beer:

The worst or funniest part of all is that I am going to leave them on while I figure out what to do next.

Order a new set of horns from The Dealer?

Buy better horns that can still use the OEM plug (suggestions please)?

Leave the CVPI horns in the Marauder and order cheapos for the CVPI?

Just thought that you all deserved a laugh after all the help that you have given me.

[JMan]

The worst or funniest part of all is that I am going to leave them on while I figure out what to do next.

Order a new set of horns from The Dealer?

Buy better horns that can still use the OEM plug (suggestions please)?

Leave the CVPI horns in the Marauder and order cheapos for the CVPI? ****

Just thought that you all deserved a laugh after all the help that you have given me.

Leave the special police-only HD horns on it . . .

J

[jonroe]

A variation..............

I've been noticing that my horns have been sounding anemic for a little while. So I checked yesterday and one horn only (the high one) seems dead and the other one is working. Have others seen one horn dead? I'm still in warrantee so will get it fixed that way but hate to have to go in and hassle my schedule just for that. It may be worth my time to just buy the darn thing and put it in. It is a hassle for my schedule to get a car in for service. That's why I haven't gone in yet to fix the dreaded heated seat indicator light! So far, after 25000 miles, the heated seat light and the horn are the only problems I've had.

Jon