redlineblue

02 C2 horn problem:
I discovered a few weeks ago, while being run out of my lane by an iPhone Explorer, that my horn doesn't work. Tested the horns themselves (fine), checked the fuse (ditto), then replaced the relay, whereupon the horn worked.
Twice. I honked once to confirm operation, again to toot g'bye to the helpful shop, and 3 days later-- today-- found the horn inop again.
Thanks in advance for help!

Hurdigurdiman

Try another relay. You can probably swap one from the same place under the dash. You will need to be able to do a hand stand though lol. You may have got a dodgy one from the shop.

sjg1138

Often the horn contacts in the steering wheel itself go bad. if i recall the symptom is usually that the horn goes off when you go over bumps though this may vary.

https://rennlist.com/forums/996-foru...-problems.html
http://www.renntech.org/forums/topic...274#entry11274

gnat

That's the grommets on the airbag plate failing.

If it was the relay last time, I bet it's the same this time. If so, I expect there is a short somewhere toasting the relay.

redlineblue

>>If so, I expect there is a short somewhere toasting the relay.

Ugh. If I'm chasing shorts, I'd prefer they were clinging to my dealership's barista...

porschedog

I had to replace one of the horns in the GT3 when I got it. With just one "honking" it sounded like a seal being strangled. Very embarrassing when you are trying to shame the Lexus-driving schmuck who just cut you off in traffic.

porschemikeandnancy

Separate subject but related. The horn in my '03 C4 Cabriolet sounds "puny". I'm almost embarrassed to use it. Anyone else have the same issue?

ZuffenZeus

Same here... I was expected something more manly. It's like a 300 pound body builder with a wiener the size of a 2 year old.

white out

I liked it in my '99 when I would make a sharp right in parking lots and the horn would honk.

MotoJB

My 996 TT horn doesn't work...didn't work when I bought it. Have to figure out what it is.

talkenrain

I purchased my 996 with a non functional horn. I replaced the fuse, then did the grommet fix. That made the relay click again but still no honk. I later discovered both horns where non functional. After searching parts cars for two functional horns I ended up at a u-pull-it junk yard where I found two BMW 6 series horns. They work great and sound better than the original and very inexpensive. Total invested about $25 and a lot of project time

MotoJB

Mine still won't work...so I'm relying upon my middle finger.

redlineblue

Update: It's (somewhere in) the ignition switch. The relays I presumed blown tested fine. So I put the original back in. I then sounded the horn, with the car off. Turned the car on and pressed horn button: silence. Continued to hold horn button down, turned car off: HONNK.
These cars. They have an interesting sense of humor.

5CHN3LL

The car has two horns - the little pathetic one you hear when arming the alarm with a fault, and the other "makes other drivers crap themselves" which is much less pathetic. It shouldn't be as bad as what you're describing if the "main" horn is actually functional.

Some previous owners have also jacked around with the horn wiring to "solve" the issue where the bushings in the steering wheel get saggy or the bracket is overtightened and the horn sounds incessantly, so you may want to verify that the wiring has not been modified...

Andrew Stowell

I have the same problem. I knew the horn worked because I accidentally hit it while changing the clutch helper spring, but then it failed inspection for the horn not working.

Tried to honk it when driving, nothing. Get home, turn off the car, try the horn, HONK. Turn to key to on, nothing.

I don't use the horn often anyway, so it's not a big deal. Would be nice to know what in the ignition switch needs to be replaced to get the horn to work though.