Need Help Solving Horn Issue After Steering Wheel Replacement
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2023
Posts: 38
Likes: 2
From: Miami, FL
Need Help Solving Horn Issue After Steering Wheel Replacement
Hello!
Last year, I purchased a 2009 997.2 C2 manual from a member on Rennlist and the car's steering wheel had been replaced, resulting in an issue with the horn. The car did not come with a multi-function steering wheel from the factory. A prior owner replaced the factory wheel with a Porsche 997 Sport Alcantara wheel (part# 997.347.803.85), but now the horn doesn't work.
With several Porsche specialist mechanics, I've determined that the horns, relays, wiring, fuses, and control module all work properly. I have no airbag lights and the clock spring seems to be fine. However, when the horn button is pushed on the wheel, the horn doesn't honk. We tried reprogramming the car, through a PIWIS, to indicate that a multifunction wheel was installed, but it created a new issue: The horn would only STOP honking when the horn button was pressed. Apparently, the 997.2 wheels are not plug-and-play, as the "new" wheel has a different grounding point than the original one. The new wheel has a grounding wire that plugs into a grounding clip on the metal bracket.
Has anyone successfully done this swap? Basically, I need to reverse the behavior of the horn pressing after coding a multifunction install.
Thanks!
Last year, I purchased a 2009 997.2 C2 manual from a member on Rennlist and the car's steering wheel had been replaced, resulting in an issue with the horn. The car did not come with a multi-function steering wheel from the factory. A prior owner replaced the factory wheel with a Porsche 997 Sport Alcantara wheel (part# 997.347.803.85), but now the horn doesn't work.
With several Porsche specialist mechanics, I've determined that the horns, relays, wiring, fuses, and control module all work properly. I have no airbag lights and the clock spring seems to be fine. However, when the horn button is pushed on the wheel, the horn doesn't honk. We tried reprogramming the car, through a PIWIS, to indicate that a multifunction wheel was installed, but it created a new issue: The horn would only STOP honking when the horn button was pressed. Apparently, the 997.2 wheels are not plug-and-play, as the "new" wheel has a different grounding point than the original one. The new wheel has a grounding wire that plugs into a grounding clip on the metal bracket.
Has anyone successfully done this swap? Basically, I need to reverse the behavior of the horn pressing after coding a multifunction install.
Thanks!
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2023
Posts: 38
Likes: 2
From: Miami, FL
Hey! Yes I solved the problem 
Turns out, the airbag I bought the car with was just bad. I bought a new wheel/airbag and they worked fine. Then I put the new bag in the old wheel, and it worked. When I put the old bag in the new wheel, it did not.
I'd suggest swapping the airbag to test!
You could also try swapping a steering control module. Doing that didn't help my particular issue, but it could help yours! I might have one for sale too.
Turns out, the airbag I bought the car with was just bad. I bought a new wheel/airbag and they worked fine. Then I put the new bag in the old wheel, and it worked. When I put the old bag in the new wheel, it did not. I'd suggest swapping the airbag to test!
You could also try swapping a steering control module. Doing that didn't help my particular issue, but it could help yours! I might have one for sale too.
Rennlist Member
Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 39
Likes: 10
From: Albuquerque NM
I replaced my 997.1 wheel with a 997.2/991.1 wheel. It came with an airbag. The horn works but must be pushed fairly hard and on the 3 o’clock position on the airbag. The horn icon is at the 6 o’clock position and it will not sound the horn. Nor will it work from anywhere else. This is a nuisance I guess but I never use the horn and it will work during an inspection so I am satisfied with it. You might try pushing at various spots on the airbag to see if yours will work.
