How to Replace a Car Horn

Old car horns must be replaced.

Your car horn is the only warning signal another driver will hear, besides your cries of protest, before a potential accident. So, it helps to have an operable horn that is loud enough and audible over common street noises. Horns will fade in sound over time and may be damaged by an accident or electrical failures in the car. If you find it necessary to replace your horn, this is a DIY project that someone with basic car knowledge can accomplish in an afternoon.

Things You'll Need

• Wrench and basic tools
• Replacement car horn

Instructions

1. Pop the hood and locate the horn. These are typically mounted to the grille or on a bracket in front of the radiator.

2. Loosen the hardware that attaches the horn to the car with a hex wrench or screwdriver. Horns are usually mounted with two hex nuts and bolts although some models may use screws to mount the horn. Remove the hardware then remove the horn assembly by sliding it off the bracket.

3. Disconnect the horn's electrical connectors from the wiring harness by depressing the connector tab on the top of the connector then sliding them free of the connection.

4. Connect the new horn connectors and install the new horn on the mounting bracket. Install the mounting hardware. Tighten using the appropriate tool, either a wrench or screwdriver depending on the hardware and mounting bracket.

Tips & Warnings

• Check the fuses in your car's fuse box using a voltmeter if your horn is completely dead and makes no sound at all. Typically, this is a result of a blown circuit or failing electrical connection.

References

• "Popular Mechanics" magazine; Fixing a Dead Horn; Mike Allen; Feb. 2003

Resources

• CarTips: Car Horn that Will Not Shut Off