V50 Electrics : - Horn going off randomly - yikes!

Jarndyce · Dec 28th, 2016, 19:18

Did it tonight for the first time - very cold evening, so after defrosting, started to manoeuvre and the horn started sounding randomly. Turning off the ignition stopped it.
Tried moving again, and the same thing. Not a regular pulse, like an alarm - random bleeps followed by continuous tone etc.
I can testify that the dual tone horn on a V50 is incredibly loud! (as can my neighbours). So embarrassing.
It then went off randomly with the ignition off.

I've removed the fuse...

Any thoughts? A short in the steering wheel, perhaps...? It only started when I started turning the wheel. Also, almost certainly linked to the cold temperature?

paddyred · Dec 29th, 2016, 11:11

I would first check the steering wheel behind the airbag and insure there is no condensation on or in the switch for the horn. You can remove the airbag without unplugging it. Do not unplug the airbag though or you will turn the SRS light on and have to get a garage to reset it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=csVvMnIX-lM

Jarndyce · Dec 29th, 2016, 12:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by paddyred

I would first check the steering wheel behind the airbag and insure there is no condensation on or in the switch for the horn. You can remove the airbag without unplugging it. Do not unplug the airbag though or you will turn the SRS light on and have to get a garage to reset it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=csVvMnIX-lM

Thank you, paddyred.
Seems like good advice.
I have had a couple of minor windscreen water leaks in the past, and this did occasionally drip onto the steering wheel, although I'm not aware of it happening for a few months.

Davey1984 · Feb 9th, 2020, 10:19

Hi there, the exact same thing happened last night, I'm not great with cars so I disconnected the battery and it has finally stopped for now, can I ask where is the relay switch situated?

Mines a 2010 V50, i drove it around and the horn would keep sounding and I had to press in the horn on the steering column to stop it temporarily and it would again sound randomly.

Did you ever get it sorted and find out what the problem was,

Jarndyce · Feb 9th, 2020, 10:47

Hi
The fuse on mine is in the box in the engine bay on the right hand side.
The fault, as was suggested, was the contacts in the steering wheel shorting due to a water leak from the windscreen dripping onto the steering wheel.
I suspect if it stops when you touch the horn controls, it may be something similar.
I didn’t have to disassemble anything. Once it was thoroughly dried out, all was fine.

Davey1984 · Feb 9th, 2020, 11:36

Perfect thats great thanks for coming back, I've just disconnected the horns by removing the front grill, so fingers crossed when I reconnect the battery there should be no noise, typical that it happened on the day of the worst storm in 7 years haha

Dec 28th, 2016, 19:18	#1
Jarndyce Junior Member Last Online: Apr 6th, 2022 22:37 Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Hertfordshire	Horn going off randomly - yikes! Did it tonight for the first time - very cold evening, so after defrosting, started to manoeuvre and the horn started sounding randomly. Turning off the ignition stopped it. Tried moving again, and the same thing. Not a regular pulse, like an alarm - random bleeps followed by continuous tone etc. I can testify that the dual tone horn on a V50 is incredibly loud! (as can my neighbours). So embarrassing. It then went off randomly with the ignition off. I've removed the fuse... Any thoughts? A short in the steering wheel, perhaps...? It only started when I started turning the wheel. Also, almost certainly linked to the cold temperature?

Dec 29th, 2016, 11:11	#2
paddyred Master Member Last Online: Jul 31st, 2021 13:08 Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Exeter	I would first check the steering wheel behind the airbag and insure there is no condensation on or in the switch for the horn. You can remove the airbag without unplugging it. Do not unplug the airbag though or you will turn the SRS light on and have to get a garage to reset it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=csVvMnIX-lM __________________ Wax On Wax Off!

Feb 9th, 2020, 10:19	#4
Davey1984 New Member Last Online: Feb 9th, 2020 22:56 Join Date: Feb 2020 Location: West Yorkshire	Hi there, the exact same thing happened last night, I'm not great with cars so I disconnected the battery and it has finally stopped for now, can I ask where is the relay switch situated? Mines a 2010 V50, i drove it around and the horn would keep sounding and I had to press in the horn on the steering column to stop it temporarily and it would again sound randomly. Did you ever get it sorted and find out what the problem was,

Feb 9th, 2020, 10:47	#5
Jarndyce Junior Member Last Online: Apr 6th, 2022 22:37 Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Hertfordshire	Hi The fuse on mine is in the box in the engine bay on the right hand side. The fault, as was suggested, was the contacts in the steering wheel shorting due to a water leak from the windscreen dripping onto the steering wheel. I suspect if it stops when you touch the horn controls, it may be something similar. I didn’t have to disassemble anything. Once it was thoroughly dried out, all was fine.

Feb 9th, 2020, 11:36	#6
Davey1984 New Member Last Online: Feb 9th, 2020 22:56 Join Date: Feb 2020 Location: West Yorkshire	Perfect thats great thanks for coming back, I've just disconnected the horns by removing the front grill, so fingers crossed when I reconnect the battery there should be no noise, typical that it happened on the day of the worst storm in 7 years haha

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