[vijaycool]

Originally Posted by libranof1987

At times, the horn sounds weak even without a/c. When I press, it first starts out as if there's cloth on it and after a fraction of a second, it comes to it's regular tone.

Any of the check you mentioned DIY? Else I'll have it checked with a local mechanic.



Unlikely. I'm facing this problem since a month now and at time in the middle of the way. Also, there has been no rain and the car washer uses as little water as possible.

Check the horn when engine is not running. Do you feel loud. If yes then it needs horn adjustment. There is also other possibility the contact breaker points inside the horn got corroded.

[dhanushs]

Originally Posted by libranof1987

My Corsa's horn has been acting up of late.

.....

Any pointers?

I have a feeling that just a turn of the adjuster screw in the horn, in the right direction might solve it.

but, as a precautionary measure, check the voltage across the terminals, while idle, engine off, and while revving.

[hothatchaway]

Folks - the horn on my 6+ years Alto K10 is emitting a faint peep after the I have let the AC run for a while. This phenomenon has repeated itself often enough for me to isolate this connection with the AC also running, as it is otherwise fine. I have recently moved the car to the searing heat of Kolkata after spending 6 balmy years in Bangalore.

Does the alternator need looking at?

[R2D2]

Originally Posted by hothatchaway

Folks - the horn on my 6+ years Alto K10 is emitting a faint peep after the I have let the AC run for a while. This phenomenon has repeated itself often enough for me to isolate this connection with the AC also running, as it is otherwise fine. I have recently moved the car to the searing heat of Kolkata after spending 6 balmy years in Bangalore.

Does the alternator need looking at?

Yes, check the alternator output for proper voltage at idle and then at about 2000-2500 RPM. Voltage should be between 13.8 -14.4 V in both cases. All electrical accessories must be switched off.

If alternator checks out fine proceed to check the battery terminals for loose connections and corrosion. Then check horn wiring for voltage drops across the terminals. Remember to test on both negative and positive cables/wires.

This is a simple DIY but you need a digital multi-meter. Or take the car to a MASS or a good auto electrician. There's also a possibility that the horn may be failing.

[rohan_iitr]

The horn in my i10 has suddenly become very weak. Its sound output is probably 100 times lesser than what it is supposed to be.

The car is 10+ years old and this is the first time that the horn has given any trouble.

The car battery is also 5+ years old, but I am able to start the car, so I guess it won't be a battery problem.

What could be the issue ?

I am not using the car much these days, hence I don't feel like visiting the service centre for this reason alone, considering the covid situation. But, having a non-working horn is also a safety issue.

Rohan

[R2D2]

Originally Posted by rohan_iitr

The horn in my i10 has suddenly become very weak. Its sound output is probably 100 times lesser than what it is supposed to be. What could be the issue ?

The horns contact breakers are fouled or worn. This requires adjustment. At the back of the horn(s) you will see a small screw that can be turned in or out to adjust the sound output. If this fails there are two options:

a) An auto electrician may be able to open the horn and repair it. This depends on the model of the horn

b) You buy a new horn set either aftermarket or OEM. The choice is yours.

Horns are inexpensive and a must-have safety tool when driving in this country. So please get them working ASAP.

[rohan_iitr]

Originally Posted by R2D2

The horns contact breakers are fouled or worn. This requires adjustment. At the back of the horn(s) you will see a small screw that can be turned in or out to adjust the sound output. If this fails there are two options:

a) An auto electrician may be able to open the horn and repair it. This depends on the model of the horn

b) You buy a new horn set either aftermarket or OEM. The choice is yours.

Horns are inexpensive and a must-have safety tool when driving in this country. So please get them working ASAP.

Thanks for the response.

How easy/difficult is it to access the horn ? Does the front bumper need to be removed ?

I don't have access to an auto electrician. I generally visit the authorised service center for everything. (This is the first time I've had any electrical trouble in the car, the car has been mostly trouble free - touch wood)

Rohan

[R2D2]

Originally Posted by rohan_iitr

Thanks for the response. How easy/difficult is it to access the horn ? Does the front bumper need to be removed ? I don't have access to an auto electrician. I generally visit the authorised service center for everything. (This is the first time I've had any electrical trouble in the car, the car has been mostly trouble free - touch wood)

I am not sure where the horn is placed in the i10 but most cars have them just behind the front bumper either next to the wheel well or near the radiator. It may require removal of the bumper.

If you are unsure about the replacement procedure please take the car to the ASC after taking an appointment. They will provide you with the correct part(s) and warranty the work.

[scorpian]

Originally Posted by rohan_iitr

The horn in my i10 has suddenly become very weak. Its sound output is probably 100 times lesser than what it is supposed to be

There could be carbon formation on the connecting points.
Or just replace them with new ones.

[Phukan23]

I have installed an OEM Polo horn in my Grand i10. The wiring is spliced from the original wires that connected the OEM Grand i10's horn. The problem is that the horn sounds the way it should at the start of the day or while driving a few kilometers. But after some time, the loudness decreases and continues until the day ends. But again, the next day, it sounds absolutely normal. I don't know what to check, and I am very confused regarding the situation.

[xja1]

Originally Posted by Phukan23

I have installed an OEM Polo horn in my Grand i10. The wiring is spliced from the original wires that connected the OEM Grand i10's horn. The problem is that the horn sounds the way it should at the start of the day or while driving a few kilometers. But after some time, the loudness decreases and continues until the day ends. But again, the next day, it sounds absolutely normal. I don't know what to check, and I am very confused regarding the situation.

The Grand i10's stock horn draws about 3-4 Amps only (assuming your car came with a single stock horn from the factory). The stock wiring is only designed for that much power draw. The Polo horn (assuming you only installed only a single high tone horn) is most likely manufactured by HITGT, which is rated to draw upwards of 6 Amps (almost double the current of your stock horn). The relay, fuse and wires in a Volkswagen Polo are suited specifically for this, while your Grand i10's is not.

Since the Polo horn draws double the current, the thin stock wires providing current to the Polo horn are most likely getting "overloaded" after you use the horn a few times and they become hotter which leads to more resistance, therefore reducing the current flow to the horn. This is risky and you wouldn't want a potential safety hazard, so I would suggest that you avoid this set-up.

Please consider using a horn relay set-up from a proper car workshop if you really need a horn that draws more current than the stock one. Alternatively, you can swap with any other OEM's horn which draws under 4 Amps, without any worries.

[Phukan23]

Originally Posted by xja1

The Grand i10's stock horn draws about 3-4 Amps only (assuming your car came with a single stock horn from the factory). The stock wiring is only designed for that much power draw. The Polo horn (assuming you only installed only a single high tone horn) is most likely manufactured by HITGT, which is rated to draw upwards of 6 Amps (almost double the current of your stock horn). The relay, fuse and wires in a Volkswagen Polo are suited specifically for this, while your Grand i10's is not.

Since the Polo horn draws double the current, the thin stock wires providing current to the Polo horn are most likely getting "overloaded" after you use the horn a few times and they become hotter which leads to more resistance, therefore reducing the current flow to the horn. This is risky and you wouldn't want a potential safety hazard, so I would suggest that you avoid this set-up.

Please consider using a horn relay set-up from a proper car workshop if you really need a horn that draws more current than the stock one. Alternatively, you can swap with any other OEM's horn which draws under 4 Amps, without any worries.

As of now I have opted for a relay and i am using both, low and high tone horns.

[xja1]

Originally Posted by Phukan23

As of now I have opted for a relay and i am using both, low and high tone horns.

In that case, ideally the horns should have worked without any problems. I guess you would have already checked that the relay is at least 20+ Amps to handle both horns. You could also see if your car's battery is showing any signs of weakness like lights dimming or longer cranks on start up.

The only other suspect would be the center bolt of the horns - during installation, was the horn bracket on the Polo horn removed and replaced with another one? Sometimes, loosening and retightening the center bolt can affect the factory tuning and could reduce performance.

Apart from this, the only other solution appears to be to get them re-installed again with a fresh relay, connectors and thicker wiring.