VW Horn
December 24th, 2006
Today I was driving home and Noticed a VW Beetle ahead of me had a malfunctioning horn. This particular horn malfunction was rather unfortunate, yet comical. The horn would “honk” (not “beep”) at seemingly random times. Surrounding drivers would stare at the driver of the bug thinking she was honking at them.
This scene may remind you of the movie Little Miss Sunshine, which featured a Volkswagen Micro Bus which had the same problem. My Bug also had a similar problem. It would not honk randomly, but only when turning left, including when going through a drive-thru, which was particularly embarrassing. I had thought this was only an isolated incident until seeing Little Miss Sunshine, and finally witnessing another beetle with the same problem.
After doing a little web searching I was unable to find any beetles with the same problem, but I am sure they are out there, just not documented. Therefore, I have decided to post my solution to the problem.
It is most likely an electrical short somewhere in the steering column. After years of turning, the wires can become worn, and possible exposed so as to short circuit, bypassing the horn button, and “honking” the horn at seemingly random times. An ideal fix would be to remove the steering column and replace the horn wires. If most bug owners are like me, and Im guessing they are, they don’t want to spend the money to replace the wires for a simple horn malfunction.
The easiest way to stop this random horn honking is to disconnect the horn. To do this simply locate the horn’s “speaker” (the part of the horn that actually makes the honking noise). On my 1971 Super Beetle it is located under the front left wheel well, but it may be different for different models. Next, unplug on of the wires connected to the horn. Thats it, you’re done.
The downside to this technique is that you will not be able to use your horn even when you would like to. At the very least you can stop the random honking until you have a chance to properly fix the short in the wires.
3 comments on “VW Horn”
01
but the random honking is what makes driving an old beetle so amazingly fun!!
BEEP BEEP.
02
I had the random hoot too so I disconnected my horn. But now I would like it to work. I took my beetle to my mechanic who suggested I try an auto electrician. Off I went. I had not told the chap that I had simply disconnected it so (at vast expense!) he just reconnected. Problem solved from his perspective. But when I drove off, same old problem. He then referred me to another mechanic as he said I needed to replace the steering bush. The new mechanic had a look, said he did not know the steering bush system on a beetle and so could not fix it. I finally consulted my “How to keep you beetle alive” book (Of course I should have done this first!). The book suggested that one should avoid pulling out the wires as they are a bugger to get back. The suggestion was to simply put tape around the places where the wires are earthing. I plan to try it this weekend. Will let you know how it goes.
03
I just had a similar issue with my 2001 Cabrio. It started intermittently, only when I made right turns, but eventually got to the point that pretty much anytime I turned the wheel more than 30 degrees it beeped. This was pretty funny when someone else was in the car with me, we’d just wave and smile at everyone as though we knew them…but then the horn started getting angry and stuck and was pretty embarrassing in the garage at my office. I ended up having to take fuse for the horn out because I wouldn’t be able to drive down the street with out inciting road rage from everyone around me. My friends were calling me Little Miss Sunshine. I brought it first to my trusty mechanic who said he was nervous about the proximity of the horn pad to the airbag and suggested I bring it to VW. VW fixed it with the following diagnosis : R&R steering wheel and spiral spring, found screws between spring and horn loose. Tightened screws, reinstalled steering wheel, road tested OK. I only paid the initial diagnostic fee which went toward the work that they did. So better than I though it would be…unless my steering wheel falls off.
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