Horn Problem

[Brockmeister]

Hi Folks,
Has anybody had a problem with the horn being too sensitive? If I hit the brakes really hard, the horn blows. Can I take the airbag cover off without disconnecting the battery? I've had a lot of cars, but none with this problem.

[Speedy164]

I just got this same problem started doing it today, sometimes randomly honks when i step on the brake and turning to the next street.. i need help with this as well

[vath2001]

Airbag bracket. The bushing are wearing out. Two options: Try to use some hose or tubing to reinforce the bushing... or spend $60 buck at Suncoast Porsche for a new bracket.

[paintboy]

Originally Posted by vath2001

Airbag bracket. The bushing are wearing out. Two options: Try to use some hose or tubing to reinforce the bushing... or spend $60 buck at Suncoast Porsche for a new bracket.

I wedged a piece of thin black cardboard in the gap at the top of the wheel....that was 2 years ago...horn still works when I want it to but no longer lets me know every time I run over a dime...

[rburro2]

I recently bought a 2000 Boxster. I noticed the horn didn't work. So I checked fuse B3 and it was blown. When I replaced the fuse the horn was as if someone was holding it on, without the steering wheel being touched, until the fuse blew again. Obviously there is a horn switch in the steering wheel. Will the rubber bushing behind the bracket cause this?

[Pdwight]

But most folks have no idea how much current a horn uses when that giant buzzer is running....it is substantial ....many amps

[Brockmeister]

Thanks for the info Vath. I searched online and Rennlist has quite a few threads on the topic. It appears that this is common for the 996's as well. I put some stiff foam pieces where the grommets are, giving the horn connection more resistance. took about an hour. If this craps out I will get the actual bracket later. I could now replace it in about a 1/2 hour.

[Mark_T]

3rd option: buy a 3-spoke wheel!

[SeanZ4]

I have the 3-spoked wheel. My '00S was doing this before I bought the car. It was one of the things the p-dealer fixed up front. It didn't have anything to do with the steering wheel horn switch but rather down and up front at the horns themselves. I think there was a rubber gasket / grommet or something like that, that had fallen out or worn out. The horn was making contact with the bracket and going off every time the brakes were applied... I don't know?? just another thought???

[Brockmeister]

Sean, you are correct. As I stated earlier, I fixed the problem with foam. I also called Suncoast and they said the part costs $62 bucks. My foam fix was free.

[jesseborgelt]

My horn started honking when the brakes were applied. I read this forum and found sound advice. I choose to try an alternative that worked and I thought I would share. I removed the two screws and pulled out the airbag. I then loosened the 4 bolts and removed the bracket. I applied a few beads of glue from a hot glue gun around the bushings, allowing it to dry briefly between the two layers. The end result is a fast fix that can immediately be reinstalled. The glue is semi-flexible when dry and is similar to the bushing in my opinion. Total cost under $1.

[RandallNeighbour]

Sheesh. I paid $212 at a dealer for this my first week of ownership 8 years ago :0

[jesseborgelt]

Originally Posted by RandallNeighbour

Sheesh. I paid $212 at a dealer for this my first week of ownership 8 years ago :0

Damn, $211 savings.....

[milliemax]

Randall, Don't feel bad as the PO paid $339.40 to replace the pad and retaining frame @ 79511 miles.

[les]

I am about to replace for the 3rd time ('99 with 105k). First time I tried all the fixes to beef up the rubber grommets that were failing. Worked for awhile and then failed. So I got a new bracket. Just a crap design. Air bag weighs too much and it will eventually wear out the thin rubber. Right now it is beep/beeping when it gets really hot out and the rubber becomes real pliable. Soon it will happen even on a cool day. I found a Torx unit at Home Depot that was long enough to engage for under $10 and has multiple other Torx heads on it as a bonus.

[mistermac99]

My horn is not blowing, except when I touch it, but man is it ever sensitive to touch. I can just rest my hand on top of the air back section, and it blows.

Is this normal, or is mine getting ready to have the same issues as above?

[yellowboxsters]

I've got the 3 spoke steering wheel in mine and the horn started working intermittently and now does not work at all. Is it the airbag carrier or something else? Tried pressing both sides of the airbag cover where the horn markings are but to no avail.

[Rob175]

SIMPLE SIMPLE FIX.....I bought a package of black foam weather stipping at Home depot.....cut a few small pieces, pulled off the sticky side tape so all I had was just black foam and using a small dull blade neatly pushed it in the 4 spaces located on the 4 steering wheel spokes between the horn plate and the round steering wheel...........they prevent the horn from jiggling and going off prematurely......tokk 10 minutes and cost about $5...........It lasts for about 4 years before I need to replace the foam with newer foam.........have done it twice in 10 yrs.

[Rob175]

A VERY SIMPLE SIMPLE FIX.....I bought a package of black foam weather stipping at Home depot.....cut a few small pieces, pulled off the sticky side tape so all I had was just black foam and using a small dull blade neatly pushed it in the 4 spaces located on the 4 steering wheel spokes between the horn plate and the round steering wheel...........they prevent the horn from jiggling and going off prematurely......tokk 10 minutes and cost about $5...........It lasts for about 4 years before I need to replace the foam with newer foam.........have done it twice in 10 yrs.

[Gregtenerife]

I recently did mine but all I did was bend the brackets outward by a couple of milimeters in each of the four corners where the horn contacts are. It took me about ten minutes.