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Horn sounds a bit dodgy

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stevo///m3
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Horn sounds a bit dodgy

Post by stevo///m3 » Fri Dec 15, 2017 7:08 pm

Any ideas??

I beeped it a few months ago when going round a blind corner and it was really weak - I think they are two-tone i.e. one high tone, one low tone. Sounded like one of the tones had dropped out or a dodgy connection wire. After a few beeps (to check it) the sound dropped completely, no sound at all. A few drives later, beeped it to test and back to one of the tones dropping out i.e. really weak sound. So it seems to reset with an on-off cycle but it’s always weak. I think this will be an MOT fail (January coming). When I did my oil change about 6 weeks ago the guy at the Indy said it was all hidden behind the bumper and that would need to come off - which I am reticent about doing due to labour and alignment issues when re-fixing.

Can anyone shed any light or this? Car is an ‘07 M Coupé

Cheers in advance

Stevo
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mr wilks
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Horn sounds a bit dodgy

Post by mr wilks » Fri Dec 15, 2017 7:22 pm

It was a MOT fail for me on my first E86 , there are 2 , in my instance both needed replacing & iirc around £35 each :? didn't get a crazy bill to swap them though so unsure about the bumper off part
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Horn sounds a bit dodgy

Post by ben g » Fri Dec 15, 2017 7:41 pm

Pretty sure these are the 2 horns. I found some old photo's i took when i had my Z4M front bumper off. I imagine your horns are in the same location.

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Horn sounds a bit dodgy

Post by srhutch » Fri Dec 15, 2017 7:48 pm

they have been known to fill with water which leads them to fail.
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Horn sounds a bit dodgy

Post by mr wilks » Fri Dec 15, 2017 7:55 pm

srhutch wrote: Fri Dec 15, 2017 7:48 pm they have been known to fill with water which leads them to fail.
OP does live in Yorkshire so that would tally :oops: :poke: :P
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Horn sounds a bit dodgy

Post by patriot66 » Fri Dec 15, 2017 9:01 pm

There are 2 horns in the lower front corners of the front bumper. They are accessible (just !) through the small lower access panel on the inside of each front wheel arch. One horn is hi-tone and the other lo-tone...can't remember which is which unfortunately.
The one on my near side wasn't working on my last MOT but it wasn't a fail as the other side was working. The horns are very exposed to the weather. I removed the n/s one cleaned everything up, replaced it and still nothing ! There is a small adjuster screw located on the horn which I wound in and out a 1/4 turn at a time and eventually...bingo ! It's been fine for almost a year now. :thumbsup:
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Horn sounds a bit dodgy

Post by mjennings23 » Sun Dec 17, 2017 2:08 pm

I think my low tone is playing up a bit. Works fine initially, but after half a second or so sounds like it dies and just leaves the high tone one on. Will have a look at some point and see if I can find any issue but frankly it still works and it's not like it's needed much!

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Horn sounds a bit dodgy

Post by Bing » Sun Dec 17, 2017 3:24 pm

I had to replace one on my Si - I submitted the part number to Quarry motors or partsgateway, can’t remember which. I believe they are the same as the e46 horns, so there are plenty about. Think mine cost me a tenner.
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Horn sounds a bit dodgy

Post by cj10jeeper » Sun Dec 17, 2017 5:59 pm

I bit the bullet on mine years ago when one stopped and just fitted a triple airhorn in the passenger side void. Way more effective in letting muppets know you're there :)
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Horn sounds a bit dodgy

Post by stevo///m3 » Mon Dec 18, 2017 6:43 pm

OK, that's really helpful - especially Ben's pics :thumbsup:
Doesn't look too bad to sort
Thanks again all.
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stevo///m3
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Horn sounds a bit dodgy

Post by stevo///m3 » Mon Dec 18, 2017 6:44 pm

mr wilks wrote: Fri Dec 15, 2017 7:55 pm
srhutch wrote: Fri Dec 15, 2017 7:48 pm they have been known to fill with water which leads them to fail.
OP does live in Yorkshire so that would tally :oops: :poke: :P
Always one, Andy, always one... :rofl: :D
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Horn sounds a bit dodgy

Post by stevo///m3 » Mon Dec 18, 2017 6:45 pm

Bing wrote: Sun Dec 17, 2017 3:24 pm I had to replace one on my Si - I submitted the part number to Quarry motors or partsgateway, can’t remember which. I believe they are the same as the e46 horns, so there are plenty about. Think mine cost me a tenner.
Even better if they're E46-able, bargain basement prices now those cars
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