Why would my horn go off if I hit the brakes or go over a bump in the road?

Tiny
JCMAURO
  • MEMBER
  • 1999 PORSCHE 996
  • 80,000 MILES
I have a 1999 Porsche 996 and when I hit the brakes or go over a big bump, the horn goes off. I tried to isolate the problem and found that if I hold the steering wheel airbag cover, the horn does not go off. Could the horn activator switch or the airbag bracket be broken? Please let me know what you think. Thank You
Tuesday, October 9th, 2012 AT 8:55 PM

11 Replies

Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
The spring for the horn pad is weak and any vibrations can cause the horn to be activated.
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Tuesday, October 9th, 2012 AT 9:38 PM
Tiny
JCMAURO
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  • 6 POSTS
Does that mean I should replace the spring?
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Tuesday, October 9th, 2012 AT 10:57 PM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
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You can try but might need some modifications if you can't get any replacement parts.
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Tuesday, October 9th, 2012 AT 11:38 PM
Tiny
JCMAURO
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
I checked the repair manual and couldn't find a "spring" in the
Steering wheel assembly. Is the spring part of
another assembly inside the air bag unit? Can your
shop repair this? Please advise. Email me at
jcmauro@yahoo. Com with an idea as to cost.
Thanks.
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Friday, October 12th, 2012 AT 5:59 PM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
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Sorry I do not have any information on this vehicle in our database. The springs could be helical coils or a spring plates depending on design and sre below the buttons or pads. To access them you would need to remove the SRS unit. Such components would not be listed in repair manuals.

How about a picture of the steering wheel?
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Friday, October 12th, 2012 AT 6:08 PM
Tiny
JCMAURO
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Here is a photo if the steering wheel, thank you
very much.
Image (Click to make bigger)
Thumb
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Friday, October 12th, 2012 AT 6:19 PM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
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Yup, you would need to remove the SRS unit to get at the horn switch components.
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Friday, October 12th, 2012 AT 6:52 PM
Tiny
JCMAURO
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  • 6 POSTS
Is the part available?
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Friday, October 12th, 2012 AT 6:59 PM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
You would need to check with the dealer as such are only dealer parts if available.
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Friday, October 12th, 2012 AT 7:24 PM
Tiny
JCMAURO
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  • 6 POSTS
Thank you:-)
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Friday, October 12th, 2012 AT 7:46 PM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
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You're welcome.
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Friday, October 12th, 2012 AT 8:09 PM

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