Unreliable horn?

[magnesium]

Is anyone else out there finding the horn on their 300C to be unreliable? There are times when I really NEED to use the horn, only to find I've pushed the "wrong spot". Very annoying, and dangerous.

FWIW, I've never had a problem tooting my own horn before. This is a problem unique to my C. Or is it?

Michael

[JonW]

Same issue here. The first time I went to use it was when someone cut me off and I was pissed that I couldn't even honk at them. You have to push real hard to get it to blast. I've seen this on a few cars though. It seems that most of the engineering goes into the air bag and then they decide how to squeeze a horn switch in there. It's definately more common problem now with air bags.

[Black Beauty]

I agree, I am very disappointed with the horn setup. A guy was coming over and did not see me, and I had to swerve to keep from getting hit because I couldn't find the right spot on the horn. Also, I have to remember to blow for family to help get bags out of the car before I turn it off because the HORN DOES NOT BLOW IF THE CAR IS OFF........................... Go figure.

[mileshoover]

Push on the top center of the horn area; it works fine. Other places on the center of the hub may or may not permit it to blow.

It is designed not to blow if the ignition is off and either of the front doors have been opened.

Why do you feel it necessary to blow the horn when the ignition is off?

[Krock43]

I have had the same problem..........it really gets bad when you drive three or four different types of vehicles a week. Soetimes I can't remember where the wiper switch is because the stalks are different on all the cars I drive!

[05Hemi]

Hey Mag, I thought I was the only one...yeah, you have to fish to find the sweet spot and when you are swerving to avoid some punk in a rice rocket that is NOT my preference.

[II kings 9:20]

ME TOO, POOR DESIGN, IT SHOULD HAVE A FREE FLOATINg CENTER HUB LIKE MOST OTHER CARS, like Miles, I rely on the upper 1/3 in the center and it works well. You really have to wonder if the designers and engineers actually drive the car before they bring it to market. Someone at DC should have picked this up in the very early testing, same for the right pull. I know everything won't show up in pre testing but a piss poor horn button does not require hundreds of thousands of customer miles to figure out. Perhaps we should start a move to have a customer svc campaign for a new unit installed at the dealer, anyone contact DC or NHTSA?

[rdmac]

Ah Geez

You guys had to find something else. Just kidding kinda. Yes I have the same issue with the horn. I'll add it to the list.

Bob

[HEMEEE]

Originally Posted by mileshoover

Why do you feel it necessary to blow the horn when the ignition is off?

Miles, Black Beauty explained, quite clearly, that she signals the family to help unload the car. However, as a female, I would also be concerned, for safety reasons, if I cannot use the horn for an emergency signal with the ignition off. I guess one could use the panic alarm on the keys but the keys would have to be handy... besides, I think one's first "instinct" would be to hit the horn itself. So I think the question is why did the engineers feel it necessary to cause the horn to be disabled when the ignition is off??

[mspeasl]

Originally Posted by HEMEEE

Miles, Black Beauty explained, quite clearly, that she signals the family to help unload the car. However, as a female, I would also be concerned, for safety reasons, if I cannot use the horn for an emergency signal with the ignition off. I guess one could use the panic alarm on the keys but the keys would have to be handy... besides, I think one's first "instinct" would be to hit the horn itself. So I think the question is why did the engineers feel it necessary to cause the horn to be disabled when the ignition is off??

Linda,

My wife agrees with you. She doesn't like it either that it is disabled when ignition is off.