[developerx]

The only vehicle that could make me part with my 95 Impala SS was the 300C. When I purchased the Impala, I had to pound on the horn switch to get it to work (due to the airbag placement). In 96, they redesigned the horn area & airbag. Chevy replaced mine with the redesigned unit under a TSB. After that, it worked like a "normal" horn.

The 300C (at least mine) appears to have a similar problem. On several occassions, I've had to "go for the horn fast" and each time, it hasn't worked until I've pretty much pounded on it. To me, this is a serious issue. If I'm going for the horn, it's for a good reason and reaction time of the other driver is part of the equation. The faster I can blow the horn, the better the chance of avoiding an accident.

Has anyone else experienced this problem or know if a remedy?

Thanks in advance,

AJ

 

[II kings 9:20]

Yes many of us have, there is a thread on this from several months ago and as of yet there is no cure. Best thing to do is file a complaint with DC, (I did). Hope enough of us complain, this is also a safety issue, perhaps NHTSA should be notified, Chrysler is very ballsy at defiying NHTSA recalls though. Without a doubt, they blew the horn on this car (no pun intended), in all those "millions" of test miles no one actually seems to have hit the horn button and figured this out.

 

[limeyg]

Could not aggree more the horn takes quite a bit of pressure to activate and in an emergency situation the chances of getting it to sound are very poor.
If by chance the steering wheel is not in the centre position then totally forget it.

 

[Nolmscheid]

Mine works with no problems. Maybe I have more muscle? JK

 

[LWOOD]

I have difficulties as well relative to other cars I have owned. My old Grand Marquis was on a hair trigger...more of a warning to get out of the way if an old man croaked behind the wheel.

 

[Northern Rider]

The horn thing really annoyed me at first. After playing with it some, I realized that there were specific "hot spots" that always worked.

I went ahead and put air horns in. It's great for waking up those folks who like to nap while motoring in the fast lane.
I never even think about finding the horn anymore, but this is one area that Chrysler could improve on. They also need to have the horn active when the key is off.

 

[II kings 9:20]

I agree about the active horn too, I also found a sweet spot which is great as long as you are not turning quickly. I also have the twin Italian air horns, I highly recommend them, got mine online from Autobarn.

 

[developerx]

Ok, I'm not alone and going bonkers. On the Impala, it took NHTSA complaints to get things going. I'll put my name on the list.

Thanks.

 

[rogue]

There is definitely a sweet spot, but the odds of finding that spot when a horn is necessary to avoid some idiot side swiping you on the freeway are pretty slim. It has happened nearly every time I've needed it.

Its simply a bad pressure layout.

For now I just shove my fist out the window and yell obsceneties!

 

[rdmac]

Absolutely. Every time I reach for the horn in an "emergency" situation I get zippo.

Bob

 

[developerx]

Ok, I filed a complaint at www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov, and I have a suggestion to make. There were 2, yes 2 complaints about the horn not being powered with the key off. If your horn doesn't work right, I'd suggest filing a complaint. Otherwise, the govenment engineers won't waste a moment of their time researching this. I've spoken with them before on things, and they *really* do get out there to check these things out - if, and only if - lots of owners report them. As to DC not yeilding to NHTSA wishes, believe me... I've seen them in action. If you're a car maker, you don't want to get one of these people mad. Remember that a horn is a basic safety item which has been in production vehicles going way, way back. It's not like this is a concept that is new and needs debugging.

You and your family are driving in your 300 on the highway in the left lane passing a truck in the center lane. He's falling asleep at the wheel, veering into your lane. You go to honk your horn, but it doesn't work. He continues into your lane. You can't speed up and pass now - blocked off. You slam on the brakes. The fellow behind you smashes into you. Your car is ruined, your family may have been hurt, the fellow behind you is hurt and his car is ruined.

Don't underestimate the value of an easy to use horn.

 

[II kings 9:20]

Complaint logged with DOT from the above info.

 

[Nolmscheid]

We don't honk our horns much here in MN, but everytime I have tried it it has gone off perfectly. I just took delivery a few weeks ago...could they have possibly already fixed it?

When is there a need for the horn when your car is powered off??

 

[rogue]

When theres an attractive 24 year old female in downtown Los Angeles with someone knocking on her glass trying to steal her car and purse.

 

[II kings 9:20]

When you are sitting and someone is about to back into you, happend to me in my Buick, the horn prevented a fender bender, there would hae been no time to get the key turn it on and mash around the horn button if I were in the C. In other words any urgent/emergent situation where your key may not be in the ignition and the ignition is not on.

 

[Nolmscheid]

hit the panic button on the remote, which is what its for! ;-)

 

[Nolmscheid]

Do you guys just sit in your cars often with the keys hidden away? Just joking around guys.

 

[developerx]

It *is* possible that they fixed this in mid-production. If so, then a range of VINs will probably have the problem. In all seriousness, it makes sense to log it with NHTSA so they check it out.

 

[Northern Rider]

Yep, and if DC don't fix this, they'll never sell a single 300 to a New York cabbie.

 

[BrilliantBlackHemi]

Yeah the horn does kinda suck, e.g it DOESN'T BLOW.

Despite all that, the worst part is it doesn't do anything with the key off. I guess its too bad if some kid get's left in the car and can't blow the horn to alert help.