Hendy47

I am told by a dealer that it will cost approximately $1500 to replaced the horn/air bag assembly in the steering column. $950 for the parts alone. Any way I can save money on this?

FX VETTE

pjdbm

$1500.00? holy smokes!

001pewter

first thing I thought of

c6miller

First check the horn relay under the hood. There are several relays in that fuse box that are the same. Swap one of then and see if the horn works. Do NOT spend that money at the dealer. If it's not the fuse you can buy a new horn membrane and fix it yourself for under $100. There is a youtube video on how to do it. However, I bet its the relay.

knewblewkorvette

$1500!!!


Now that I got that out of my system, I'd learn to live without a horn for that kind of money. I'd definitely check out what c6miller said

dn69427

The horn membrane went on my 99 FRC and the horn would not stop, so I had to remove the fuse. I read all the threads I could on the forum then I ordered a new membrane from C&S corvettes and followed their video - pretty straight forward. Hardest part of the job is removing the two torque screws that hold the air bag in place. Follow all the directions and fuse removal to ensure the air bag does not deploy.
you tube video is C5 Horn installation CorvetteRepairCenter.com

good luck

Lexybird

how much was the repair in cost being you did it yourself

CactusCat

WOW! $1500 ???? Really??? Please do not let that stealership do that to you!! Finding and fixing the problem for the horn is a relatively straight-forward and not-that-difficult project. I can almost assure you that you'll save the vast majority of that $1500... That's just plain crazy.

One more thing, since that was your first post here on CF, please finish out your profile so that we might know your location. The reason for this is two-fold. There might be a member near you that could assist on this project or someone might be able to recommend a Corvette repair facility near you that does not charge insane prices. GL and keep us updated.

Lexybird

I can easily see how it could total over a grand when your paying shop rates at the dealership at extortionate prices like 100-125 $ an hour plus any parts which are over inflated in cost . The last repair I had at the gm dealer was a headlight on my chevy traverse . It was a 143$ to replace the bulb I looked at the bill and they charged me a 10$ disposal fee ! To throw the bulb away in the trash and also charged for shop supplies which of coarse were none being used to swap a bulb out . Start with the easy stuff like checking fuses checking that the horn works on a separate battery and see that fittings / connections are good . The dealer will screw you worse in the shop than out on the lot

GCG

As mentioned above, check the easy stuff first. Verify if you have power applied to the horns when actioned, and if not, check the horn relay, fuse, etc.

Do the horns sound when you lock the car and set the alarm with the key fobs? If they do, then horns, horn fuse and horn relay are fine and the problem is on the other "leg" of the circuit controlled by the membrane. Take a look at the circuit:



If at the end, the membrane seems the reason why it's not working, you can get it here and replace it yourself by following .

friou

Recently went through this with a "corvette friendly", "major corvette dealer" stealership. They too wanted to charge the same $1500.00 when my horn went part time on me. They said I needed a new air bag to go along with a new a slip ring. After much loud and profane resistance on my part in front of other customers a miracle occurred and they found they could effect a repair at a tiny fraction of their quoted $1500.00 while retaining my original slip ring and airbag. Don't trust the stealership with anything! Good luck!

Fast one

Hendy 47, do the horns work at all as in when you leave the car as it tells you it's locked?

strand rider

In my case, it was corrosion in the horn that clogged the action.

I had them replaced, I was doing small stuff around town, trying to find a trusted garage. this wasn't one of them. I later saw some posts on removing the mineral build up on the vibrating sound generator in the horn throat.

now , with the passage of time, my switch on the steering wheel is going away. It will probably be DIY, I am no longer looking for garages.

Unlike the joking poster above, I consider a horn needed safety equipment, even if it is considered very bad form to ever use it around my town.

El Paso Vette

Most likely it is the horn itself under the hood. You can replace them easily and cheaply. The water damage from rain and road splash can fry the electrics.
Check this out first.

johnson-rod

It must be that time of year. I just had to fix the horn this week.

Pulled the airbag and cover.

Shot the membrane with QD Contact cleaner until the membrane cleaned up enough to only beep when pressed. Verified with a multi-meter.

Put it all back together again. Works fine.

I also replaced the steering wheel fixing an earlier screw-up. (My life is two steps forward and one step back)

CactusCat

That might be one of the best posts I've read in a long time!!

Gary Collins

How about a bumper sticker? Horn not working,watch for finger!

QCKSLVR

Several years ago I was stopped at a light in my '01 'vert. behind a taller vehicle (aren't they all?), when suddenly the driver pops it into reverse in an apparent plan to change lanes. He either didn't bother to check, or had no clue that I was behind him. I slammed on the horn pad so hard I damn near pushed the steering column through the IP, but no horn. I watched for about three LONG seconds while this clown backed into the front of my car, hard enough to break the fog light mounts and crush the nose fascia.

I finally got the horn to work again by massaging the pad until it made electrical contact consistently. Now, I honk the horn several times EVERY TIME I drive the car to make sure it still functions.

Talk about closing the barn door after the horse has run out!

PaConehead

Ok, this thread is perfect timing - I'm in the same boat - no horn!. Checked the fuse, it is good. Checked the relay. it is good. When I push the horn on steering wheel, I can hear the relay click, clicks again when released. From that I am deducing that the switch/membrane are working and the problem is the wiring, connections, or the actual horn(s). Where are the horns on the 2004 Z06? I'll start there and work back