Can the car horn sound become louder again after getting water inside and the sound becoming smaller?
3 Answers
Car horn sound can become louder again after getting water inside and the sound becoming smaller. You can use a hair dryer to heat the horn and evaporate the moisture inside. After the water evaporates, the horn will recover. However, if the horn's diaphragm is damaged due to water ingress, you can only replace it with a new one. After the car horn gets water inside, first turn off the horn and do not start it. Then you can remove the horn and let the moisture inside dry out, or use a hair dryer to dry it. In addition to waterproofing, you should also pay attention to protecting the car horn in daily use. It is best not to remove the horn's dust cover to prevent a large amount of dust from entering, as both the sound volume and quality of the horn will be affected. Moreover, the horn's dust cover affects the horn's sealing. If the sealing is not strong, fog and water vapor may enter due to excessive humidity.
I've encountered a similar issue before. When water gets into the horn, the sound becomes quieter, usually because the water causes a short circuit in the electrical coil inside or dampens the diaphragm. Whether it can return to normal depends on the situation. If it's just been exposed to water, removing the horn and using a hairdryer on a low setting to dry it or leaving it in a ventilated area for a couple of days might restore it. I tried this once—after rain, the horn sounded muffled, but after drying thoroughly, it worked fine again. However, if the water has corroded the coil or metal parts, don't expect it to recover; the sound will remain weak or silent. Additionally, snail-type horns are most prone to water accumulation. If water keeps getting in, consider replacing it with a snail-type horn or upgrading to a waterproof model. For safety, don't take it lightly—without a loud horn, it's harder to alert others while driving. What if a rear-end collision happens? So don't wait—try drying it yourself first. If that doesn't work, head to a 4S shop immediately to get a new horn.
The horn sounds quieter after getting wet. I personally experienced this after washing my car. Don’t worry, it can get louder again. Here’s how I handled it: First, stop using it to avoid damaging the circuit. Then, remove the horn, wipe the surface dry with a towel, and use a vacuum cleaner to suck out any water droplets inside. Alternatively, let it air out on a ventilated balcony for half a day. In most cases, the sound will return to normal once the moisture evaporates. However, pay attention to the type of horn—ordinary ones dry easily, while snail-type horns have more dead corners where water can accumulate, so you might need to wait a few more days. That’s what I did last time, and the sound became loud again. If it still doesn’t work after drying, the internal components may be damaged, and if the sound is permanently quieter, you’ll need to replace it. Buying a new horn online isn’t expensive, and you can install it yourself. Remember, safety first—don’t force it. Test if it’s loud enough before driving.
