What to do if the horn of Sagitar sounds muffled due to water ingress?
4 Answers
The best way is to open it and let it dry, allowing the water inside to evaporate naturally. Otherwise, prolonged exposure may cause a short circuit in the wiring. Here is some related information about the Sagitar: 1. Introduction to the Sagitar: The Sagitar is a joint venture A+ class sedan brand under FAW-Volkswagen. It was introduced to the Chinese market on April 9, 2006, and its predecessor was the fifth-generation Volkswagen Jetta sedan, positioned as a "German high-performance sedan." 2. Product philosophy of the Sagitar: On March 18, 2019, the all-new Sagitar Long-Wheelbase was launched with a comprehensive innovation in design concepts, comfort and safety, and space layout, ushering in a new era for A+ class sedans.
I've encountered the issue of water getting into the horn several times. After rain, the sound of my Sagitar's horn becomes muffled, which really affects my mood. Firstly, the most common causes of water entering the horn include spray from windshield wipers or improper car washing, allowing moisture to seep into the horn's interior and affecting the vibration of the diaphragm. For handling, I recommend immediately stopping for a safety check, disconnecting the battery's negative terminal to prevent short circuits. Carefully remove the horn unit, dry the exterior with a soft cloth, and then use a hairdryer on the cool setting to dry any internal moisture—never use hot air to avoid deformation. After drying, reinstall and test the sound quality. If the sound doesn't recover, the diaphragm might be damaged or there could be a circuit issue, requiring a new horn replacement. Prevention is key in daily use: instruct car wash workers to avoid the horn area, choose higher ground for parking to prevent flooding, and regularly check if the sealing ring is aging. This method is simple and effective, saving on repair costs and time.
Last time my Sagitar's horn got water inside, making the sound muffled like shouting into a quilt. I found some free time to fix it myself without going to a repair shop. The first step was to make sure the car was turned off and parked in a safe place, then open the hood to locate the horn, usually positioned behind the grille. Carefully remove the horn module—if there's a lot of accumulated water, pour it out first and use a towel to dry the exterior. Then, use a cool setting on a hairdryer to blow air for 5-10 minutes to thoroughly dry the internal components. When testing, reconnect the wires and check the sound; if it works normally, reinstall it. If it still doesn’t work after drying, replacing it with the same model is easy and costs just a few dozen yuan. For prevention, avoid driving too fast in the rain to reduce water splashing, and when washing the car, avoid aiming the water jet directly at the horn. I’ve used this method repeatedly, and it works well to prevent rust and short circuits that could damage the entire vehicle's electrical system.
I'm quite concerned about the muffled sound issue caused by water ingress in the horn, as it not only affects usability but also poses a short-circuit risk. In terms of handling, I usually start by checking the sealing at the horn's mounting point to see if water is leaking through gaps. The quickest way to remove moisture after removal is the air-drying method, such as using a hairdryer or natural drying. However, the most crucial aspect is preventive measures: choose professional car wash locations in the future and remind operators, drive slower in rainy weather to prevent water splashing, and avoid parking in low-lying areas prone to water accumulation that can soak the horn. The Sagitar model's horn position is relatively low, making it more susceptible to this issue. Take a quick look during each maintenance session, and promptly replace damaged sealing rings to save money and hassle. With these measures, the horn's lifespan is significantly extended, avoiding sudden failures that could impact driving safety.
