What to Do When a Mercedes Horn Gets Waterlogged and Sounds Muffled?
2 Answers
The best way is to open it up and let it air dry, allowing the water inside to evaporate naturally. Otherwise, prolonged exposure may cause circuit short circuits. Here is some relevant information: 1. Solution: If there isn't too much water inside, remove the horn, drain the water, and then reinstall it. Be careful during reinstallation to avoid losing any parts. Use a hairdryer to heat the horn, causing the water inside to evaporate. Once the water has evaporated, the horn should return to normal. However, if the horn's diaphragm is damaged due to water ingress, the only solution is to replace it. 2. Identifying a Flood-Damaged Car: Look for excessive signs of work on seat covers, carpets, door panels, and other interior parts, as well as uncleaned mud in some hard-to-reach areas. Circuits and wires that have been soaked in water are prone to issues, with copper wires inside the circuits likely to rust and wire insulation showing significant aging.
My Mercedes also experienced the issue of water getting into the horn, making the sound muffled—it felt like the sound was being stifled. At the time, I quickly parked the car in a dry garage to prevent further water infiltration. Then, I opened the hood, located the horn, and used the cold air setting of a hairdryer to blow on it for over ten minutes to speed up the drying process. If you have spare time, it’s best to let it air dry naturally for a day or two—don’t rush to use it. Check if the horn cover has any cracks or blockages, and if there’s dirt, gently wipe it clean. If the sound remains muffled after trying these methods, the internal wiring might be short-circuited, and you must take it to a Mercedes-Benz 4S shop for inspection. Don’t attempt to repair it yourself to avoid escalating the risk. Preventing water ingress is crucial—when washing the car, avoid directing high-pressure water jets at the horn area. Using a cover or parking in a garage can help avoid such troubles. Safety-wise, a malfunctioning horn affects communication on the road, so address the issue promptly to prevent accidents.
