What to Do When the Car Horn Gets Wet
2 Answers
Methods to handle a wet car horn are as follows: 1. First, disconnect the negative terminal of the battery to cut off power to the horn; 2. Remove the horn, shake off the water, then use a hair dryer to dry it, and let it ventilate for 24 hours before reinstalling; 3. If the horn is already damaged, it needs to be replaced with a new one. Methods to prevent the car horn from getting wet are as follows: 1. Try to install the horn in a higher position and at a 60-degree downward angle, which is widely recognized as the best position because it not only effectively prevents water from entering the horn but also allows any water that does enter to drain out without accumulating inside; 2. Find a board with good waterproof performance (a regular plastic board will suffice if unavailable) and fix it in the gap between the bumper below the horn and the space in front of the left front wheel to effectively block water splashed up by the wheels; 3. Use a pair of ordinary stockings to cover the upper and lower car horns, which can effectively prevent water from entering the horns.
I've encountered this situation before, where the horn sounded muffled after driving through water. My approach was to first park the vehicle in a ventilated area and disconnect the negative battery terminal for safety. After locating the horn, I removed its housing and noticed small water droplets at the bottom of the horn cone. I used a straw to suck out the accumulated water, then blew cold air from a hair dryer at it for about ten minutes. Before reassembling, I checked the wiring connectors for any signs of rust. If the water accumulation is severe, the metal contacts of the horn may oxidize, in which case it's necessary to take it to a repair shop for disassembly and cleaning. Always drive slowly through water to avoid splashing and backflow. After washing the car, remember to check the horn's location. Many modern cars use waterproof horns, but older models require extra attention.
