Where is the horn relay located in the BMW X1?
4 Answers
BMW X1 horn relay is located in the control cabinet or control box. The working principle of the relay is that when a certain voltage is applied to both ends of the coil, the coil generates current, thereby producing an electromagnetic effect. The armature, under the electromagnetic force, overcomes the pulling force of the return spring and is attracted to the iron core, driving the moving contact of the armature to connect with the stationary contact. Taking the 2021 BMW X1 as an example, it belongs to the compact SUV category, with body dimensions of: length 4565mm, width 1821mm, height 1620mm, wheelbase 2780mm, fuel tank capacity 61L, and trunk capacity 505L. The 2021 BMW X1 is equipped with a 1.5T turbocharged engine, with a maximum horsepower of 140PS, maximum power of 103kW, maximum torque of 220Nm, and is paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission.
I always enjoy studying the locations of various components while driving. The horn relay for the BMW X1 is generally found in two places. In most new cars, it's located in the engine compartment fuse box. After opening the hood, look towards the right front wheel—you'll see a rectangular black box. Open its cover to reveal the relay array, and the one labeled with a horn symbol is what you're looking for. In older models, the relay might be hidden in the fuse box near the driver's knee area, which requires removing the storage compartment under the steering wheel to access. Actually, if the horn doesn't sound, don't rush to remove the relay. Instead, have someone press the steering wheel while you listen near the fender for a faint electrical sound from the horn. This can quickly determine whether it's a relay or button issue. The spare tire well actually contains the repair manual, which has detailed diagrams of relay locations—much more accurate than searching online.
As a mechanic with ten years of experience, I've worked on dozens of BMW X1s, and the horn relay location varies by model year. For pre-2015 E84 chassis models, it's usually behind the knee bolster panel on the driver's side—just remove it to see the blue square relay. Current F48 chassis models mostly integrate it into the engine bay fuse module, located inside the black plastic box with the BMW logo on the right side. Here's a pro tip for checking: turn the key to the accessory position, have someone press the steering wheel horn, and lightly touch each relay—the working one will have a slight vibration. If you can't find it, don't force it open. BMW's precision plastic clips are extremely fragile; last time, a customer broke three clips DIY-ing it, costing over 500 just for parts.
Last time I helped my neighbor locate the X1 horn relay, it was found behind the glove compartment panel on the passenger side. In fact, the location varies significantly across different model years, so it's best to check the vehicle identification number to confirm the chassis type first. If you're in a hurry for a quick fix, simply pop open the hood and inspect the black square box in the upper right corner of the engine bay – the small vertically inserted relay inside has marked icons. Testing for faults is straightforward: use needle-nose pliers to temporarily swap in another relay of the same type (like the rear window defroster). If the horn sounds, you've pinpointed the issue. Poor contact in the relay socket is also a common problem – plugging and unplugging a few times often restores function. When replacing it yourself, remember to wear insulated gloves for protection.
