Why does the car horn sound become quieter after heavy rain?
3 Answers
Two main reasons for the car horn sound becoming lower after rain: 1. Poor internal contact point connection: According to the working principle of car horns, once the contact points have poor connection, the horn may sound intermittently. When encountering this situation, the first consideration should be whether the contacts have been wetted or affected by moisture. 2. Poor plug connection: Sometimes the contact points around the steering wheel may wear out due to frequent use, leading to loose connections. This can also cause the horn sound to become hoarse. If this occurs during rainy weather combined with poor contact, it may result in the sound becoming quieter or even completely silent.
After heavy rain, the car horn may sound weaker, possibly because moisture has seeped into the horn's interior, causing the diaphragm to become damp and deformed, thus reducing the volume. I've seen this situation often during car repairs—water accumulation affects vibration performance, especially in bass horns, which are more prone to issues. Checking it isn't difficult: first, pop the hood and see if there's any water accumulation or rust in the horn opening. Using a hairdryer on a low setting to dry it out might help. If that doesn’t work, you’ll have to replace the horn, which costs a few hundred bucks. Don’t take safety lightly—address the issue promptly after rain to avoid a malfunction in critical moments. Additionally, try parking on higher ground to avoid water splashes from puddles, and regular maintenance can prevent similar problems. In short, acting early ensures much greater safety.
I personally experienced my car horn becoming quieter after driving in heavy rain. That time, I was in a hurry to get to work and noticed the horn sounded muffled. When I asked at the repair shop, the mechanic said rainwater had seeped in, causing corrosion or a short circuit in the metal contacts, leading to poor contact and the change in sound. I tried disconnecting the battery cables myself, waiting an hour before reconnecting them, and sometimes the horn would recover, but it was unstable. It's best to take it to a professional to check the wiring and relays. Spending a little money to fix it properly saves worry. I think this is common in rainy regions during summer. Parking under a shelter or covering the horn area with a car cover can help. After that repair, I also added a rubber sealing ring, and now I worry less. Everyone should just pay attention to these small details in daily use.
