Horn sounds a bit dodgy

stevo///m3

Senior member
 Leeds - you know where it is
Any ideas??

I beeped it a few months ago when going round a blind corner and it was really weak - I think they are two-tone i.e. one high tone, one low tone. Sounded like one of the tones had dropped out or a dodgy connection wire. After a few beeps (to check it) the sound dropped completely, no sound at all. A few drives later, beeped it to test and back to one of the tones dropping out i.e. really weak sound. So it seems to reset with an on-off cycle but it’s always weak. I think this will be an MOT fail (January coming). When I did my oil change about 6 weeks ago the guy at the Indy said it was all hidden behind the bumper and that would need to come off - which I am reticent about doing due to labour and alignment issues when re-fixing.

Can anyone shed any light or this? Car is an ‘07 M Coupé

Cheers in advance

Stevo
 
It was a MOT fail for me on my first E86 , there are 2 , in my instance both needed replacing & iirc around £35 each :? didn't get a crazy bill to swap them though so unsure about the bumper off part
 
Pretty sure these are the 2 horns. I found some old photo's i took when i had my Z4M front bumper off. I imagine your horns are in the same location.

Ignore the damage in the 2nd photo. A bit of wood flicked up off a car infront, went straight through the brake duct and took out most of my wheel arch liner :o :cry: fixed now :thumbsup:

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There are 2 horns in the lower front corners of the front bumper. They are accessible (just !) through the small lower access panel on the inside of each front wheel arch. One horn is hi-tone and the other lo-tone...can't remember which is which unfortunately.
The one on my near side wasn't working on my last MOT but it wasn't a fail as the other side was working. The horns are very exposed to the weather. I removed the n/s one cleaned everything up, replaced it and still nothing ! There is a small adjuster screw located on the horn which I wound in and out a 1/4 turn at a time and eventually...bingo ! It's been fine for almost a year now. :thumbsup:
 
I think my low tone is playing up a bit. Works fine initially, but after half a second or so sounds like it dies and just leaves the high tone one on. Will have a look at some point and see if I can find any issue but frankly it still works and it's not like it's needed much!
 
I had to replace one on my Si - I submitted the part number to Quarry motors or partsgateway, can’t remember which. I believe they are the same as the e46 horns, so there are plenty about. Think mine cost me a tenner.
 
I bit the bullet on mine years ago when one stopped and just fitted a triple airhorn in the passenger side void. Way more effective in letting muppets know you're there :)
 
OK, that's really helpful - especially Ben's pics :thumbsup:
Doesn't look too bad to sort
Thanks again all.
Stevo
 
Bing said:
I had to replace one on my Si - I submitted the part number to Quarry motors or partsgateway, can’t remember which. I believe they are the same as the e46 horns, so there are plenty about. Think mine cost me a tenner.

Even better if they're E46-able, bargain basement prices now those cars
Stevo
 
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