How Much Does Car Horn Repair Cost?
There could many reasons you may need to repair a car horn.
The fact that it is broken may be due to a problem with the switch or there could be a problem somewhere in the electrical system or even in the wiring connections.
If there is a broken electrical connection inside the horn or damage done to the horn’s diaphragm, then the horn relay will be the source of the problem. In most cases, however, the cause of a broken car horn is usually due to a burned-out fuse that causes the car horn to stop working. In this case, the fuse simply needs to be replaced and the car horn will start working once again.
How much does it cost to repair a horn in a car?
Car horn repair costs can be very minimal depending on the cause of the problem. If you have to take the car in, the cost will greatly depend on the mechanic you choose and the problem they find. Horns can be bought for as low as $10 from retailers, for example, and if you were to need a professional to help you with the problem, then it shouldn’t take longer than one hour to perform the repair.
Purchasing and replacing the car horn on your own can range anywhere from $10 to $45, but for a professional mechanic, the costs will probably be anywhere from $45 to as much as $110+. The said price would depend greatly on how simple or complicated the problem is that needs to be fixed and the car you drive. Keep in mind that this is a basic quote if you were to have a simple malfunctioning horn.
On a forum thread at 2carpros.com, one forum member, who owned a 1997 Lincoln Mark VIII, said that the repair cost on his car for a dead horn averaged about $100 for the horn and labor.
Repair Pal, according to estimates that people received, the costs were anywhere inside the $78 to $175 range.
Repairing a car horn overview
Before the horn is even repaired, a mechanic will first check the voltage inside the horn’s circuit to see if any voltage is present. Next, the fuse will be checked to ensure it’s sending power through the circuit, and if there is voltage, the horn’s connection will be checked to ensure the connectors aren’t corroded or dirty. From there, the horn will either be completely replaced or the connectors will be retested, and the horn will be tested again.
During the repair, the stock horn will be disconnected. Most horns are either located under the hood near the battery or between the fenders and will be powered electrically. When pressed, electricity will flow to the horn circuit, through the fuse and relay and eventually to the horn to create the horn sound. Once removed, the new horn will be connected to the existing power wire. As long as the electrical wires and fuses are in working order, the car horn should work once again.
What are the extra costs?
A failing horn shouldn’t involve other components; however, there may be other costs involved depending on the complexity of the problem. If the wiring is bad and has to be replaced, this can be considered an additional cost, for example. There may even be a deeper issue within the car’s electrical system, which could increase the costs as well.
Tips to know:
Check the fuse and horn relay. Newer vehicles are installed with plug-in relays that are quite easy to replace if this is the source of the problem.
If you think the problem is with the connections, try tracing back to see where you have voltage because that is also what mechanics do to find out the cause.
If your horn doesn’t work, your car won’t pass a local state inspection.
Before purchasing a horn, make sure it’s legal in your area as some aftermarket car horns aren’t legal.
How can I save money?
If you have the time, try to find out the problem on your own before taking your car to a mechanic or car dealership. That way, you can save yourself around $75 to $100 per hour that mechanics charge for their services. Installing a car horn is very simple and can be done within an hour or so. To learn how to install a car horn, there are many guides online such as this eHow.com guide and WikiHow one. There are also many on websites such as YouTube that might be able to help you diagnose the problem in the first place.
You could potentially get a used car horn from a car that has been totaled in an accident. Check with a local junkyard to see if there are any car horns available. If so, you could find one for as little as a few dollars.
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