....i have a e250, 97. and when i turn the steering wheel my horn goes off! there is also a grinding noise. the steering wheel is fitted correctly. any ideas....? all replies greatly appreciated!
Location: West Bloomfield, Michigan (just north of Detroit)
Posts: 96
I have the same problem with my 1998 e-320 (105,000 miles) The horn would go off at random. People would wonder what the hell I was honking about. Some would get angry. People walking on the sidewalks would and wonder "what's your deal" I got the finger one time regarding this. I was just about making the car undrivable. You say it well when you describe it as a BIG BIG BIG problem
I find out that it is the steering wheel horn (clock) spring (under the air bag) Some on this blog says it might just be a loose connection on the clock spring. There is info somewhere on this blog on how to remove the airbag, ect to get to the clock spring.
To have the clock spring at a West Bloomfied Michigan MB Dealer is about $212. Somewhat high, if it is only a loose connection.
There is a fuse box under the hood, on the drivers side near the fire wall. For now, you can remove a small black square relay which will disable the horn. There is a horn symbol on the relay.
But one should fix the horn as it is a safty item, it may avoid an accident when used as needed. The horn is not a novelty... just for honking at girls.
Jimbo, welcome to the forum. A word of constructive criticism, when you choose a title it's helpful to pick something meaningful that conveys some part of the issue. HELP or BIG PROBLEM isn't nearly as useful as "Horn Honks when I turn the wheel". Your choice how you want to post but if you're looking for help, anything you can do to make it easier for others increases your chances of a quicker, more accurate answer.
Your problem sounds very much like the clock spring. The grinding is the part that has broken rubbing against other parts, it's also a part of the shorting process that is causing the horn to honk. (FWIW, the use of the search function in this forum would have revealed the exact same issue, including the noise, just a couple of weeks ago.).
The DIY for swapping the steering wheel will get you into it, then just keep tunneling into the steering column. the part is $150 or so if I remember correctly. If you're not a DIY sort then take it in, if you unplug the horns you can drive it to the mechanic without them howling constantly.
Take it easy guys. I deleted the posts (you know who you are).
Jimbo, it's always wise to try multiple searches. There are literally thousands of posts on most common topics, bug I realize that finding them can be difficult.
And please take Greg's comment to heart. A good topic line helps very much.
there is also a grinding noise. the steering wheel is fitted correctly. any ideas....? all replies greatly appreciated!
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