Horn issues / errors
Thread Starter
The Transporter
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 360
Likes: 8
From: Chicago
Horn issues / errors
My horn has not worked properly since shortly after I purchased the car. At times the horn will not honk at all, and others I will get a motorcycle-esque horn squeak noise that lasts for a few seconds and then fall silent, to not beep again for some unknown period of time. I have the following two errors courtesy VCDS:
01134 - Alarm Horn (H12)
012 - Electrical Fault in Circuit
Date: 2016 <this has been here for some time>
01134 - Alarm Horn (H12)
004 - No Signal / Communication
(same date/time in 2016)
Information from Ross Tech reports that this is tied to the alarm; but, my horn has these problems when I press the horn on the steering wheel.
Any ideas what I should be looking for? The fuses etc. look fine.
Thanks
01134 - Alarm Horn (H12)
012 - Electrical Fault in Circuit
Date: 2016 <this has been here for some time>
01134 - Alarm Horn (H12)
004 - No Signal / Communication
(same date/time in 2016)
Information from Ross Tech reports that this is tied to the alarm; but, my horn has these problems when I press the horn on the steering wheel.
Any ideas what I should be looking for? The fuses etc. look fine.
Thanks
AudiWorld Wiseguy
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 4,073
Likes: 322
From: Chicago
You have a fault with the alarm sounder. That’s the thing that “should” make the “churrup” sound when you lock the car, and of course it’s the alarm siren too.
Although that’s unrelated to the horn sounders which by the sounds (or lack of
) it have both failed. I had to change mine years ago as they were intermittent and doing the same. They’re quite exposed to the elements and from the factory they sometimes mounted the sounder incorrectly with the opening facing forward so they end up filling with water and failing. On an early split grill car, super easy swap out as they’re both located behind the upper grille which is easy to remove. ‘06 onward Fishmouth cars, it’s a bumper off job to get to them. Either way, check the voltage at the plug terminals when the horn is pressed to check the circuits are working before swapping the sounders out.
They’re a weirdly expensive part new, especially as you need two of them; a high and a low tone. I sourced my replacements used off eBay, although you could very easily swap/wire in some generic new ones for cheap. There are only two power wires going to each sounder and nothing specific to Audi beyond the plugs.
Mine have been good ever since.
Although that’s unrelated to the horn sounders which by the sounds (or lack of
) it have both failed. I had to change mine years ago as they were intermittent and doing the same. They’re quite exposed to the elements and from the factory they sometimes mounted the sounder incorrectly with the opening facing forward so they end up filling with water and failing. On an early split grill car, super easy swap out as they’re both located behind the upper grille which is easy to remove. ‘06 onward Fishmouth cars, it’s a bumper off job to get to them. Either way, check the voltage at the plug terminals when the horn is pressed to check the circuits are working before swapping the sounders out.They’re a weirdly expensive part new, especially as you need two of them; a high and a low tone. I sourced my replacements used off eBay, although you could very easily swap/wire in some generic new ones for cheap. There are only two power wires going to each sounder and nothing specific to Audi beyond the plugs.
Mine have been good ever since.
AudiWorld Wiseguy
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 4,073
Likes: 322
From: Chicago
The horn doesn’t sound when you lock it. Only the alarm siren gives a “chirp” to acknowledge its armed. You can code the “chirp” function on/off with vcds. It’s on by default from the factory.
AudiWorld Super User
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 15,311
Likes: 696
From: SF Bay Area, CA
As is being fleshed out here, the alarm horn and the traffic horns are two different things. The alarm horn has a built in battery IIRC which is prone to fail and then rot out the internals as they get old. It is also an area that can lead to broader electrical issues with power drains per older posts.
Separately, the traffic horns do tend to eat water over the years. If it has the softer higher pitched noise, only the low one has failed. AFAIK they don't give VCDS type error codes. On both the D3 and my prior C5, that lower note one is what gave out. On a later fish mouth grill, with effort you can pry open the top plastic of that whole area in front of radiator and stick a wood block in to hold it open just enough to reach in with your hand. In my case, XL's so very tight fit. But it avoids the whole bumper cover removal exercise.
Separately, the traffic horns do tend to eat water over the years. If it has the softer higher pitched noise, only the low one has failed. AFAIK they don't give VCDS type error codes. On both the D3 and my prior C5, that lower note one is what gave out. On a later fish mouth grill, with effort you can pry open the top plastic of that whole area in front of radiator and stick a wood block in to hold it open just enough to reach in with your hand. In my case, XL's so very tight fit. But it avoids the whole bumper cover removal exercise.
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AudiWorld Super User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 5,004
Likes: 129
From: Fremont, CA
Thanks MP4, I found your post with pictures, I'll do that. No horn is scary sometimes, especially in the Bay Area where many drivers got their licenses from Sears online LOL.
Cheers,
Louis
Cheers,
Louis
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AudiWorld Super User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 5,004
Likes: 129
From: Fremont, CA
MP4,
I don't know how you did it, but I could not wedge anything between the gap. In the picture, I don't see the grill? Did you remove the grill?
https://www.audiworld.com/forums/a8-...ssles-2886010/
I don't know how you did it, but I could not wedge anything between the gap. In the picture, I don't see the grill? Did you remove the grill?
https://www.audiworld.com/forums/a8-...ssles-2886010/