W210 horn question

[Charles Morgan]

My 210 had its MOT today and failed as the horn didn't work - it is so rare that I use it that I hadn't noticed, no real excuse though.

I tested the old one (a single one) which was not functioning - using a car battery - so ordered a replacement from ECP using the car reg, which showed it as a 2002 E320 horn. Getting there to pick it up it turned out to be a twin airhorn set from Bosch, as I couldn't recall there being either space or wiring for twin horns, I had it credited before I left.

For those with other 210s of the period, do you recall or can look what is under your bonnet? I would prefer a twin set (pearls and blue hair too, at my age) but don't want to buy something I can't return (electrical items not refundable apparently, Lord knows how that fits with the SOGA but for the money close to an irrelevance).

 

[ringway]

My 210 had its MOT today and failed as the horn didn't work - it is so rare that I use it that I hadn't noticed, no real excuse though.

I tested the old one (a single one) which was not functioning - using a car battery - so ordered a replacement from ECP using the car reg, which showed it as a 2002 E320 horn. Getting there to pick it up it turned out to be a twin airhorn set from Bosch, as I couldn't recall there being either space or wiring for twin horns, I had it credited before I left.

For those with other 210s of the period, do you recall or can look what is under your bonnet? I would prefer a twin set (pearls and blue hair too, at my age) but don't want to buy something I can't return (electrical items not refundable apparently, Lord knows how that fits with the SOGA but for the money close to an irrelevance).

I'm certain it is a twin horn, Charles.

 

[davidjpowell]

Me too - my first one eventually defaulted to only one horn working.

My grandfather asked why I was not using it on the bend on a single track road where the locals always sounded the horn. - I then sounded mine and he agreed best left alone. Sounded like a 2cv on speed.

 

[Charles Morgan]

Intriguing - the one I took out is behind the grille. Anyone know where the second one is?

The chap in the garage suggested that a problem with clockspring in the steering wheel might account for the horn not and the airbag warning light. I am trying to test a functioning horn to reduce the amount of things to investigate. Needless to say, my 201 has totally different connectors otherwise I'd try one of those.

 

[renault12ts]

Two horns.

A high note one behind the grille (and easily accessed), the other, a low note one, under the offside headlamp behind the bumper...bumper off job unfortunately.

 

[Charles Morgan]

That answers that one perfectly. Hellfrauds has a universal hi tone horn in stock which has the same connectors and configuration, so I'll fit that tomorrow. Me removing bumpers is not something I would wish to do if I wanted them to stay in one piece or fit again.

A feeble one is better than none. Of course, if I had the time, skill, madness and money I'd fit something like these - proper set of horns.

 

[balge]

Air horns...nice and loud, but they always seem to take ages to actually start 'blaring' - at least they do when you are bearing down on something hard at toomany mph...

 

[Charles Morgan]

That reminds me, while my Allard has a proper horn, it probably needs one with a bit more oomph, as its stopping distance is somewhat longer than the audible range of the horn I suspect..

 

[balge]

I would hope the music from the exhausts would provide adequate 'warning of approach'.

With drum brakes, waiting for the air horns to come on gave me something to do while waiting for the brakes to 'come on'...

 

[Charles Morgan]

Ok, bought a new horn from Halfords, which works, but when connected up on the 210, doesn't. Checked all the fuses (fanfare is the name for the horns) and one blown - tried another in its place, nothing. So steering wheel comes off tomorrow - at least I have done all the fault checking I am capable of, saves costly time at the garage.

 

[del320]

Disappointed Charles, that a man of discrimination and taste, such as yourself, might not have considered Colonel Bogey or La Cucaracha.

 

[Charles Morgan]

The Allard, as befits an American engined car, is going to get the Dukes of Hazzard Dixie horn.

For the Benzes I have, reluctantly, come to the conclusion that a horn that plays Wagner's Ring Cycle in its entirety is unlikely to be that practical.

 

[Charles Morgan]

Garage just called to say clockspring had gone, so new one should be with them first thing tomorrow. Fingers crossed that gets the horn and airbag sorted.

 

[bolide]

The Allard, as befits an American engined car, is going to get the Dukes of Hazzard Dixie horn.

Plenty of room in the Allard for your Stetson. And I am sure Sydney would have approved!

Nick Froome

 

[Charles Morgan]

I draw the line at a stetson Mr Froome, but I'm sure the Guv'nor would approve of a broad brimmed racin' Trilby. Not that it would survive long on my head!

The Guv'nor was known to race in suit and tie.

 

[MOCAŠ]

Reminds me of the time I drove into a Fiat garage with my previous X1/9 and asked them to take a look at the horns as I'd noticed that one of them seemed to have stopped working. Five minutes later the service manager informed me that this was because one of them wasn't there any more - the bracket had rusted away.

 

[Charles Morgan]

So Italian!

 

[markjay]

My Italian cars of old had two loud high-pitched Fiam horns that would make you jump out of your skin. Mercs of old had deep bass Bosch horn that had little effect on other road users