Services
Insurance
Loans
Repairs
Advice
About

How do you test a car horn?

I noticed last week my car horn isn’t really working anymore. How do I test it to see what’s wrong?

avatar
Will Baldwin · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
Uh oh! Having a functioning horn is an important part of car safety, even if you don’t use it very often. Thankfully, it’s fairly easy to test your car’s horn. To start, you’ll need someone to help and your car’s manual.
From there, you can test your horn three ways:
  • Horn fuse: Using the manual, find the location of your car’s fuse box. Usually, it’s under your hood. You’ll need to replace the fuse if it looks broken. Once replaced, try the horn again.
  • Horny relay: Get your helper to push the horn. If you hear a clicking noise, that should mean it’s working okay. If not, it’s likely the relay is malfunctioning.
  • Electrical connector: To test the horn’s electrical connector, first use the manual to figure out where it is. Then, get your helper to push the horn. As they’re doing this, adjust the connector and see if it impacts the noise. If it does, it’s likely a loose connector causing an issue.
While you’re testing your horn, be sure to check for rust and corrosion as well. If you can’t find the issue or aren’t sure how to move forward, don’t worry! You can always take your car to a
professional
. They can help diagnose the problem for you and make any necessary repairs.
Beyond maintaining your horn, being prepared for emergencies is also an important part of road safety. If you’re looking for a roadside assistance membership, try
Jerry
. Jerry’s roadside assistance membership gives you access to industry-leading roadside assistance for as little as $4.16 a month, so you never have to worry about being stranded!
View full answer 
WHY YOU CAN TRUST JERRY
Jerry partners with more than 50 insurance companies, but our content is independently researched, written, and fact-checked by our team of editors and agents. We aren’t paid for reviews or other content.

Join 4M+ members in lowering their car insurance

Easiest way to compare and buy car insurance

√
No long forms
√
No spam or unwanted phone calls
√
Quotes from top insurance companies
Find insurance savings