My Horn Beeps Everytime I Turn Left.

[tsmitt]

WHY?? I already took out the fuse for now, but I want my horn to work. Any suggestions? I already searched.

[walky_talky20]

Sounds like an intermittent short circuit in the clock spring that is happening when you tur it. The clock spring is the spiral wound cable that allows you to have electrical stuff in the steering wheel. It is not uncommon for them to break over time causing horn problems, airbag lights, etc. Mine had an issue where my Tiptronic "+" buttons never worked. I never felt like fixing it. But yours definitely needs fixed, because that's not cool.

[biketsai]

Sounds like an intermittent short circuit in the clock spring that is happening when you tur it. The clock spring is the spiral wound cable that allows you to have electrical stuff in the steering wheel. It is not uncommon for them to break over time causing horn problems, airbag lights, etc. Mine had an issue where my Tiptronic "+" buttons never worked. I never felt like fixing it. But yours definitely needs fixed, because that's not cool.

Are the clock springs very specific when having to pick out a new/used one? Happen to know where the best place to buy one is?

My horn hasnt worked for a few months, it has definitely calmed me down in the car when I get near bad drivers since there is NOTHING I can do about it.

[tsmitt]

I just rev at people that piss me off. Cause I'm a douche like that. I just searched looks like they're about 40 bucks. Will a car without a working horn pass inspection?

[biketsai]

I just rev at people that piss me off. Cause I'm a douche like that. I just searched looks like they're about 40 bucks. Will a car without a working horn pass inspection?

No.

[tsmitt]

Fml. Looks like I'm doing this this week then.

[walky_talky20]

No. You definitely need a horn to pass inspection. At least where I come from. The button doesn't have to be on the steering wheel, but it has to be within easy reach of the driver. To slide a car through inspection cheaply we sometimes fit an accessory horn button (instead of the more expensive clock spring repair). This is on old trucks and such. We don't do such janky things to Audi's.

The clock springs are somewhat specific. There are a few different versions:

96>early 98 = 4D0 951 543 D (~$400)

From mid 98 (after vin 8D-W-007 800) there are:
1J0 959 653 C (~$150) *Note: this is the same as found in VW MK4's without ESP
1J0 959 654 M (for cars with Tiptronic buttons and/or ESP, ~$500)

I'm just looking at ETKA for this info, so I'm not sure on the actual differences and such. I'm assuming the later ones are completely interchangeable for the horn/airbag aspect. For example I would assume that if you didn't have tiptronic or ESP, you could use ANY 98.5+ clock spring and just leave the extra wires unplugged if needed. But if you do have tiptronic and/or ESP and you want to retain those features, you better get the correct one. Also, if you are getting this stuff from the junkyard, I would advise to steer clear of the 98 model year entirely if you can. So you don't end up on the wrong side of a vin split (ie: down in the VIN split dumps), which is never a fun place to be.

[tsmitt]

...$400...?

[tsmitt]

:(

[geeky]

junkyard is your friend for parts like these.

[Grip99]

I just rev at people that piss me off. Cause I'm a douche like that.

Best is when NYC taxi's like to honk right when the light turns green. Couple of flames from the 2-step shuts them up.

[beardman]

Aftermarket is the way to go around me, usually $40-50 online as long as its not a tip version.

Alot of the junkyards around here won't even pull the CS as they all say they're too difficult to do without breaking them.

Very easy change though, just pull the wheel, unplug, unclip, reverse order and you're done.

If you don't have vag, careful not to set off your airbag light. Especially if you need to pass inspection.

[walky_talky20]

...$400...?

lol. yes. I'm pretty sure they have a guy in Germany whose entire job is to just make up prices. He just pulls them right out of...well, you know.

And yeah, you *definitely* don't buy this kind of crap new. Plenty of good ones in the junkyard. The prices I posted were mostly for comic effect.

[tsmitt]

Best is when NYC taxi's like to honk right when the light turns green. Couple of flames from the 2-step shuts them up.

Where can I get me some snazzy flames? Lol.

And, I'll try to get around to a junkyard soon. They don't have many good ones around me though.

[biketsai]

No. You definitely need a horn to pass inspection. At least where I come from. The button doesn't have to be on the steering wheel, but it has to be within easy reach of the driver. To slide a car through inspection cheaply we sometimes fit an accessory horn button (instead of the more expensive clock spring repair). This is on old trucks and such. We don't do such janky things to Audi's.

The clock springs are somewhat specific. There are a few different versions:

96>early 98 = 4D0 951 543 D (~$400)

From mid 98 (after vin 8D-W-007 800) there are:
1J0 959 653 C (~$150) *Note: this is the same as found in VW MK4's without ESP
1J0 959 654 M (for cars with Tiptronic buttons and/or ESP, ~$500)

I'm just looking at ETKA for this info, so I'm not sure on the actual differences and such. I'm assuming the later ones are completely interchangeable for the horn/airbag aspect. For example I would assume that if you didn't have tiptronic or ESP, you could use ANY 98.5+ clock spring and just leave the extra wires unplugged if needed. But if you do have tiptronic and/or ESP and you want to retain those features, you better get the correct one. Also, if you are getting this stuff from the junkyard, I would advise to steer clear of the 98 model year entirely if you can. So you don't end up on the wrong side of a vin split (ie: down in the VIN split dumps), which is never a fun place to be.

Sorry for the slight derail, but I was wondering if I can just buy the 5spd one since I do not plan on using my TIP buttons?

Would this wokr? http://www.ebay.com/itm/DORMAN-525-7...ff53e0&vxp=mtr

[walky_talky20]

Sorry for the slight derail, but I was wondering if I can just buy the 5spd one since I do not plan on using my TIP buttons?

Would this wokr? http://www.ebay.com/itm/DORMAN-525-7...ff53e0&vxp=mtr

Yes, I'm assuming that would work fine - as long as your car does not have ESP. I've not actually done it myself, so I can't promise anything.

[ianwpb]

I'm sorry but that sounds hilarious! I think there used to be a video online of a guy that wired up his friends car horn so everytime he would hit the brakes it would beep. Funny stuff.

[TConklin821]

Effective immediately:

Left-hand turns are henceforth prohibited!

[NickyAsixx3sixx]

Dont make lefts....like a UPS truck

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

[B5RiceEater]

Tell them your horn works just turn left :-p youll pass inspection haha

[shinamura]

personally i think thats kind of amusing haha, but not cool. lol

[walky_talky20]

I always wanted to hook up the horn to my high beams. So whenever I honked, it also flashed them. Like a full sensory audio-visual attack. I really don't honk at people often. But when I do...I mean business.

[ianwpb]

Your car is no longer an "Ambi-turner"

[Nollywood]

Definitely a faulty clock-spring.

It's worth noting though, it's a precision piece of equipment. Even new, there are specific instructions regarding fitment, and they are locked in transit in the straight-ahead position. The locking peg MUST be removed just before installation. If you get a used one, make sure you remove it from the car yourself, and use sticky tape to hold the rotating assembly in the straight-ahead position. If you rotate it in one direction, and you forget how many times you need to turn it to get it back central, your airbag light will be on. You'll also end up with fault code 00778 - Steering Angle Sensor (G85). The internal spiral / contacts are very delicate, and it doesn't take much to bust them.

Personally, I wouldn't fit a used item. The airbag is just one of the things inside the car that I would not want to malfunction. Either not deploying when it should, or deploying when it shouldn't. Best of luck, and stay safe!

[tsmitt]

Definitely a faulty clock-spring.

It's worth noting though, it's a precision piece of equipment. Even new, there are specific instructions regarding fitment, and they are locked in transit in the straight-ahead position. The locking peg MUST be removed just before installation. If you get a used one, make sure you remove it from the car yourself, and use sticky tape to hold the rotating assembly in the straight-ahead position. If you rotate it in one direction, and you forget how many times you need to turn it to get it back central, your airbag light will be on. You'll also end up with fault code 00778 - Steering Angle Sensor (G85). The internal spiral / contacts are very delicate, and it doesn't take much to bust them.

Personally, I wouldn't fit a used item. The airbag is just one of the things inside the car that I would not want to malfunction. Either not deploying when it should, or deploying when it shouldn't. Best of luck, and stay safe!

GREAT. Now I'm worried. Lol. On a side note, it also clicks when I turn left now that the fuse is off. Are we sure it's the clock spring? I was thinking my horn might be physically engaging itself when I turn. Ps. I have messed around in my steering column before, maybe I ruined it with my silly tom-foolery?

[AudiA4_20T]

Just take the UPS truck route... but seriously I just imagined this in my head and LOLed at work.

Anyone heard the Brian Reagan broken horn skit?

[walky_talky20]

GREAT. Now I'm worried. Lol. On a side note, it also clicks when I turn left now that the fuse is off. Are we sure it's the clock spring? I was thinking my horn might be physically engaging itself when I turn. Ps. I have messed around in my steering column before, maybe I ruined it with my silly tom-foolery?

Personally, I would be more worried about driving around with a broken one (that is already known to be shorting out) than installing a used one. But that's just my opinion.

Also, it is my understanding that only cars equipped with ESP have the G85 Steering Angle Sensor. It is certainly true that you must be careful removing and installing it. The amount of turns it has in each direction is not infinite. But on a non-angle-sensor version, I don't think a turn or so off center would create any problems. Ideally you do want to keep it on center, though. They are sensitive, but not precision (except in the case of the angle sensor, of course).

The self-canceling turn signal is a function of the clock spring as well. So that might have something to do with the clicking. The airbag system has a very sensitive fault system that will detect resistance problems in the wires/clock spring if there are any. If the airbag light is happy, I wouldn't be worried about that myself.

In reality, airbags themselves have a limited shelf life. After 10 years we should all be going back to the dealer any paying another $3000 for new bags/seat belt tensioners/etc so we can continue driving our cars safely. But nobody is doing that, are they. It's part of the risk of driving an old car. Some of the equipment may not work.

[Buckle]

I'm not really helping, but I must say that would be hilarious to witness

[Roadtrippn]

^^^^ Yes maybe a video would help ;) Good luck man

[Dunners75]

Hi, sorry for the thread resurrection but I have the same problem!

I pressed the horn one day (in anger) and noticed the note of the horn change. The rest of the journey saw the horn going off randomly every time I turned left. Took the fuse out to stop it but my car is coming up for its MOT so need to get it resolved.

I sometimes get an Air Bag warning light do unsure if it’s all related to the control unit, but will replace the whole unit anyway to avoid messing with any of the internals.

My question is, do I have to get the new unit coded to my car or will a replacement (used) unit just plug and play?

If it does need recoding, how much roughly should I be looking to pay for this so I don’t get ripped off?

Thanks for any help on this 👍