Where is the horn located under the hood?

Typically, the horn is mounted in the engine bay behind the front bumper, near the radiator core support; many vehicles use two horns placed on opposite sides. Exact placement varies by model, so if you can't locate it, consult your owner's manual.

Common locations under the hood

While placements vary by make and model, these are the most common spots to check first.

• Behind the front grille, attached to the radiator core support or to a bumper-brace bracket.


• On the left or right side of the engine bay, near the radiator support frame—often tucked behind a plastic cover or along a shock-tower area.


• Within the wheel well area behind a fender liner or inside the bumper region, depending on the car design.


• Some European models place a horn near the condenser or near the battery in the engine bay.

If you're unsure which location applies to your vehicle, refer to the owner's manual or a service diagram for your exact make/model.

How to safely locate and inspect the horn

These steps help you locate the horn while minimizing risk to yourself and the vehicle's electrical system.

1. Park on a level surface and turn off the ignition. Remove the key and engage the parking brake before you start.


2. Open the hood and inspect the front of the engine bay, focusing behind the grille and around the radiator core support for a horn-shaped component with two electrical terminals.


3. Check areas behind the bumper or within the wheel well if you don’t spot the horn immediately; use a flashlight to look for a two-wire connector going to a small circular or trumpet-shaped device.


4. Identify whether your car has a single horn or a dual-horn setup (some models have a high-tone and a low-tone horn mounted on opposite sides).


5. If you still cannot locate the horn, consult the owner’s manual or a repair diagram for your exact year, make, and model.

These checks should help you find the horn and understand its mounting style; avoid touching live electrical components, and seek professional help if you’re not comfortable working around the car’s electrical system.

What to do if the horn isn't working

If the horn doesn’t sound, the issue is usually electrical rather than mechanical. Start with these quick checks.

• Inspect the relevant fuse and relay in the vehicle’s fuse box; replace blown fuses and test relays with a known-good unit.


• Test the horn by activating the horn switch while a helper measures voltage at the horn connector with a multimeter or by listening for voltage when pressing the horn button (if safe to do so).


• Look for damaged or loose wiring, especially at the horn connector and along the path to the fuse/relay box; repair or replace as needed.


• If the horn itself is faulty, it may need replacement; some cars require replacing both horns in a dual-horn setup.

When in doubt, a qualified technician can diagnose electrical faults and replace or rewire the horn assembly as needed.

Summary

In most vehicles, the horn sits in the engine bay behind the front bumper, often near the radiator core support, with some models placing it on either side or inside the wheel well. Placement varies by manufacturer, so consult your manual for the exact location and, if necessary, seek professional help to inspect and replace the horn components.

Is it expensive to fix your car horn?

Shop labor: $50--150 for simple horn replacement; $150--400+ for steering column/clock spring or module-related repairs. Fixing a horn is often easy if the fault is a fuse, relay, or the horn itself; more complex when steering-wheel electronics or body-control modules are involved.

Where is the car horn located?

The car horn is typically located at the front of the vehicle, either behind the grille, on the radiator core support, under the bumper, or forward of the front wheel well. You can find its exact location by checking your owner's manual, or by listening for the sound while someone else presses the horn. 
This video shows the location of the car horn on a Toyota: 58sNazarettosYouTube · Oct 22, 2024

• Behind the grille: This is a very common location, as it's a protected but accessible spot. 
• On the radiator core support: This is the metal frame that supports the radiator and other components at the front of the engine bay. 
• Under the bumper: In some cases, horns can be located lower down, sometimes behind the front bumper. 
• Forward of the front wheel well: Some cars may have them mounted in a similar position to where the bumper is, but forward of the wheels. 

This video demonstrates how to find the car horn on a Honda: 48sEngineered MojoYouTube · Aug 29, 2022

How do I turn the car horn off?

To turn off a car horn, first try to physically unstick the horn button, or disconnect the car's battery for a temporary solution. For a permanent fix, you can pull the horn fuse from the fuse box or disconnect the horn's electrical wires directly. 
This video explains how to diagnose and fix a stuck car horn: 54s1A Auto: Repair Tips & Secrets Only Mechanics KnowYouTube · Jul 11, 2021
Temporary fixes

• Unstick the horn button: Gently tap or jiggle the horn button. Sometimes, it is simply stuck. 
• Disconnect the battery: This will cut all power to the horn. 
  • Open the hood and locate the battery. 
  • Loosen and remove the negative (black) terminal clamp. This is a temporary solution and will cut power to all vehicle electronics. 

Permanent fixes

• Pull the horn fuse: This is the most common and recommended way to permanently disable the horn. 
  • Locate the fuse box, which is often under the steering wheel or in the engine bay. 
  • Consult your owner's manual or look for a diagram on the fuse box cover to find the fuse labeled for the horn. 
  • Use a fuse puller or pliers to remove the fuse. 
  • Note: If the horn is part of the car alarm, pulling the fuse might affect other features. 
• Disconnect the horn's wires: If you cannot find the fuse or if the horn is still stuck after removing the fuse, you can disconnect the horn itself. 
  • Open the hood and locate the horn, which is usually mounted to the front of the vehicle. 
  • There is often more than one horn, so you will need to find them both. 
  • Disconnect the electrical connector(s) on the horn(s) by pressing down on the release tab and pulling it off. 

You can watch this video to learn how to check a car horn fuse: 56sYOUCANICYouTube · Dec 31, 2020
For a continually honking alarm

• Use the key: Manually unlock the driver's door with the physical key instead of the remote, which may reset the alarm. 
• Check the dashboard: Look for an "off" button or a button that may help deactivate the alarm. 
• Start the engine: Some alarms are disarmed by starting the engine. 
• Consult the owner's manual: Some modern vehicles have settings that can be adjusted in the infotainment system to disable certain sounds, such as the automatic horn honk when leaving the keys in the ignition. 

Can I drive my car if the horn is not working?

It's a safety feature that helps you warn other drivers of danger, alert someone to your presence, or avoid a potential collision. Without it, you lose a critical way of communicating on the road. Legally, your car must have a working horn to pass its MOT.