Horn not working - MG ZT 190

Ian_S · 3rd July 2019, 21:25

I am hoping someone may be able to help me with the horn on my MG ZT 190, which recently stopped working.

It did sound like it was on it's way out the last few times I used it, before it stopped working altogether. When pressing either horn button on the steering wheel I get a clicking from near the glove box, which I understand is the relay.

I believe there are two horns on the car. Are both used when pressing the horn button or is just one used, with the other being used just for the alarm?
If the two horns are used separately I guess I could presume that the horn itself is faulty?

trebor · 3rd July 2019, 22:16

Unless someone has retro fitted a second horn you will only have one as standard so if that's stopped working you'll have nothing, bumper off job to replace and while you are at it fit both high and low tones as it sounds much better.

The alarm can be improved by fitting a Battery Back Up Sounder

Ian_S · 4th July 2019, 07:55

Thanks for the reply.

So is the same horn is used for both the alarm and the steering wheel buttons? If so, then presumably the horn is not the issue?

Is the dual tone horn a straight like for like swap?

SD1too · 4th July 2019, 09:31

Ian, I think some clarification might help.

Two horns were fitted initially; low and high frequency, a 'twin tone' set-up, both operated simultaneously when the horn buttons are pressed.
Later the specification was reduced to one horn, probably part of Project Drive.

According to RAVE, the alarm has its own horn which makes the same sound as the low frequency service horn.

To trace your fault, I suggest examining the electrical connections nearest the horns where they are exposed to weather. A multimeter should show you if the 12v supply is reaching them.

Simon

Dallas · 4th July 2019, 09:36

There are two horns on my ZT190, both at the front on the slam panel, sometimes the wires can rub against the edge of the slam panel, and I'm sure my alarm has its own sounder.

Check your horn fuse first I guess.

Ian_S · 5th July 2019, 20:14

Ok, thanks for your help. I have bought a replacement horn and hopefully that will do the trick.

3rd July 2019, 21:25	#1
Ian_S Newbie MG ZT Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Milton Keynes Posts: 5 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Horn not working - MG ZT 190 I am hoping someone may be able to help me with the horn on my MG ZT 190, which recently stopped working. It did sound like it was on it's way out the last few times I used it, before it stopped working altogether. When pressing either horn button on the steering wheel I get a clicking from near the glove box, which I understand is the relay. I believe there are two horns on the car. Are both used when pressing the horn button or is just one used, with the other being used just for the alarm? If the two horns are used separately I guess I could presume that the horn itself is faulty?

3rd July 2019, 22:16	#2
trebor This is my second home Rover 75 CDTi Connoisseur SE & MG ZT Saloon 190 Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Coven Posts: 12,522 Thanks: 526 Thanked 1,877 Times in 885 Posts	Unless someone has retro fitted a second horn you will only have one as standard so if that's stopped working you'll have nothing, bumper off job to replace and while you are at it fit both high and low tones as it sounds much better. The alarm can be improved by fitting a Battery Back Up Sounder __________________ www.midlandsnanomeets.co.uk Robs Car Gallery Coven near Wolverhampton WV9 2000 Cowley Built Rover 75 2.0 V6 Club SE/ Atlantic Blue/ Sandstone/Walnut (daily driver) 2003 Land Rover Freelander 1 TD4 HSE Helsinki Blue/Black Leather (swmbo daily driver)

4th July 2019, 09:31	#4
SD1too Doesn't do things by halves Rover 75 2.5 Connoisseur Auto (1999) Dealer launch model. Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Former Middlesex Posts: 20,344 Thanks: 1,587 Thanked 3,749 Times in 3,181 Posts	Ian, I think some clarification might help. Two horns were fitted initially; low and high frequency, a 'twin tone' set-up, both operated simultaneously when the horn buttons are pressed. Later the specification was reduced to one horn, probably part of Project Drive. According to RAVE, the alarm has its own horn which makes the same sound as the low frequency service horn. To trace your fault, I suggest examining the electrical connections nearest the horns where they are exposed to weather. A multimeter should show you if the 12v supply is reaching them. Simon __________________ "Whatever is rightly done, however humble, is noble." Sir Henry Royce.

4th July 2019, 07:55	#3
Ian_S Newbie MG ZT Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Milton Keynes Posts: 5 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks for the reply. So is the same horn is used for both the alarm and the steering wheel buttons? If so, then presumably the horn is not the issue? Is the dual tone horn a straight like for like swap?

4th July 2019, 09:36	#5
Dallas This is my second home 1979 Capri 1.6L, 1982 Capri 1.6L, 2016 Dacia Stepway Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Dorset Posts: 8,595 Thanks: 3,496 Thanked 3,397 Times in 2,218 Posts	There are two horns on my ZT190, both at the front on the slam panel, sometimes the wires can rub against the edge of the slam panel, and I'm sure my alarm has its own sounder. Check your horn fuse first I guess.

5th July 2019, 20:14	#6
Ian_S Newbie MG ZT Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Milton Keynes Posts: 5 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Ok, thanks for your help. I have bought a replacement horn and hopefully that will do the trick.