Horn Hesitation

AML · Dec 14, 2017

Hello - New member and first time Jeep owner. Love my 2015 Patriot but I inherited a few issues. One of which is the horn - there is a slight hesitation when you press it, before it makes a sound. The sound is also a little weaker than I expected from an SUV.

Any suggestions?

Thx

JeepCares · Dec 14, 2017

AML said:
Hello - New member and first time Jeep owner. Love my 2015 Patriot but I inherited a few issues. One of which is the horn - there is a slight hesitation when you press it, before it makes a sound. The sound is also a little weaker than I expected from an SUV.

Any suggestions?

Thx

Hi AML,

I checked bulletins on my end and did not see anything that matched your symptoms. If you decide to visit your Jeep dealership and need any further assistance, please let me know!

Kori
Jeep Social Care Specialist

Treegrower · Dec 15, 2017

I've felt that my 2014 always had a lag in the horn operation. Here's a link to Wrangler forum where they blame it on the modern computer system and no longer a direct wire link between the horn button and honker:

Am I insane, or does the horn "lag" - Jeep Wrangler Forum

"That's the CAN bus. No more solid electrical connection. Request for action (like blowing the horn) have to go through the master computer. "

AML · Dec 15, 2017

Treegrower said:
I've felt that my 2014 always had a lag in the horn operation. Here's a link to Wrangler forum where they blame it on the modern computer system and no longer a direct wire link between the horn button and honker:

Am I insane, or does the horn "lag" - Jeep Wrangler Forum

"That's the CAN bus. No more solid electrical connection. Request for action (like blowing the horn) have to go through the master computer. "

Ah thanks. That’s a bummer. Routing the horn through the computer seems heavy handed.

jack.allwardt · Dec 15, 2017

Yes, I've noticed the "horn hesitation" on both of my Patriots--fortunately, I don't drive in rush hour traffic and don't use the horn very often...

Regarding weak sounding, single tone horn try something like this: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002Q86MG/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 You may need to fabricate a jumper to electrically connect the horns, and remove a portion of the fender liner for easy access to the horn location, but it will sound more like a "real" car...

Ignatz · Dec 15, 2017

Yeah, running the horn button through a computer seems ridiculous, but that's the way it is.

As for making it louder, you can buy almost anything you want. The Jeep peep does seem rather anemic. You could do what my BIL did to his Dodge Ram. I borrowed it one day and while caught in traffic I thought I'd be nice and let a couple girls turn in front of me, so I tapped the horn button. :surprise: Trains aren't that loud! Knowing him, I should have expected that.

AML · Dec 16, 2017

Thanks, everyone for your replies and suggestions.

Check out the video in my signature*. It's more than just the time it takes for the computer to register the button being pressed (which should literally be no time, really). You can hear the click of the horn button and then the horn's tone. The horn is still audible after the button has been let up.

Am I being picky? Never had a horn react so slowly.

*haven't posted enough to put the link in the post :doh:

rush549 · Dec 17, 2017

Find the horn. Spray some WD-40 deep in the opening in the horn. It's probably sticky. It might take a few blasts before it comes back. If that doesn't work, use this.

MrChips · Dec 17, 2017

Your delays is 'normal', according to FCA.

A Stealership will charge you $160 to 'diagnose' it and tell you that.

This is likely due to the low-speed CANBUS the Patriot uses.

My horn button also doesn't sound the horn reliably unles syou use hte upper half of the button, which FCA also says is 'normal'.

Horn Hesitation

AML

JeepCares

Treegrower

AML

jack.allwardt

Ignatz

AML

rush549

MrChips

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