Fender bender in my own driveway - BMW horn dead
12-23-2011, 06:41 PM
#1
Members
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2011
Location: SC
Posts: 124
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 2008 535i2008 535i Monaco Blue
PP, SP, SAT w/paddles, AS, CA, L7,
NAV, PDC, Heated F Seats, SIRIUS,
iPod+Aux, Bamboo Anthracite Wood Trim
My son unexpectedly arrived in our driveway, stopped the engine of his E36, removed the key and was about to open the door when he noticed that my wife had just started backing up. Desperately trying to honk the horn which stayed mute and the next thing I heard inside the house was a loud thud. Fortunately nobody got hurt. When my son tried to explain that his horn did not work I thought that he might have been negligent in keeping his bimmer properly maintained and to prove a point I went inside the garage, opened the door to my E60 and pushed down on the horn ring and ... nothing!
If this is a BMW feature, I surely can be without it. There are are a number of scenarios coming to mind where a dead horn, especially with somebody in the car, could be dangerous. I tried a few non BMWs and all kept their horn alive at all times.
If this is a BMW feature, I surely can be without it. There are are a number of scenarios coming to mind where a dead horn, especially with somebody in the car, could be dangerous. I tried a few non BMWs and all kept their horn alive at all times.
12-23-2011, 09:07 PM
#3
Senior Members
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Toronto, Canada
Posts: 521
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 2012 535i X-driveSpace Grey/Black Dakota, Fineline Anthracite Trim; Executive Package (Rear View, Lumbar, Nav, Voice, SIRIUS, HiFi Pro) Technology Package (Hi Beam Assist, Lane Departure, Blind Spot Detection, Surround View) BMW Apps (Apps, Smart Pho
Model Year: 2012
On BMWs with ignition off, horn is dead.
12-23-2011, 09:31 PM
#4
Senior Members
Ouch that does suck. Just a few weeks ago a neighbor got the attention of someone in the parking garage that would not have otherwise noticed her during a medical emergency she was having by pressing on the horn. The car was turned off to the best of my knowledge. Seems like a feature you'd always want available.
12-24-2011, 04:35 AM
#5
Contributors
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: The State of Southern NJ!
Posts: 5,972
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I don't recall any "European" car I've ever owned since 1990 (Audi, VW, Mercedes) keeping the horn circuit "live" after the ignition was turned off. BTW, I owned some of those since the '70's but can't remember if their horns worked after I turned the car(s) off. If I knew this question would come up in 2011 I would have taken notes 
.
That said, as previously noted, I too have "automatically" backed up only to be surprised that someone had pulled in behind me between the time I started the car and checked my mirrors
... At least it wasn't a pedestrian and it sounds like there was more embarrassment than damage this time.
. That said, as previously noted, I too have "automatically" backed up only to be surprised that someone had pulled in behind me between the time I started the car and checked my mirrors
... At least it wasn't a pedestrian and it sounds like there was more embarrassment than damage this time.
12-24-2011, 05:34 AM
#6
Members
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2011
Location: SC
Posts: 124
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 2008 535i2008 535i Monaco Blue
PP, SP, SAT w/paddles, AS, CA, L7,
NAV, PDC, Heated F Seats, SIRIUS,
iPod+Aux, Bamboo Anthracite Wood Trim
I don't recall any "European" car I've ever owned since 1990 (Audi, VW, Mercedes) keeping the horn circuit "live" after the ignition was turned off. BTW, I owned some of those since the '70's but can't remember if their horns worked after I turned the car(s) off. If I knew this question would come up in 2011 I would have taken notes .
That said, as previously noted, I too have "automatically" backed up only to be surprised that someone had pulled in behind me between the time I started the car and checked my mirrors ... At least it wasn't a pedestrian and it sounds like there was more embarrassment than damage this time.
. That said, as previously noted, I too have "automatically" backed up only to be surprised that someone had pulled in behind me between the time I started the car and checked my mirrors
... At least it wasn't a pedestrian and it sounds like there was more embarrassment than damage this time.I still have not gotten one good reason for not keeping the horn hot on European cars.
12-24-2011, 09:03 AM
#8
Contributors
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: The State of Southern NJ!
Posts: 5,972
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
And WOW -- sounds like even a horn wouldn't have been tooted in time to prevent your wife's catastrophic crash - Darn good thing it wasn't a (hornless) child she backed into.
12-24-2011, 09:46 AM
#10
Contributors
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: CA
Posts: 5,781
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes
on
2 Posts
My Ride: BMW E60
Model Year: 2016
I am wondering if your wife had the music blasting. I can't imagine your son wouldn't be screaming "MOM MOM MOM STOP STOP STOP!" if she had the time to open her door and tried to press the horn. I probably would've ran up to the car and tried to get attention instead.
Also, I am slightly confused. In the first post you said son, but you just said your daughter's Civic? Son was driving daughter's car... or you got your "story" mixed up?
Also, I am slightly confused. In the first post you said son, but you just said your daughter's Civic? Son was driving daughter's car... or you got your "story" mixed up?