2004 CLK 200 Kompressor Horn Activates when Cornering!

[Scott275]

I've had my car for a couple of years now, and I love driving it.

But about a year ago I started to get this issue where turning the wheel a certain amount activates the horn! Which I'm sure you can imagine makes for seriously anxious driving, not knowing when it will happen.

At the time, I took my car to a MB Dealership in hopes that they'd be able to properly repair it (bad expensive idea). But on the plus side, the issue was gone.

Over the last couple of months, the horn has started to have issues again, but much more infrequently. It has only happened 3 times over the last two months. Those days also happened to be hot, I don't suppose that has an effect on it?

Additionally, I've also noticed the horn activates briefly when you go over certain bumps.

Has anyone here had the same issue with this model?

From what I've read on here, it appears the issue may be something to do with a clock spring needing replacing behind the airbag, but I wanted to ask in case anyone has any advice.

Thanks!

 

[bembo449]

clock springs failed

 

[Scott275]

Thank you for the quick response!

Okay, I'll see about getting them replaced. Do you know how much it would be expected to cost? Also do you know any good Merc specialists in the Midlands? I'm in Nottingham, and finding one close by would be brilliant

 

[Craiglxviii]

Thank you for the quick response!

Okay, I'll see about getting them replaced. Do you know how much it would be expected to cost? Also do you know any good Merc specialists in the Midlands? I'm in Nottingham, and finding one close by would be brilliant

Ask @V6Matty he is close to you!

 

[V6Matty]

Thank you for the quick response!

Okay, I'll see about getting them replaced. Do you know how much it would be expected to cost? Also do you know any good Merc specialists in the Midlands? I'm in Nottingham, and finding one close by would be brilliant

As Craig mentioned, I use MBCentre out by the racecourse, they’re always busy so may be a couple of weeks before they can fit you in.
https://www.mb-centre.co.uk/

 

[mioba]

Mercserve, Radford Road, Roger and Nate, top blokes, I have used them 15 years and nothing is too big or small for them to do!


Let us know how you get on!

 

[Scott275]

Thank you for your suggestions! I'll get in touch with them and let you know how things go!

I could do with getting a service check for my car, as it has been giving me a message on the dashboard recently, and get one of the bonnet latch screws replaced there too.

 

[Scott275]

I'm booked in to visit them in a weeks time, and I've been given a quote of £120 for fixing the clock spring and replacing the bonnet latch screw (which had sheered). Does that sound like a suitable price?

 

[V6Matty]

I'm booked in to visit them in a weeks time, and I've been given a quote of £120 for fixing the clock spring and replacing the bonnet latch screw (which had sheered). Does that sound like a suitable price?

That sounds about right, the parts aren’t that much but it’s a good couple of hours labour to do both.

 

[mioba]

good stuff, where are you booked in, let us know how you got on!

 

[Scott275]

I booked in with Mercserve on Thursday, they're quite closeby. I'll keep you informed!

 

[Scott275]

When it comes to fixing this issue, do you know if they're likely to need to replace the clock spring entirely? Or is it a part they could repair at the time?

 

[Scott275]

Great news! Mercserve fixed the horn issue!

I got there this morning, and mentioned you guys recommended them for me to visit, and they've been great!

What it turned out to be was that the horn button was slightly lopsided. The righthand side contact of the horn button was way closer together than the left, so close that certain pressure on the button, pressure on the wheel from sterring in certain angles, and driving over bumps would cause the horn to activate sporadically.

They took the steering wheel apart and put it back together with an appropriate gap between the horn button contacts. They also demonstrated it to me at the time, showing that now that the horn only sounds when you properly press the button in the centre of the wheel (as it should do), rather than just activating at slight pressure to the right and all.

On top of this, they replaced the sheared bolt on one of the bonnet lid latches, and replaced the bonnet lid release wire which had become stretched.

All of the above sorted in a couple of hours, for £60. Very happy with the results.