A&Q about Lotus
Q:
I know that the horn problem has been talked about before, but I don't think we ever figured out how to fix it. I am seriously thinking about disabling the horn somehow. I keep inadvertently hitting it and it is really, really embarrassing each time I have done it . Seems like whenever I actually do need to let someone know they are cutting in on me, I can't find it on the wheel. Besides, in every accident I've been involved in where I hit the horn, the other individual slammed into me anyway. So, what do you guys think? Pull a fuse? Clip a wire? Relocate the horn to another part of the dashboard? If someone has done this before, sorry for the repost.
A:
I wouldn't recommend it, but the easiest way is to pull the fuse. I don't recall offhand which one it is, but it is in the fuse box under the passenger-side front access panel. The owners manual probably provides the fuse number. IIRC, it's a 7-amp fuse.
A:
Thanks Chris. I prefer to have a horn, but as I said, the current setup isn't effective (for me). I am going to try to find some way to relocate it.
Actually, I was thinking, it may be easier to pull the fuse and disable the one on the wheel and ADD a second horn. I seriously doubt they weigh much, and a button on the dash would be as effective. Hmmm...
A:
It's a ten amp fuse (red in color) and it's number two if you start counting at the fuse closest to the driver's side front of the car and count back towards the windshield.
xtn
A:
Hey XTN,
Did you pull your fuse?
A:
I found these:
Not exactly sure how/where to mount the actual horn though.
A:
Well, I pulled it for replacement purposes. There is even a cheap plastic fuse puller attached to the fuse box. There is a fuse schedule in the manual. Or heck, maybe it's in the service manual, I don't remember. I think it's in the standard owner's manual though.
xtn
A:
Wow... I'd recommend against it. I drove mine with a disabled horn once and it was the most nervous I've ever been in the car. I went straight home to get another car to go get a replacement fuse - didn't even want to go a bit out of the way without a horn.
You eventually get used to the horn button placement while driving. I still haven't gotten used to it for emergency use though.
A:
Originally Posted by codymac
You eventually get used to the horn button placement while driving. I still haven't gotten used to it for emergency use though.
+1! I can find it out on the track taking a corner...but I'll be damned if I don't push the center when I need it on the road!
A:
Originally Posted by codymac
Wow... I'd recommend against it. I drove mine with a disabled horn once and it was the most nervous I've ever been in the car. I went straight home to get another car to go get a replacement fuse - didn't even want to go a bit out of the way without a horn.
I pulled mine for a track day, as I'd had the honking problem during a pseudo-autocross and figured that I'd make enoug of a fool out of myself without getting everyone's attention to watch first) and I'm not sure if I will again... I forgot to put the fuse back in (um, I'm blonde ) and then went to a car club meet.
I drive the Lotus and Terry drives the MINI... We're all pulling out to go to dinner and he's in front of me and merging left. I'm following closely (fly in formation, right?). He suddenly gets the brilliant idea that REVERSE would be a good gear. (He claimed later he thought someone in front of him was backing up. I'm not sure where he thought I'd gone.)
Well, I'm behind his passenger side, but he can't see me - and I have someone right on my tail, so I can't go anywhere. I'm pressing furiously on the horn buttons, but nothing is happening (why is it that you'll continue to try even though you know it didn't work last time??). I'm rolling down the window and preparing to use my alpha-female tone just as the backup sensors on the MINI go off (and to think I thought backup sensors on a MINI were useless) and he decides that stopping would be good.
So, yeah, horns are handy. Put the fuse back in that night.
A:
Originally Posted by Eclise
Actually, I was thinking, it may be easier to pull the fuse and disable the one on the wheel and ADD a second horn. I seriously doubt they weigh much, and a button on the dash would be as effective. Hmmm...
That might not be a bad idea. People don't seem to hear the stock horn anyway. You could mount his one on your outside mirror, well out of the way for track use.
A:
LOL, Chris. I hate to admit it, but this actually passed through my head for a second or two:
A:
Originally Posted by Rugbyduck
+1! I can find it out on the track taking a corner...but I'll be damned if I don't push the center when I need it on the road!
+1. Found myself slapping the airbag cover the other day when someone in front of me failed to notice the light had turned green.
A:
After I got run over by a truck in my elise I actually carried one for a while (boat horn). The lady claimed she didn't see me and could'nt hear my horn because she had a diesol.
A:
Heck a hypothetical person --- let's say he's a Lotus salesman, and let's say he is backing up a hypothetical Honda Accord from about six feet in front of your parked Lotus at about 2-3 miles per hour, and let's say, hypothetically speaking, that he has his windows down too --- can't hear the factory Lotus horn over the idling engine of that hypothetical Honda Accord.
The lack of volume might contribute, hypothetically, to about $16,000 worth of damage to your Lotus.
xtn
A:
I installed a switch to disable my horn. I got tired of pulling the fuse. The switch is mounted on the right side of steering column/plastic cover. The horn wire was easy to find. I'll post a picture.
A:
Originally Posted by xtn
Heck a hypothetical person --- let's say he's a Lotus salesman, and let's say he is backing up a hypothetical Honda Accord from about six feet in front of your parked Lotus at about 2-3 miles per hour, and let's say, hypothetically speaking, that he has his windows down too --- can't hear the factory Lotus horn over the idling engine of that hypothetical Honda Accord.
The lack of volume might contribute, hypothetically, to about $16,000 worth of damage to your Lotus.
xtn
I'd hypothetically replace the OEM horn with an airhorn.
A:
i have the same problem. I would love to move the horn button to the airbag cover.
A:
Originally Posted by codymac
I'd hypothetically replace the OEM horn with an airhorn.
Sir, for you're trouble you've won a year's supply of Rice-A-Rony, The San Francisco Treat, available in your choice of one flavor.
xtn
PS - What's your plan for Sat, Sun, Mon & Tue regarding event attendance and lodging?
A:
LOL, xtn.
Jim-Clayton, I would be very appreciative of any photos of your setup and a description of the wires and how you got to them. Your solution seems the simplest and lightest.