I have a 2006 Mini, I've only had it about 2 weeks, so I'm still getting used to everything. But one thing I've noticed is you have to press down on the horn a bit harder than other cars to get it to honk, I mean you honestly have to put a bit of muscle into it. Which seems a bit weird to me.

I was just wondering if this was normal and I'm just not used to it cause I'm so new to minis, or this is an actual problem, since I did read something somewhere about the horns wearing out in first gen minis a while back

 

Felt this way for me as well the firs month I had my 2006. I think I got used to it though as it doesn't feel like it takes much effort at all. Neither that or I subconsciously know to press it hard.

 

The horn is actually on the silver ring. Are you pressing on the center instead of the ring?

 

I was pressing on the area around the center, because I saw/can see a horn symbol on it, but I didn't know it was on the silver ring specifically....good to know

 

I am assuming you got your car used?

The horn button is actually a metal semi-ring like U device, behind the airbag that "floats on springs" above the two contact points on the left and the right of the center wheel hub. Pressing on the airbag, presses the grounded U-ring onto a contact.

I have seen these rings bent from what I assume was either a deployed airbag or a heavy honker.

Try the left or the right side of the airbag to see which side works better. I bet the left side does.

The attached picture shows the U-ring highlighted in red.

 

I dunno if it deployed but there's just no way I can easily tap the horn or anything....I really have to put some pressure on it

If it is bent, how easy is it to fix/replace?

 

Check if there are two small holes at the 2 and 10 o'clock positions on the hub behind the actual part of the wheel you hold your hands on, before it connects to the steering column. There may be small dimples or slices. If that exists, your airbag has been replaced or removed at some point as you have to cut through the steering wheel. I use an allen key to push on the release inside to release the airbag. It is hard to explain, let me see if I can find a link for directions somewhere.... You can then remove the airbag and inspect the metal piece, bend, clean etc.

Only a new wheel will not have the wheel skin broken.

 

Here you go. Don't forget if you are not comfortable doing this you can kill yourself or be seriously injured.

http://www.billswebspace.com/MiniR53...stallation.htm

http://www.billswebspace.com/MiniR53...s/image032.jpg is the picture you can see the dimple where he inserts his tool to release the clip.

 

yeah there are 2 small dimples at about the 9 & 3 positions

Ok well that explains it, I mean it's not a big shock since we knew from the carfax we got before we bought it as well as the guy we bought it from telling us that it had been in a front end accident. Though of course it had been completely repaired.

Oh well thanks for the info but I'm not going to start messing w/ it right now. I mean as I said it does work and everything so maybe down the line I'll get it fixed.