Broken horn, need advice dealing with dealership

A couple weeks ago I moved my horns to the lower valence following these instructions: http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2n...atoshi-grill-horn-relocation-w-lots-pics.html

Recently I noticed that one of the two horns is not functioning. I connected the working horn to both wire connections to determine if it was a wiring issue. It was not, the working horn worked just fine with both connections whereas the broken horn did not. The dealership service manager basically told me I was effed because I modified the horns by moving them and wouldn't even bother to inspect them. I contacted Toyota Corporate and explained the situation. They told me they would elevate the situation over the service manager's head and have the horns inspected but that I would be liable for the charges incurred if in fact it was an issue due to modification. I guess what I'm looking for is some advice on how to be sure that it was not my fault before going forward with the inspection. I see no mud caked in the horn or evidence of excessive water. Any and all advice is appreciated, thanks.

 

Gonna be tough to prove one way or the other.

Occam's Razor says it's probably your fault.

How, I don't know?

 

get ye to the local autoparts store...horns are CHEAP.

Howard

 

True, looking for free though since it's under warranty and I truly believe it's not my fault.

 

The burden of proof is on the dealership. Have them inspect the horns, if they try to blame you,ask them how your moving the horns caused the failure. It is possible that you did mess them up, but they have to prove it to deny a warranty claim. If it is your fault, then you are buying a new horn.

 

Move them back then go to different dealer.
Or just buy a new pair of horns.

 

Agreed, do you have any advice on how I can inspect them beforehand to try to determine whether or not it's my fault?

Not really an option, I've mounted a BAMF behind grill light bar mount with and OKLED bar.

 

Unless you see some physical damage I do not know that you can really inspect them. You could take them apart, but that would certainly void the warranty on them.

 

Wait and see what the dealer says. Worst case is that you're buying a near horn.

 

I say you have a bad ground on your horn that doesn't work. Quite often people think their horn blew when, in fact, its just the ground. Try hooking 12V directly to it and see if it works.

I guess you would feel pretty dumb arguing with the dealer to get it replaced if they find it still works...

 

This.

Grounding can be iffy on the radiator support. Temporarily run a separate ground wire from the horn mounting bracket directly to the battery and see if it fires. If so, you have a bad ground.

 

Nope, no water in the horn.

Regarding the ground, I'm not electronically savvy but... wouldn't that problem have been ruled out when I tested both connections on the working horn?

 

Put one of those stickers on your truck "Horn broken, watch for finger" J/K

Perhaps when you moved the horns the connection got stretched just a tad bit too far and is not making contact with the horn?

 

The horn gets 12v through the plug from the battery but in order for the horn to work, there has to be a way for the current to go back to the battery(neg). Electricity only works as a circuit.

In this picture: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v335/1desertdog/HORNWIRINGDIAGRAM.jpg

The black wire going from the neg of the horns to the neg of the battery is in fact the body. There is no physical wire to ground these horns.
Hope that helps!

 

Pick your battles dude. True in many facets of life. If you have to piss a dealership off by fighting for a warranty repair, it shouldn't be over a $10 part.

 

Thanks everyone for the explanations. Very helpful

I agree which is why I'm on here seeking advice before I stir things up. And a factory horn is $60. Hence the reason I am looking into this a little further.

 

Go to a junk yard. Probably get one for like $5 and avoid the stealership.

 

^That's a good idea. I live in a small town so pickings will be slim but definitely worth a shot. Thanks.

 

unless it is bad from the factory, you can't really screw up a horn. it is just a coil of wire. You can hook it up backwards or the right way or different voltage + - 10% and it won't hurt them. Sounds like a connection problem or it got damaged in moving it, specially if you drop it.

 

Did they work before you moved them? If it stopped after you moved it then you broke it.