2017 JCW horn not working
Discussion
Had my JCW Hatch for a couple of months now and went to use the horn the other day only for nothing to happen! Literally had to press as hard as I could to get anything to happen. I've read on a few other forums that the fix is a new steering wheel! Anyone here experienced the same issue?!
On the Gen 2 the horn push is integrated into the air bag module that detaches from the main steering wheel rim. Gen 3 should be something similar. I dont know whether you can separate these parts, or if it is a case of replacing the combined airbag / horn push assembly.
On the Gen 2 you can pop off the airbag module by sticking an appropriate sized object up the hole at the bottom to press on the release meachanism. May be the same on the Gen 3. If you are havng a fiddle, recommend disconnecting the battery first if removing the airbag module.
Sorry this is all Gen 2 related but no experience of the Gen 3...
On the Gen 2 you can pop off the airbag module by sticking an appropriate sized object up the hole at the bottom to press on the release meachanism. May be the same on the Gen 3. If you are havng a fiddle, recommend disconnecting the battery first if removing the airbag module.
Sorry this is all Gen 2 related but no experience of the Gen 3...
BOR said:
Do you know how to dis-connect the battery ?
Yes, disconnect the black earth cable from the battery terminal in the engine bay (will need a spanner / wrnech to undo the tightening nut). In the Gen 2 the battery is located at the back right corner up near the windscreen as you look from the front. It's under a plastic access panel that flips up. Again, Gen 2 info so maybe not 100% accurate on a Gen 3 as regrads battery location / access.
I pesume it isn't under warranty, otherwise best to let Mini have a look...
Sorry Gazza, I meant the OP.
Anyway, as Gary says, you must disconnect the battery, otherwise the airbag will go off and you will die and we will get the blame.
Leave it for half an hour to allow any capacitors to discharge and stuff.
I think Gary mentioned removing the airbag already, but there are three holes, one behind each of the spokes of the wheel. You need to take something blunt and push it up along each hole until you hear/feel a retaining clip detatch. I had a T25 Torx to hand so used that, oddly enough this is actually the recommended tool, but anything blunt that fits will do.
This will either take you ten seconds to do, or in my case about ten mins trying to make contact with one of the clips.
The airbag / wheel centre will pop off.
There are still electrical connections attached to the bag, so carefully move it away from the wheel.
You could detach the connectors, but I was too scared of damaging the wires, so just held the part away from the wheel, but without putting any strain on these wires.
You can now see four(maybe five) brass coloured pads which are the contacts for the horn.
These get tarnished, and eventually don't form an electrical connection.
With a small piece of wet'n dry sandpaper, lightly polish each pad until it looks reasonably bright again.
Press the airbag back down on the wheel, but be careful of trapping any of the wiring.
Reconnect battery, horn should now work.
Anyway, as Gary says, you must disconnect the battery, otherwise the airbag will go off and you will die and we will get the blame.
Leave it for half an hour to allow any capacitors to discharge and stuff.
I think Gary mentioned removing the airbag already, but there are three holes, one behind each of the spokes of the wheel. You need to take something blunt and push it up along each hole until you hear/feel a retaining clip detatch. I had a T25 Torx to hand so used that, oddly enough this is actually the recommended tool, but anything blunt that fits will do.
This will either take you ten seconds to do, or in my case about ten mins trying to make contact with one of the clips.
The airbag / wheel centre will pop off.
There are still electrical connections attached to the bag, so carefully move it away from the wheel.
You could detach the connectors, but I was too scared of damaging the wires, so just held the part away from the wheel, but without putting any strain on these wires.
You can now see four(maybe five) brass coloured pads which are the contacts for the horn.
These get tarnished, and eventually don't form an electrical connection.
With a small piece of wet'n dry sandpaper, lightly polish each pad until it looks reasonably bright again.
Press the airbag back down on the wheel, but be careful of trapping any of the wiring.
Reconnect battery, horn should now work.
highway said:
It’s a well known issue they will happily fix in warranty with a new wheel. No need for diy on 17 plate car.
That's actually what I've done after remembering it's still well within warranty! Although I did call 3 different dealers and not one said they were aware of it as a known issue! 
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