PriceProtect™
DriveShield™
GarageGuard™
Services
Insurance
Car Insurance
Compare Car Insurance with Jerry
Jerry’s Expert Advice
Car Insurance Estimates
Home & Renters Insurance
Renters Insurance
Repairs
Car Repair Estimates
Repair Estimates for Popular Services
Advice
Read Car Content
Browse Jerry Car Advice
Check Out Expert Car QnA
Learn About How We Create Content
Jerry Data & Research
Is a car horn electric?
My car horn has been sounding kind of weak recently. I’m not sure if it’s a wiring issue or if there’s something else going on. Can you tell me if a car horn is actually electric?
Elaine Duvet · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
Oh no! It’s great that you’ve noticed the unusual tone so early on. It could be a faulty horn relay or a bad horn switch. It could also be, as you mentioned, a wiring problem.
Here’s what we know about how car horns are powered:
- Car horns operate on the principle of a vibrating metal diaphragm and consist of a slim metal disc composed of spring steel and an electromagnet.
- Electrically driven, the electromagnet (the solenoid) puts out a magnetic force on the disc causing it to flex.
- When you honk your horn, you’re essentially sending electricity from the battery to the horn. The completed circuit sends electricity through a wire connected to the car’s body.
Now that you know more about the inner workings of a car horn, you can feel confident consulting with a professional. Make sure you also feel comfortable when you’re on the open road with the best
car insurance
on the market.Awesome car insurance doesn’t need to break the bank. Have a question about your coverage? Download the
Jerry
super app. Jerry’s experienced and friendly team of agents are here to answer your questions and provide advice on the best coverage options. This level of service is why the trustworthy super app
earned a 4.7/5 rating on the App Store and made it the top insurance app in the country.View full answer
- Gregory R.
WHY YOU CAN TRUST JERRY
Jerry partners with more than 50 insurance companies, but our content is independently researched, written, and fact-checked by our team of editors and agents. We aren’t paid for reviews or other content.
Join 4M+ members in lowering their car insurance
You Might Also Be Interested
Read Advice From Car Experts At Jerry
What Others Are Asking
Browse More Content
Insurance in Your State
Easiest way to compare and buy car insurance
No long forms
No spam or unwanted phone calls
Quotes from top insurance companies