Paging Weasel - isolating horn issue
 

Alright fellow BMW tech heads...

Horn is shot. Checked the fuse and it looks fine.

Debating between the clock spring or the horn itself.
I'd hate to drop the front bumper and it turns out it's the clock spring.
Any tips on further narrowing-isolating down what the problem would be.

The easiest way would be to just get to the horn and check the power to it when you hit the horn with a meter. I know the horn is tucked away, but that is the most simple diagnosis technique in cases like that.

I've yet to eyeball the location to see how accessible it is. I do know it's on the DS tucked behind the bumper....

If I remember right you get to it through the fender liner, but don't hold me to it. :D

Try just loosening the lower fender liner in that front corner and peek in there with a flashlight.

I guess clock spring it is...grrr.
I was not planning to isolate until this weekend. ]
CEO emailed me and told me the horn is working today after it stopped working for 3 days...

Gotta look up the price of the clock spring.
Not looking forward to it, as it's a mission to get access to my battery ( I have a complex stereo install that is all buttoned up).

Weasel, any inside tips on how to remove the airbig WITH battery still hooked up and not trigger any lights...

Just have the key off long enough for it to go to sleep... then the circuit is not monitored. But as soon as you put the key in, it is monitored again. My suggestion would be to pop the airbag loose (leaving it plugged in) first so you can turn the wheel to get to the releases, then wait a few minutes with the key out before unplugging it.

it's been a long while since I've done it, but if I recall with steering wheel at 12oclock, and the right sized flathead handle on the drivers side, I did not need to move the steering wheel when removing the airbag.

I'm guess I'm going back in for a refresher course

what is this clock spring you are talking about?

Not really an actual clock spring like some vehicles have, but a coiled up ribbon cable to connect the steering wheel buttons etc to the rest of the vehicle

Many thanks, I see now...

when I think about it could this ring be somehow touched/damaged when my airbag and steering wheel trim (the plastic thing where the buttons are) where removed?
The wheel was not removed, but after this operation, the horn became temperamental...