Q: My horn started going off for no reason then when I was driving yesterday my car stop going and I had to pull over.

asked by on August 06, 2016

The horn suddenly started going off for no reason even when the car was parked. Then yesterday it stalled on me when I was going 55 mph the gas stopped working.. It turns but won't start. Almost like it's not getting fuel.

My car has 185000 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.

Car is stalling Inspection $94.99 - $114.99 Get a Quote
Car is not starting Inspection $94.99 - $114.99 Get a Quote

When a horn goes off like this, it is usually because something in the steering column has come loose making an electrical connection for the horn. This will require the disassembly of the horn pad to investigate. Often this will be all you need to do. Other times you will need to dig in deeper into the column.

As for the stalling, these two are not likely related. Unless the ignition wire in the steering column is part of the same harness that is causing the horn problem. This is certainly a possibility, but the ignition is usually housed much better than the horn. These two circuits don’t interact with each other unless there are some fairly major wiring issues. It is possible on a twenty year old vehicle though.

As for why your car won’t start, this will need to be diagnosed by a certified technician, such as one from YourMechanic. This requires a spark tester, noid light, and a fuel pressure gauge. Once you figure out what the motor is missing, you can then pursue the problem further.

Good luck!

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

What type of engine oil should I use?
Engine oil lubricates the engine and helps prevent harmful friction from developing. The right type of oil is necessary as well. While all oils work in the same way, using an oil that is too thick or too thin can...
Car shakes entirely - 2015 Acura TLX
Hi! That's an unsual issue on such a new vehicle. I'm curious what the Acura dealer service department said about this. Being that your TLX is so new and covered under warranty, I suggest talking with the service manager about...
High temperature with acceleration - 2013 Dodge Challenger
Hello there, under all driving condition your 2013 Dodge Charger, the temperature should not rise outside normal operating temperatures. If the engine is getting hot during acceleration, then there is likely a problem. The most common faults would be a...
When I fill my taknk up gas is on the ground under my car
Of course it is possible that a leak in a steel fuel supply line (due to corrosion), or a rubber hose, occurred after the pump was put in, but that would be quite a coincidence. More likely, if the leak...
Steer wheel audio control
Hello, and thank you for writing in. Without knowing the make and model of the vehicle, it is impossible to know what kind of programming may be behind the issue. There may also be an electrical issue, but again we...
No MIL light
The check engine light (CEL) has to be working to pass inspection in most states. When you turn on the key before starting the car, it should be illuminated, as should most of the other warning lights on the dashboard....
Can a bad ignition coil cause a p0335 and a p0340
If you request a no start diagnostic (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/car-is-not-starting-inspection) the responding certified mechanic will identify the root cause of the no start and get this resolved for you promptly. The two codes that you note do not normally implicate the ignition...
My engine fan is not running wil it hurt to drive the car for 3 hours on a trip as long as it doesn't get hot
It sounds like you may have a faulty coolant fan relay (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/cooling-fan-relay-replacement). The coolant fan relay helps to maintain the proper coolant temperature by turning on and off at specific temperature thresholds. When this relay is not working properly, this...
My car won’t accelerate passed 20mph but the RPM accelerated all the way to 7 or higher . One day my heat went out
If engine speed is steadily increasing but the car is not travelling faster, there is something amiss with the transmission. Perhaps the transmission is not shifting out of the low gears. The recommended service to get the underlying fault pinpointed...

Related articles

The Best Used Cars to Buy If You're an Undercover Cop
If If you're an undercover cop, when you choose a used vehicle, your main purpose is to look like anything but a cop. That means, of course, that an unmarked Crown Victoria is probably not the wisest choice. We’ve evaluated...
How Long Does a Throttle/Accelerator Pedal Position Sensor Last?
The The throttle/accelerator pedal position sensor detects the position of the accelerator pedal. This information is then transmitted to the vehicle’s computer - the engine control module (ECM). From there, the data is then sent from the computer to the...
How to Replace a Horn Relay
A car horn uses a horn relay to power it and make sound. A faulty relay can be replaced by safely disconnecting the old one and plugging in a new one.