Horn not work when car is off?

nyc3r · 09-11-2006, 10:42 AM

I was sitting the car with the engine off one day and found out that the horns do NOT work unless the car was running. I haven't checked the manuals but have anyone else tried?

Boondoggler · 09-11-2006, 10:49 AM

Horn doesn't work unless the car is running. I tried it while off, and while the key fob was inserted and got nothing. When it was running the horn worked fine.

Interesting find, I was unaware of this until you mentioned it.

Oz · 09-11-2006, 11:03 AM

I may be wrong but I think this is how Germans cars are. It won't show how much fuel we have left unless we turn on the car either.

nyc3r · 09-11-2006, 11:05 AM

Guess you can't honk the horn to rush the wife/gf without turn on the car.

E90Brian · 09-11-2006, 11:42 AM

The Homelink (for cars equipped) doesn't work with the ignition off either.

nmulax · 09-11-2006, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by E90Brian

The Homelink (for cars equipped) doesn't work with the ignition off either.

I noticed this as well... it's frustrating since I'll pull into the garage, shut off the car and go to hit the button as I'm getting out of the car. I'll end up having to restart the car just to hit the button.

NFS · 09-11-2006, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nyc3r

I was sitting the car with the engine off one day and found out that the horns do NOT work unless the car was running. I haven't checked the manuals but have anyone else tried?

In the UK it is against the highway code to use the horn in a stationary vehicle.

A policeman would be able to give you a telling off - if they were not all busy trying to catch us speeding.

inTgr8r · 09-11-2006, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by needforspeed

In the UK it is against the highway code to use the horn in a stationary vehicle.

A policeman would be able to give you a telling off - if they were not all busy trying to catch us speeding.

All well & good on the street, but.....

I've been sitting in the parking lot while my wife runs into the store;
on more than one occasion I've used the horn to stop some idiot from backing into my car.

I don't like this at all!

BK · 09-11-2006, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nmulax

I noticed this as well... it's frustrating since I'll pull into the garage, shut off the car and go to hit the button as I'm getting out of the car. I'll end up having to restart the car just to hit the button.

When I press the button to turn off the car, the accessories are all still on until I get out and lock the car. So Homelink would still work. Not sure about the horn. I have CA, but does that make a difference?

inTgr8r · 09-11-2006, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BK

When I press the button to turn off the car, the accessories are all still on until I get out and lock the car. So Homelink would still work. Not sure about the horn. I have CA, but does that make a difference?

If it does, I just got off the fence re CA

.... anyone???

matt20043.0 · 09-11-2006, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by E90Brian

The Homelink (for cars equipped) doesn't work with the ignition off either.

YEAHHHHHHHHH.........you just solved the problem of me not being able to program my homelink

gos · 09-11-2006, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by inTgr8r

If it does, I just got off the fence re CA

.... anyone???

That's only true if you give a short press of the button. A long press (2s) to turn off the car will shut everything off.

Homelink won't work without a running car, otherwise it'd be a huge security risk if you park outside your own garage. Thief can break into your car, open your garage door, and enter your home.

Josh49 · 09-11-2006, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gos

Homelink won't work without a running car, otherwise it'd be a huge security risk if you park outside your own garage. Thief can break into your car, open your garage door, and enter your home.

Isn't the purpose of the garage to put the car inside of it!?!

However, exceptions do apply. For instance, if inside the garage is a Ferrari 430..

inTgr8r · 09-11-2006, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gos

That's only true if you give a short press of the button. A long press (2s) to turn off the car will shut everything off.

Homelink won't work without a running car, otherwise it'd be a huge security risk if you park outside your own garage. Thief can break into your car, open your garage door, and enter your home.

to me it would make sense to maintain for a timed interval
OR
until the drivers door is opened.

kuthair · 09-11-2006, 02:18 PM

OR when accessories are on.

nyc3r · 09-11-2006, 03:16 PM

How about using them stupid weight sensors on the seat. Turn them off once it detects you've left the seat. We're just being too logical here

inTgr8r · 09-11-2006, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gos

That's only true if you give a short press of the button. A long press (2s) to turn off the car will shut everything off.

Homelink won't work without a running car, otherwise it'd be a huge security risk if you park outside your own garage. Thief can break into your car, open your garage door, and enter your home.

Does that apply for both. (CA & non-CA)?

BKsBimmer · 09-11-2006, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nyc3r

I was sitting the car with the engine off one day and found out that the horns do NOT work unless the car was running. I haven't checked the manuals but have anyone else tried?

I can confirm that the horn DOES NOT WORK with the engine off. I pulled behind a Land Rover in the bank parking lot yesterday and turned off the car, only to notice that BIGASS Land Rover backing up toward my baby. I frantically tried to engage the horn but alas NOTHING!!! Needless to say the Land Rover backed right into the front end of my car.

I'm writing to BMW ... this completely SUCKS!!!

Good news is the damage is hardly noticeable. Only a paint scratch between the 2 kidneys. Got an estimate this morning ... $450.00 and 2 days down time. Should be good as new by Thursday.

krazykanuck · 09-11-2006, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nyc3r

How about using them stupid weight sensors on the seat. Turn them off once it detects you've left the seat. We're just being too logical here

Or like our Yukon XL and accessories stay on until you open the door. Its a cold day in he*l when American cars are more logical than imports.

ward · 09-11-2006, 07:11 PM

BMW horns have not worked with the key off for over 20 years

this is not new or shocking people.....

krazykanuck · 09-11-2006, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ward

BMW horns have not worked with the key off for over 20 years

this is not new or shocking people.....

Its one of those things you don't really realize or care about until you need to honk your horn (^^ Land Rover guy...), I would have expected it to work whenever since thats how most cars are.

Phila · 09-11-2006, 08:01 PM

my VW's horn doesnt work with the car off either.

We should just do away with all horns in all cars and rely on proximity sensors like the PDC to tell the driver when they are too close to something. That way, it only alerts those immediately involved in an imminent collision and spares the rest of us from the honk. Another thing is, with all the honking in big cities, people get desensitized to the noise and don't even react to car horns. Thats another reason why proximity alerts would be better. Im sure theres holes with this idea, but I think its a good start.

09-11-2006, 10:42 AM	#1
nyc3r Colonel 112 Rep 2,589 Posts Drives: E90 Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: USA iTrader: (24)	Horn not work when car is off? I was sitting the car with the engine off one day and found out that the horns do NOT work unless the car was running. I haven't checked the manuals but have anyone else tried?
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09-11-2006, 10:49 AM	#2
Boondoggler Lieutenant 72 Rep 402 Posts Drives: 2023 G01 LCI X3 M40i Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Lawrenceville, NJ iTrader: (1) Garage List 2016 340i xDrive [6.50]	Horn doesn't work unless the car is running. I tried it while off, and while the key fob was inserted and got nothing. When it was running the horn worked fine. Interesting find, I was unaware of this until you mentioned it. __________________ 2023 G01 LCI X3 M40i My Garage \| Phytonic Blue \| Black Sensatec \| Carbon Fiber Trim \| Parking \| Premium \| Remote \| Wireless \| Harmon Kardon \| 19" 887M Bi-color Midnight Grey
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09-11-2006, 11:03 AM	#3
Oz Lieutenant Colonel 33 Rep 1,770 Posts Drives: 2006 330i, 2004 X5 Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Wayne, NJ iTrader: (1) Garage List 2006 330i [0.00]	I may be wrong but I think this is how Germans cars are. It won't show how much fuel we have left unless we turn on the car either. __________________ 2006 330i Steptronic/Alpine White/Black Leather/Burl Walnut Trim/Premium Package/iDrive/Heated Seats/Winter: STYLE 159 Blizzak LM-22 RFT/Summer: TBD 2004 X5 Steptronic/Alpine White/Grey Leather/Poplar Trim/Premium Package/Heated Seats/iPod Adapter
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09-11-2006, 11:05 AM	#4
nyc3r Colonel 112 Rep 2,589 Posts Drives: E90 Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: USA iTrader: (24)	Guess you can't honk the horn to rush the wife/gf without turn on the car.
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09-11-2006, 11:42 AM	#5
E90Brian Lieutenant 15 Rep 420 Posts Drives: E90 335i Join Date: May 2006 Location: Out there... iTrader: (0)	The Homelink (for cars equipped) doesn't work with the ignition off either. __________________ 1988 M5 Black/Natur (5/97-now) 2006 E90 330i Sparkling Graphite \| Gray \| Walnut \| STEPTRONIC \| ZSP \| ZPP \| ZCW \| Navi \| PDC \| CA \| sun shades (3/06-11/08) 2009 E90 335i Blue Water \| Oyster \| Walnut \| STEPTRONIC \| ZSP \| ZPP \| ZCW \| Navi \| PDC \| CA \| Logic 7 \| 6FL/6NF \| sun shades (12/08-now)
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09-11-2006, 02:18 PM	#15
kuthair Captain 11 Rep 613 Posts Drives: 07 335i Sedan 6MT Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Connecticut iTrader: (0)	OR when accessories are on.
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09-11-2006, 03:16 PM	#16
nyc3r Colonel 112 Rep 2,589 Posts Drives: E90 Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: USA iTrader: (24)	How about using them stupid weight sensors on the seat. Turn them off once it detects you've left the seat. We're just being too logical here
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09-11-2006, 07:11 PM	#20
ward Major General 155 Rep 6,158 Posts Drives: F Join Date: May 2005 Location: T iTrader: (0)	BMW horns have not worked with the key off for over 20 years this is not new or shocking people.....
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09-11-2006, 08:01 PM	#22
Phila Lieutenant 7 Rep 417 Posts Drives: 325xi Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: SF Bay Area iTrader: (0)	my VW's horn doesnt work with the car off either. We should just do away with all horns in all cars and rely on proximity sensors like the PDC to tell the driver when they are too close to something. That way, it only alerts those immediately involved in an imminent collision and spares the rest of us from the honk. Another thing is, with all the honking in big cities, people get desensitized to the noise and don't even react to car horns. Thats another reason why proximity alerts would be better. Im sure theres holes with this idea, but I think its a good start. __________________ 2006 e90 325xi \| Alpine White \| Beige Leather \| Burl Walnut Wood Trim \| Premium Package \| Steptronic \| Comfort Access \| Xenons \| Lux 4.0
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