2012 Prius horn problem

Over the last two weeks I had some intermittent horn issues: the low tone would sometimes work but more often not.

I opened the hood today and took off the trim that covers the radiator. The wire that goes into the plug that attaches to the low-tone horn was corroded so that with barely a touch it came apart, just inside the plug.

I'm assuming this means I'll have to replace the whole harness. How much of a headache is this? Is it a short cable with all the attachment points (plugs) right there, around the radiator, or does this mean running wiring further inside the engine compartment?

 

Thanks for the replies.

Am I going to have to take off at least the upper bumper clips? I was barely able to get my one hand in there to remove the plug; I can't see how I can do any work in there without further disassembly. I checked to see if I could remove the Toyota emblem in the bumper for access, but the screws look pretty rusted and I thought I might be creating a second problem in trying to take it out.

I may have to go the route of soldering the wires straight on, though I'm not keen on the idea, as there's no way I can attach a lead to what remains of the wire inside the plug, unless there's some way to remove and replace it? Or would I have to get a replacement plug?

Are there two wires or one (i.e., is the horn grounded to the frame in place of a negative)?

 

Doesn't help the problem with the broken wire.

 

it's not the horn that's hard to access so much as the wire harness. The biggest problem is getting to it so I can strip it down to get bare wire--it looks like there are two contacts in the plug, so I guess two wires--and then soldering wire to it to get to the horn.

Then I'd like to either get a new plug or find out how to get the wire stuck in it out so I can reuse it. Worst case scenario I can take the horn out and solder straight to it, but I'd prefer if I can use a plug.

Does anyone know either how to take the wire out without destroying the plug or how to order a replacement?

 

I think I found the part via Google.

Mendel Leisk: looks like you were right. From the product picture, what I thought were two contacts is a single one with two curled sides.

 

How about a gel cap wire nut? I have a bunch of these for my underground irrigation system. Waterproof. Or Liquid Tape. I'm debating even trying to solder the connection; I don't know how I'll be able to do that one-handed.

 

Well, the plug should be here on Monday if all goes well (hah!). I'll have to pick up a stubby Phillips screwdriver--one of those things I know I have but can't find--to remove the Toyota emblem and do my best to strip down that wire. I'll see if I can solder it, but I guess it won't be a disaster if I can't and it comes undone. Either way I'll probably go with the liquid tape; I had been leaning to the gel-cap, since it's easier to remove if I have to fiddle, but I don't know how it'll hold with all the movement.

 

That's what I meant by the gel cap. It's a wire nut meant for wet locations (like irrigation systems' valve boxes), filled with silicone gel so that even if it gets wet the bare wires inside won't. I just wasn't sure if hundreds of hours of bouncing on the roads might loosen it. I don't have much cable to work with so I I wasn't sure if I can add electrical tape to help keep it on. Does anyone know if that conduit-like outer coating can simply be cut away to expose more of the insulated wire without creating any problems? I don't think I have enough exposed insulated wire to work with as-is.