2015-2019 Subaru Outback Horn Fix!

This ended up being the clock spring that failed. Part # 83196AJ04A
I got mine here:
amzn.to/3zTVZ5T

[@msmcdonald007]

Hey, just got done replacing my clockspring and this video was a lifesaver. Dealership quoted 4 hours of labor and $650 total bill, but I was able to get it done in 45 minutes. Thanks!

[@RaindogGaming]

Man, thank you so much! Got the part for $100, had this video playing in my garage as I followed along step-by-step. No wayward airbag deployments to my face and as of ten minutes ago my horn works again! No error lights or anything so far so I guess I kept the arrows on the clock spring lined up sufficiently. Phew.

[@jimw3842]

Really appreciated your high quality, informative, and useful video! I enjoyed the random statement of "I think there is a bird in my garage" and also the (paraphrased) "I don't know why they provided so much grease. So I'll just save it, throw it in a drawer, and in a few years it will dry out and I'll toss it."

[@thomaskremser2523]

Thank you!!! Fixed my horn... couldn't have done it without your guidance... covered everything to the smallest detail. So well done.

[@zacharystarrin4039]

Because of you, my wife has a working horn. God bless you man!

[@jimbernard8964]

Just did mine. This video was a HUGE help. Getting the air bag off is a PITA. My 2015 Impreza has paddle shifters and the screws that hold those in place are just inside those side access holes and look like what you are going for but they are not. The trick for me was to take the plastic column shrouds off first. You can get at the two phillips head screws with the wheel still on by turning the wheel 90 degrees right then left. With the plastic off, I was able to use a small inspection mirror and I could see the spring clip then get to it through the access holes with a small 45 degree pick. That did the trick. Everything else is really easy. It is mind blowing how much money a dealer will charge for this. Anyway, thanks for this vid. I wish you had a "buy me a coffee" button I would send you a couple bucks for this.

[@LordTelum]

This video was so helpful! It was exactly what I needed to fix my car! I was given an $850 quote and it cost less than $100 for the part. Thank you!

[@marklevy2092]

This video def helped same problem with my Outback not gonna lie never seen anything like this $120 part and all that labor to fix a horn. Never had a horn go in any car I’ve ever owned. Along with the way these cars burn oil I’m soured on Subaru don’t get the attraction. Ridiculous to have to rip apart a steering column to fox a horn but thanks for the video no way I could do this without it

[@iranpena9905]

I have 80k miles and been burning oil since 20k miles ago

[@SgtTaz777]

Perhaps I'm not as mechanically inclined as I thought I was, but it took me a good amount of time and cussing to remove the airbag on my 2015 Subaru Forester. The one thing I would add is the metal spring clips inside the steering wheel are slightly up, and forward (towards the driver) and not straight in (they also tend to migrate up, and out of the hole you try to see them through). To save others time, be sure to rotate the steering wheel to find these spring clips. I was crawling around my floorboards trying to peek in the holes looking for them, but the airbag wires were in the way. Only after I twisted the steering wheel around in slightly different degrees of angle did I find all 3. The drivers side was a bugger! After that, make sure you straighten the steering wheel so the wheels are straight before taking off the steering wheel. Everything after that was "per your direction". Thank you, you saved me a couple hundred bucks in service!

[@ronodowd9760]

showing those 3 airbag retainer springs made all the difference in the world! easy! thanks & God bless ya bro!

[@codyclement1286]

This video saved me SO much time and money. Great, detailed video bruceyyy! I have a 2015 Outback 3.6r and my horn stopped working. Went through the same diagnosis and came to the same conclusion as you did. The part was $156 and some change, labor would've probably cost me the same at a shop. A good fifteen minutes of work tops, thanks to you. Keep up the good vids, I watch alot of them and they're always a great help.

[@bruceyyyyy]

I'm glad it helped! I never know if some of these are actually helping anyone out there or not.

[@aawillma]

My 2016 3.6r horn stopped working recently too... what's going on why are our Subies taking vows of silence?!

[@Harry-ve7dl]

I bought the part from Amazon for $50. Fixed my problem. Note that you do not want to break off that tab until it's ready to go in as it keeps everything lined up nicely. If you are not sure of alignment, you should see an orange plastic marker in a small window to the left as it designates center alignment. Thanks for the video.

[@chadeiler1733]

Well done! Took me longer to pop airbag than the entire rest of project. Thanks!

[@4LovePeace]

Thank you!! You are great at explaining and demonstrating. And I love your humble sense of humor, ("... throw it in a drawer, ... dries out throw it away," yup to that!). I don't have the confidence, or tools to try this, but it amazes me that repair estimate is $700. (!!) I hope you are teaching students, you think about the student's point of view. You're are a natural educator. Great work!

[@michaelrheaume9559]

Thanks, very helpful greatful. Like you said , after you release those metal wire springs, it was a peace of cake😇

[@MEDICsixtyseven]

I have a 2015 2.5i premium with 192,000 and just had my horn go out. I will be buying a new clock spring soon. Thank you for your many videos, I have referenced them for work I've done over the years. Between youtube and forum posts I think that you are the #1 reference for 5th gen outback modification and maintenance. I have even stashed away 245/65/17 in my stock space as you have and I think it is a great solution!

[@bruceyyyyy]

And here I thought I was the only one crazy enough to DIY a vacuum tire. Lemme know any feedback on that one! I'm the only one I've been able to find that's done it.

[@markcampbell4352]

It took 1 hour and 30 minutes, but the instructions were PERFECT

[@kevindesrosiers]

Thanks for that video. I have the same problem. The horn started acting weird, would only work at specific angle rotation, now it doesn't work at all. Called my mechanic 3 times he always said he'll call me back but never did. Guess he was afraid to do the job. I ordered the part. Waiting for warmer temperatures outside, Canada can be cold during winter, and I'll replace it with your video as my helper!

[@matt962671]

Did this job, and my ABS, Traction control and hill hold lights were all on. The problem was that the steering angle sensor became rotated 360deg off. I took it to an alignment shop to get this diagnosis. I removed everything again, separated the clockspring and steering angle sensor and rotated the steering angle sensor. Keep in mind the you may need a someone with a diagnostic tool to tell you which direction you'll need rotate the sensor. Mine was showing negative 360deg, so I rotated it Counter Clockwise if I remeber correctly. After reassembling everything, the lights may still be on. You can get it reset at an alignment shop (steering angle rezeroed or recalibrated). My lights went off under some very hard braking in which the brakes locked up for a split second, and then ABS came back with the systems returning to normal. Worth a try before getting it reset at a shop.

[@1984farnon]

Finally a good and sensible video on this subject. Thanks

[@AlexanderA-kf5ys]

Right on brother. Thanks for the fun and informative video. I was able to fix the inoperable horn on the family 2016 Outback in less than 45 minutes. Cost $120 for the part vs $500-900 I’ve seen people being quoted on the forums. Blessings ✊

[@kindmountainlion5506]

Now with your instructional video, I can fix my Horn. All i need it the Subaru part. thanks

[@EduardoCruz-kc8me]

Gracias man for being very detailed you just give a very good experience by doing it by myself, your helpful, thanks.

[@w5cdt]

Perfect video…thanks. You took care of all the dis-assembly mysteries.

[@imecoli]

Thanks for the video, I need to do it myself. One thing about the plastic clip, leave that inplavce until you set it into the assembly. This keeps it from over spinning. It can only rotate 5 times or it may be damaged, I've been told.

[@martykroenecke4273]

One of the best how to videos I've seen. Thanks, as soon as I get the rear wheel bearing put back together tomorrow I will be doing this!

[@dwrightnz]

Mate you are a legend! Dry joint in the relay. Fixed by swapping it with the one next to it and then swapping it back.

[@jensencamp4144]

bought a $28 one from ebay… it worked! thanks so much. also, a tip is to leave the green thing in to hold everything in place and then just break it off later. thank you!

[@bruceyyyyy]

I can't believe you found one that low! I can usually get about 2/3rds of MSRP.

[@trippy123]

Any issues with it so far? Was this one from China? I've ordered one too.

[@Shassefras]

Helped me trouble shoot the horn relay. Pulled relay and then replaced. Regained connection. Thanks

[@kd2eat]

Thanks for this video. I think i have the same problem. Relay and fuses are good. It's definitely a DIY job for those quoted prices!

[@kd2eat]

Yep. I finally got around to replacing the clock spring. It solved my problem. Thanks so much for this video, it really covered everything. The hardest part was finding the darn levers to pop off the airbag. It's easy, AFTER you've done it, and can see the inner workings. lol. It took me about 1/2 hour and two different screwdrivers before I finally got them all.

[@billy7822]

Great Video!! I pounded the job in about an hour n' 20 minutes. *Now that I've done it once I could repeat in prolly 20 minutes. The only part that wasn't clear was regarding the Green "Key" "Clip" in the NEW Clock Wheel. It gets Snapped Off. Pull down, break it off. It doesn't get pulled out the way you would an actual house key. Otherwise, THANKS!! Part for me was $117 out the door (including USPS Priority Mail delivery)

[@mostbeegyoshi]

Thank you for the great video, helped me fix the horn on my Outback!

[@letsRegulateSociopaths]

great vid. very helpful. My 2012 impreza= same same

[@babambaaaa]

Great guide. I got mine fixed quick enough with minimal tools.

[@kweeksdraw]

Thanks for making this video! It really made an intimidating job go very well! BTW, save $440.00 as quoted from my dealership!

[@garykleiner5107]

Thanks for this video. It saved me $500.

[@ds4081]

Thanks a ton for this video. Worked like a charm. Part was like 30.00

[@Quentin0352]

There is an easier trick to that yellow connector at 8:15 in the video. The bottom of that piece has a moving part. Slide the center part of it towards the wires, and it pushes, and holds the locking piece down.

[@KentuckyRanger]

Now I know how to get the cap off, all I need to do, is figure out how to get the little silver thing out, so I can paint it. Not sure why they made it so cheap, that the paint would chip off it so easy, but I need to fix it, because it's bugging me, LOL! I also need to replace the actual horn, because it sounds anemic...

[@mk27texas]

My exact problem! Thanks for this video. Hopefully will try this soon!

[@rayclark6385]

Great video, did mine today. I took a few pictures that I believe would be a big help to others. How can I get them to you with a few sentences to each so that you can make this even better?

[@tiddybagel]

When I went to swap the wheel position sensor I have to rotate it. Two different sized notches on each end. I think the old clockspring must've rotated while I was removing it and I got mixed up which side the large cutout should be. Tried going 180 degrees in either direction and it's still throwing abs, brake and traction control lights. Wish that part of the video had more detail, looks like I'm screwed now.

[@erickvega2631]

dude!!! keep up the good videos! This is incredibly helpful! Thanks again

[@lilwrencher7996]

😂clean those terminals Bruceyyyy you joke 😅🤣🤣 nice camera work though n FJ looks clean at least

[@bill6698]

Other videos have first ruled out the horn by using the emergency horn on the key, and the assembly as the problem by having the car on and rotating the wheel using the horn to find live spots...indicating the clock spring as the culprit.

[@charlenesudbrink2316]

I called the dealer and described the problem. He said it was the spring. So how many are having problems with this!?! Cross Trek Subaru owner! 😡

[@bruceyyyyy]

When was yours made? I believe the Cross Trek is made in an entirely different plant than the Outback.

[@ednanguyen5295]

Never had a horn issue with a car. Bummer. Battery issues and now the horn - disappointed. Also had to fix transmission, thankfully it was within warranty.

[@rainyday13]

Could it possibly be something other than the clockspring? The only thing that does not work on my 2016 Forester is the horn. All other steering wheel buttons work great. There is no position of the wheel that makes the horn work. It does sound with the car alarm. Replaced fuse and relay already.

[@bruceyyyyy]

It could be anything. But I would put money on the clock spring. Mine was the same symptom.

[@royjensen340]

Thanks for the video. Great instructions

[@eodninja6]

i have a 15 crosstrek and i have no horn either. looks like ill be doing this same swap.

[@Madskry]

Seeing lots of this clockspring part for sale without a sensor. Is the sensor needed? ** my sub only honks when in a turned position.

[@bruceyyyyy]

There is a piggyback sensor I show in the video. I just moved the old one over.

[@Madskry]

@@bruceyyyyy THANK YOU!

[@klimraamkosie]

Update: SRS issue solved. Initial message: Okay, so I left the windows open on this one and then, while in the middle of the job, a rainstorm. Reconnected the battery during install to roll up the window and now I have an SRS warning light... Any help on remove the warning? (May be the clockspring that I put in that's also faulty? If it's easier to rule that out by swapping them again then I'll do that first...) Update + fix: Okay, disassembled again and I didn't completely push in the airbag connector tab. All good now. Leaving this here in case anyone else runs into the same issue. SRS warning lights off now.

[@chadeiler1733]

After installing clock spring and testing horn, thought all was good until SRS light stayed on. Your post helped me jump right to solution by removing airbag and realizing one cable wasn’t fully seated. Thanks for adding this!

[@kct5775]

I replaced my clock spring it worked great only my abs, traction control and eyesight lights are on and they aren't working. Any suggestions ????

[@barkyharrington]

15:24 This is the most important part. :D

[@greggf.1393]

My local Subaru dealership quoted $950 dollars to replace clockspring! What a scam!

[@oscarrocha4340]

I had all steering wheel controls not working, replaced the clock spring and now only the cruise control doesn't work but now also have abs, traction control and hill assist lights on with dynamic cruse control disabled. Can anyone help?

[@bruceyyyyy]

Do you know the codes the system is outputting?

[@melissaphelps4843]

Having same issue - no cruise, abs, hill assist and traction lights on. No idea on codes. I will have to crack the steering wheel back open this weekend.

[@fischearthling]

@@melissaphelps4843 did you resolve this? I'm having the same issue

[@fischearthling]

did you resolve this?

[@melissaphelps4843]

@@fischearthling gave up and had to take it to Subaru, as I thought it was just a sensor that needed to be cleared and/or steering calibrated. Wound up being a damaged steering wheel sensor, so I clearly damaged that in the process of changing the clock spring. So BE CAREFUL popping that chunk off.

[@joelveilleux98]

I know your pain. My clockspring died a year ago aswell. Still yet to fix it. Does it ever teach you patience in city traffic. lol

[@charlesharnois3684]

This Should be a Recall, Many Subarus have this part failed. My 15' Outback is one. Was told by Subaru Corporate, That the horn is not considered a Safety Item! LOL! This is my 2nd Subaru and Although I like the car, It will be my last!

[@rinchindorjdashdavaa8977]

Hello Bruceyyy? My 2015 outback horn doesn't work when steering wheel is straight. But it works if steering wheel is rotated quartely to any side. Do you think it is failure of clockspring?

[@bruceyyyyy]

I think there is a good chance. It's really the only variable that's changing. I would test to confirm before purchasing replacement.

[@fischearthling]

You are a hero. Thank you

[@slauf2682]

Fantastic clip- thanks so much! Do you know if the same step by step applies to a 2014 Outback?

[@bruceyyyyy]

It should be very similar if not identical.

[@kalamah9117]

Btw it’s not the abs. It is the VDC that is steady.

[@JuanHernandez-sv2be]

Thank you for helping

[@dk-uj4yd]

this is great, i'm afraid i will screw up my airbag so going to mechanic but i bought the part. mechanic told me 400 for repair, if i bring the part its 180.

[@bruceyyyyy]

That's probably fair for labor costs. It's not a dirty job but it is time consuming.

[@dk-uj4yd]

@@bruceyyyyy you mean it takes more then 30 minutes? the video is 16 minutes from start to finish

[@bruceyyyyy]

@@dk-uj4yd To do proper diagnostic and confirm it's the clock spring, then actually replace, I would say around an hour. I doubt many repairs are real time since there would be so much dead air on the video.

[@dk-uj4yd]

@@bruceyyyyy so the most expensive rate is a dealership, they charge 130 an hour. a small shop should be less then that. pepboys wants 375 becayse they say an alignment needs to be done as well. crazy crazy. seems like i am bieng ripped off if i pay more then 160 with tax plus an alignment if needed.

[@bruceyyyyy]

@@dk-uj4yd I'm not sure an alignment is necessary. It's usually not a bad idea if you don't know when the last one was done. I have one done every year when the inspection is done and I get the inspection for free. But if they mark the wheel where it comes off it should go back in the same position.

[@wicked_bitz]

You cleaned the terminal with your hand… Twice.😂

[@fb510m]

Im not buying another subaru…stupidly difficult to replace an similar recurring failures across the fleet stinks

[@hondabro5162]

It's really not hard to replace.

[@OldsmobileFuturamic]

Big help, thanks!!!

[@trippy123]

I saw a replacement clock spring on ebay from China for $68 - would you think that would be ok? A second hand one from another Subaru was quoted at $220 - a new one probably more. Cheers mate!

[@bruceyyyyy]

It's such a mission critical part I worry about not using OEM parts. They usually don't like non OEM sensors etc But the price is right...

[@kalamah9117]

After replacing the clock spring. I now have a brake light on and abs system lights. Any ideas.

[@bruceyyyyy]

Is it the correct part number? Did the piggy back connection stay intact?

[@kalamah9117]

Yes everything was Connected properly. I think I was about a tooth off replacing the steering wheel. I have tried to put it back on correctly multiple times however it’s still has the same indications.

[@chetty1212]

@@kalamah9117 you ever get those lights off?????

[@fischearthling]

​ @Kalama H @@chetty1212 seconded

[@fischearthling]

@@kalamah9117 did you get this resolved?

[@jpholcombe]

I can't find a new clock spring for a 2010 Outback. Everywhere I look it says they are discontinued. Is there a new part # that will work? Will a 2015 clock spring work on a 2010 Outback? Or is there a Toyota or some other clock spring that I can use?

[@bruceyyyyy]

Check parts.subaru.com I think they call it a roll connector.

[@billschultz1353]

After picking up my car from mechanic my horns don't work. Fuses are both good. Checked them with my meter. Horn relay is good. Checked it by swapping with lighting relay. Reluctant to remove clockspring. Anything else I could check.?

[@bruceyyyyy]

When you click the lock button repeatedly on the key does the horn honk?

[@jensencamp4144]

same thing happened to me after getting my ball joint replaced at NBT

[@tpseeker3367]

Beeep for the beeping algorithm. A splash of Dew would have cleaned the corrosion.

[@bruceyyyyy]

I ain't never done nothing you seen the rest of the engine bay?

[@tpseeker3367]

Touching anything butt the fluids is just another chance of something going wonkers @@bruceyyyyy

[@bruceyyyyy]

I like how your spelled but

[@chetty1212]

do you think the 2014 is the same ???

[@berserkerusmc7613]

Great video. But, I didn't eat my crayons this morning... Is the clock spring the actual horn switch ? If not, where is the actual switch?

[@bruceyyyyy]

The switch is the airbag

[@kindle2730]

Yea ummm. Hhhmm. I'm a do it your selfer. That looks like a pain. Not fun but might have saved you a lot of money in the long run. Good video tho. Good info

[@Navillus2273]

did you require an OBD II tool to reset any sensors after? Also what year subaru outback are you working on.

[@bruceyyyyy]

I did not. This is a 2017 Outback.

[@Navillus2273]

@@bruceyyyyy what about a steering wheel puller. Looks as if you did not, but another video says it is necessary?

[@tengkengvang3894]

@@Navillus2273 I just replaced mine following the video. You don't need a steering wheel puller. I gave the steering wheel a couple solid hits with the palm of my fist and just muscled it off. It wasn't too difficult.

[@Navillus2273]

@@tengkengvang3894 did mine yesterday took 1 hour, taking my time. Video is awesome. Thanks!!

[@nickmullins5349]

IMPORTANT: Attached to the airbag clock spring is a steering wheel position sensor that snaps to the back of the clockspring. Not sure why that wasn't covered in the video, but it took me a few minutes to figure out that the new part doesn't come with it. I thought I had the wrong part for a few minutes, then realized I had to take it off of the original clockspring and snap it onto the back of the new one.

[@bruceyyyyy]

I mention this in the video at around 11:20.

[@nickmullins5349]

@@bruceyyyyy Yup, I'm an idiot. I must've missed it while I was looking at something else in a hurry! Thanks for pointing it out!

[@tiddybagel]

@@bruceyyyyy Should have had more detail and put emphasis on its importance/ not letting the old clockspring rotate.

[@frederickkwek3772]

Too much effort to just fix a horn....I think I will install a separate horn system with a push button on the dashboard 😅

[@fredharvey2720]

As many of us that have had horns go out, they obviously put in cheap Chinese crap

[@MIAMIC70]

Way too much fucking work!

[@bruceyyyyy]

Miami did yours go out too?