Lack of horn without ignition??

[hooba]

I had just finished parking in a 45 degree rear to kerb spot on Saturday night and whilst I was getting my things another car comes along and starts to park in the spot right next to me.

This guy has no idea on how to park, slams it into reverse and his rear bumper is heading straight towards my passenger side rear door. Eeek.

Instinctively I hit the horn and nothing. Luckily the guy managed to stop just in time with cms to spare, and then proceeded to line up the parking space properly.

Why does VW persist on killing all power to the steering wheel functions unless the ignition is on? I'm genuinely interested to hear the reasoning behind this if anybody knows why.

[pologti18t]

I had just finished parking in a 45 degree rear to kerb spot on Saturday night and whilst I was getting my things another car comes along and starts to park in the spot right next to me.

This guy has no idea on how to park, slams it into reverse and his rear bumper is heading straight towards my passenger side rear door. Eeek.

Instinctively I hit the horn and nothing. Luckily the guy managed to stop just in time with cms to spare, and then proceeded to line up the parking space properly.

Why does VW persist on killing all power to the steering wheel functions unless the ignition is on? I'm genuinely interested to hear the reasoning behind this if anybody knows why.

Isn't that the case with most modern cars?

[rs73]

most japanese cars i think would still sound the horn... not sure most late generation ones, my last japanese car was 2003 make.

and not sure compared to other euros other than late VWs...

[AdamD]

most japanese cars i think would still sound the horn...

My Accord Euro ('05) allowed the horn to operate at all times. The radio buttons would also work whenever the radio was on - unlike in the Golf. Very annoying operation in the VW IMO.

[mfl]

In my ex-2008 Subaru, you could sound the horn anytime.

Similar thing happened to me, while waiting for my wife. a guy reverse parking kept coming with no intention of stopping.

amazing how quickly you can turn the ignition on and blow the horn, when you have to.

but slightly annoying.

[Jasonpb]

07 honda accord euro the horn worked when the ignition was off.

[Umai Naa!!]

Could a simple "OI!" have sufficed?

Ford Falcon brake lights don't work with the key out, if that helps...

[hooba]

Could a simple "OI!" have sufficed?

Ford Falcon brake lights don't work with the key out, if that helps...

Did want to scare the kids.

Ok, so it looks like nobody can think of good reason why you'd design a car so that the horn doesn't work when the ignition is turned off. I'm stumped.

[rs73]

hm, I can have a look around VCDS settings to see if anything in there that could be programmable to allow horn to work at all times....
after all if I can change my comfort lane change indicator from 3 blinks to 4 (max is 5) then perhaps there is a setting for horn but i could be wrong...

[Ryan_R]

I thought horns were supposed to work even without a key inserted. The only "reason" I can think of is accidental beeps caused by bumping the wheel or when using those Club steering locks.

The lack of multimedia controls when I stop the car annoys me as well - but you have shown a more important issue I guess. I sometimes turn the ignition back on, which turns the lights back on (I could manually turn the lights off, I know).

When I get my car serviced (15,000) I'll ask VW about it and hopefully there's a semi-easy fix.