2005 4Runner horn honking after starting engine

[defender.TX]

This is my first post here, so if this is in the wrong section feel free to move it. I have a 2005 4Runner that I absolutely love, but it has a really annoying problem. Something isn't quite right with my horn! The symptoms are as follows:

1. The factory alarm goes from beeping to honking when I lock/unlock from the FOB randomly (and then back to beeping).
2. When the weather is hot, the horn will honk intermitently and randomly for a few minutes after starting the engine.

The vehicle is stock except for a K&N Air Filter so that means no aftermarket alarm. It has the stock alarm with the little red button where the diff lock button usually is below and to the left of the steering column. This problem is really annoying because it only honks for a few minutes after I start the engine and then stops for the duration of the drive - which means I'm usually honking at my neighbors house or people in a parking lot. I've gotten flipped the bird a few times already. This doesn't happen all winter long so I'm fairly certain it's related to the hot weather. I live in Texas, so when I say "hot" I mean 100+ F.

Does anyone have any ideas what this could be? I had a few thoughts: a malfunctioning factory alarm system, a bad switch in the steering wheel, or a short somewhere. Thoughts?

 

[gaterose]

Not much help but to the best of my knowledge my 4runner has the factory alarm and does not have a little red button that you're talking about. You sure it's all OEM?

I can't imagine how annoying that honking is.. Can't think of any reason the temperature would affect it either.

edit - maybe pull the fuse or unplug the horn until you figure it out to keep from getting those 'waves'?

 

[gaterose]

Looks like google brings up tons of results from other cars acting similarly. No clear answer though...

Maybe this?

What would cause the horn to start honking on by - FixYa

 

[defender.TX]

Not much help but to the best of my knowledge my 4runner has the factory alarm and does not have a little red button that you're talking about. You sure it's all OEM?

I can't imagine how annoying that honking is.. Can't think of any reason the temperature would affect it either.

edit - maybe pull the fuse or unplug the horn until you figure it out to keep from getting those 'waves'?

It may not be OEM but it is dealer installed. It looks like this:

 

[defender.TX]

Looks like google brings up tons of results from other cars acting similarly. No clear answer though...

Maybe this?

What would cause the horn to start honking on by - FixYa

I'm actually going to look into this when I get home. If this is the cause it would be an easy fix!

 

[gaterose]

It may not be OEM but it is dealer installed. It looks like this:

Yeah mine doesn't have anything like that. How are you certain it's dealer installed?

What does it do when you press the button?

 

[defender.TX]

Yeah mine doesn't have anything like that. How are you certain it's dealer installed?

What does it do when you press the button?

Honestly, I'm not even sure. I don't play with it. I think it's dealer installed because I took that picture from another thread here where they discuss it's a dealer installed keyless entry option for 2WD SR5s. Apparently, they were sold this way in the southern US for that year model.