Horn Help
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Horn Help
I've been searching around on the forum since I picked up my 1972 Ford F250 Camper Special a couple weeks ago. Everything worked great except the reverse lights and the horn. I solved my reverse light issues with a new Neutral Safety Switch Actuator Pin (the old one broke off), and what a pain in the rear that was to swap.
Anyhow, the horn is my next target. So far, I've verified the horns work when connected to the battery directly. I've also tried to see if my voltmeter picks up any changes when my wife sits in the cab and presses the horn, but I wasn't getting any positive readings that way. However, it did seem to have voltage flowing through it.
Should I start by replacing the relay (closer to the horns), or should I start by removing the steering wheel to check the components there?
Any input would be appreciated as I'm new to this scene.
Thanks!
Anyhow, the horn is my next target. So far, I've verified the horns work when connected to the battery directly. I've also tried to see if my voltmeter picks up any changes when my wife sits in the cab and presses the horn, but I wasn't getting any positive readings that way. However, it did seem to have voltage flowing through it.
Should I start by replacing the relay (closer to the horns), or should I start by removing the steering wheel to check the components there?
Any input would be appreciated as I'm new to this scene.
Thanks!
Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2009
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From: NorCal
First test the relay. Depressing the horn button provides the ground for the circuit so all ya gotta do is identify which wire at the relay that is. If the horn sounds, then trace that wire back to the horn button.
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Welcome to FTE.
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I assume this means I should use some cables to jump a connection from the battery to the connectors on the relay, and then listen for a click?
Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2009
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From: NorCal
Just a wire with perhaps two alligator clips. The horn already has power but no ground... all ya need to do is ID the wire from the horn button to the relay which activates it and apply a ground signal by touch it to a bare metal surface (a chassis ground) or the battery's negative terminal.
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Simi Valley, CA
1971/72 F100/350's came w/a 2 spoke steering wheel and vinyl horn pad that includes the horn switch.
The same horn pads were used on 1973/77 F100/350's & 1975/77 Econolines, except 1975/77's with Speed Control.
Only Ranger XLT's & Econoline Chateau's came w/a 'wood grained' pad while the others pad is black camera case finish.
Both pads reproduced by Carpenter.
The same horn pads were used on 1973/77 F100/350's & 1975/77 Econolines, except 1975/77's with Speed Control.
Only Ranger XLT's & Econoline Chateau's came w/a 'wood grained' pad while the others pad is black camera case finish.
Both pads reproduced by Carpenter.
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Just a wire with perhaps two alligator clips. The horn already has power but no ground... all ya need to do is ID the wire from the horn button to the relay which activates it and apply a ground signal by touch it to a bare metal surface (a chassis ground) or the battery's negative terminal.
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 1,668
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From: Lincoln USA
I read somewhere that the horn needs to be grounded across the rag joint steering coupler. Try running a wire from the steering shaft (inside the engine compartment) over the rag joint and see if that grounds the horn.
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My next door neighbor came by this afternoon while I was fiddling with the setup and helped me out (he did electrical work in the Navy). We were able to determine the Horn Relay is healthy, and the wiring from the relay connector to under the dash is sound. We also verified the Horn Pad is doing it's job, so my guess is it's the horn brush (bruch?) or possibly the rag joint connection.
I'll try the rag joint first as that would be the easier fix (no need to pull the steering wheel). If not, I'll pull the steering wheel and check the horn brush (bruch?).
I'll try the rag joint first as that would be the easier fix (no need to pull the steering wheel). If not, I'll pull the steering wheel and check the horn brush (bruch?).
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