Horn problems - HELP
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 230
Likes: 5
From: Northern Virginia
Horn problems - HELP
How do I check the horns on a 6V F1? I know that the horns work property with 6V and think that they are well grounded. I think I have either a bad relay or bad wiring from the horn to the relay but not sure how to track that down.
There is continuity for each of the wires from the relay to the horns. On the relay, I have 6.24 volts on two terminals between the relay and ground. I have zero on the normally open terminal. (of course assuming that things are connected properly). So far, so good. I have very weak sound at the horns when the button is pushed.
I jumped from the negative terminal of the battery to each of the two horns and they sound loud and sure reinforcing my assumption that the grounds are good.
Any suggestions from the collective wisdom of FTE? Thanks.
There is continuity for each of the wires from the relay to the horns. On the relay, I have 6.24 volts on two terminals between the relay and ground. I have zero on the normally open terminal. (of course assuming that things are connected properly). So far, so good. I have very weak sound at the horns when the button is pushed.
I jumped from the negative terminal of the battery to each of the two horns and they sound loud and sure reinforcing my assumption that the grounds are good.
Any suggestions from the collective wisdom of FTE? Thanks.
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 230
Likes: 5
From: Northern Virginia
OK, now I think relay only. I upped the gauge on the wire from the relay to the horns. Each then works great but when combined, weak signal. Relay? Is there a different relay for dual horns than for single horns?
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2012
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Contacts are worn on (in) the relay. If you can't get to them to dress them, change it out.
Edit - assuming that your battery can handle the load of both horns. Is it charged? If it will crank the motor, the horns won't draw it down much at all. In that case, it would be the relay. You can measure the actual voltage across the relay contacts while somebody honks the horn. The relay contacts should drop less than a half Volt.
Edit - assuming that your battery can handle the load of both horns. Is it charged? If it will crank the motor, the horns won't draw it down much at all. In that case, it would be the relay. You can measure the actual voltage across the relay contacts while somebody honks the horn. The relay contacts should drop less than a half Volt.
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 230
Likes: 5
From: Northern Virginia
I will change out the relay. The battery is fully charged and with a 6V boost from the charger it does almost sound both horns for a second. The battery is old but cranks for long periods of time (fuel pressure loss and draining float bowl problem that I have also not figured out but will get to eventually - maybe a 6V electric pump to speed the process) so I don't think the battery is the problem.
Thanks Jeremy, I appreciate the post.
Thanks Jeremy, I appreciate the post.
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 230
Likes: 5
From: Northern Virginia
Ross,
A direct jump from the ground to the NO post still left a weak sound. Another board suggested switching from series to parallel on the horns. That worked. I get both for a couple of seconds before going weak again. Maybe it is the battery and maybe the relay is weak. I already ordered the relay and will switch it out when it arrives but at least it appears that I have both horns working. Here's to hoping it's not the battery, the relay was only $10!
Thanks, I appreciate your input.
A direct jump from the ground to the NO post still left a weak sound. Another board suggested switching from series to parallel on the horns. That worked. I get both for a couple of seconds before going weak again. Maybe it is the battery and maybe the relay is weak. I already ordered the relay and will switch it out when it arrives but at least it appears that I have both horns working. Here's to hoping it's not the battery, the relay was only $10!
Thanks, I appreciate your input.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 27,299
Likes: 1,059
From: NM
The horns also get filled up with rust and dirt. You can take them apart and clean them out. Also there are contacts inside the horn, and an adjustment screw with locknut on them.
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 230
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From: Northern Virginia
Thanks Ross.
I opened the horns and they look clean, I gave them a shot of engrine (old aerosol carbon tet) before putting them in just in case. I have another post trying to determine if the horns are original or a replacement. https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...ns-1950-a.html I bought a set of horns on E-bay cheap that looked like they would work. The mounts were different but easily changed for the ones in the truck. Both old horns tested bad when hooked up directly to the battery. Both from E-bay sounded strong. In any case, I have sort of working horns. That is good and a first since I bought the truck in 2008.
I opened the horns and they look clean, I gave them a shot of engrine (old aerosol carbon tet) before putting them in just in case. I have another post trying to determine if the horns are original or a replacement. https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...ns-1950-a.html I bought a set of horns on E-bay cheap that looked like they would work. The mounts were different but easily changed for the ones in the truck. Both old horns tested bad when hooked up directly to the battery. Both from E-bay sounded strong. In any case, I have sort of working horns. That is good and a first since I bought the truck in 2008.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2011
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From: Rockingham, VA
Hook your battery charger up to the horn relay. That eliminates your battery. And, if you really want to hear the horns blare, flip the switch over to 12 volts. 
(if you have a dual voltage battery charger)
This is assuming you're positive ground... hook the positive to the horn button terminal. and the negative to the battery terminal on the relay. If the horns work, the relay is good, and your battery isn't. If that doesn't work, hook the negative to the terminal going to the horns. They are supposed to be wired in series.
(if you have a dual voltage battery charger)This is assuming you're positive ground... hook the positive to the horn button terminal. and the negative to the battery terminal on the relay. If the horns work, the relay is good, and your battery isn't. If that doesn't work, hook the negative to the terminal going to the horns. They are supposed to be wired in series.
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