Issue with my horns.
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Issue with my horns.
I have a 1979 Ford F-250 Ranger XLT camper special. It is a manual with fixed steering column and no speed control. My horns never worked in the truck since I got it, Today I installed a new turn signal switch because some how wires got crossed and was sending power to my horns and turn signals at the same time. Got everything back together but now my horns work as they should when the engine is on and running but they do not work when the engine is off. If I have it sitting there with no key in the ignition or in KOEO state and press the horn button, you can here that it is trying to activate the horns but it wont (like the battery is to dead, it is new and fine). Anyone have any thoughts on what could be going on? Do the horns not work on these trucks unless the engine is running by chance? Any help will be appreciated.
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From: Simi Valley, CA
I have a 1979 Ford F-250 Ranger XLT camper special. It is a manual with fixed steering column and no speed control. My horns never worked in the truck since I got it, Today I installed a new turn signal switch because some how wires got crossed and was sending power to my horns and turn signals at the same time. Got everything back together but now my horns work as they should when the engine is on and running but they do not work when the engine is off. If I have it sitting there with no key in the ignition or in KOEO state and press the horn button. 
You can hear that it is trying to activate the horns, but it won't (like the battery is to dead, it is new and fine). Anyone have any thoughts on what could be going on? Do the horns not work on these trucks unless the engine is running by chance? Any help will be appreciated.
You can hear that it is trying to activate the horns, but it won't (like the battery is to dead, it is new and fine). Anyone have any thoughts on what could be going on? Do the horns not work on these trucks unless the engine is running by chance? Any help will be appreciated.
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From: Simi Valley, CA
1978/91 F100/350, Bronco & Econoline: Tilt wheel operated by pressing the T/S handle forward.
1978/79's with 3 spoke Sport steering wheel were not available with factory installed Speed Control.
Only dealer installed Speed Control was available, because its Speed Control switch clipped onto the T/S handle.
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Then it does have a horn button. And verify if your truck does or does not have a tilt wheel, because:
1978/91 F100/350, Bronco & Econoline: Tilt wheel operated by pressing the T/S handle forward.
1978/79's with 3 spoke Sport steering wheel were not available with factory installed Speed Control.
Only dealer installed Speed Control was available, because its Speed Control switch clipped onto the T/S handle.
1978/91 F100/350, Bronco & Econoline: Tilt wheel operated by pressing the T/S handle forward.
1978/79's with 3 spoke Sport steering wheel were not available with factory installed Speed Control.
Only dealer installed Speed Control was available, because its Speed Control switch clipped onto the T/S handle.
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Does anyone have any ideas? I've read that the 79' model does not use a horn relay if it does not have cruise control. Is this true? Also, since it has the 3 spoke sport steering wheel, does it have a horn switch some where or just the button on the wheel? Thanks.
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3 spoke Sport steering wheel uses a horn button.
Cruise = GM; Speed = FoMoCo.
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Got it all figured out. Ended up having a high resistance in one of the horns that was using almost all the voltage when the engine was off. But let them (or at least one, a little tone deaf so not sure) work when the engine was running since the alternator puts out enough voltage to over come that resistance to allow them to at least some what work.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 1979-F250 
I've read that the '78/79 models do not use a horn relay if they do not have factory installed Speed Control. Is this true? 
Also, since it has the 3 spoke sport steering wheel, does it have a horn switch somewhere or just the button on the wheel?
I've read that the '78/79 models do not use a horn relay if they do not have factory installed Speed Control. Is this true? Also, since it has the 3 spoke sport steering wheel, does it have a horn switch somewhere or just the button on the wheel?
3 spoke Sport steering wheel uses a horn button.
Cruise = GM; Speed = FoMoCo.
I know Ford has always used "speed control" for some years now, but I just noticed that the online Ford parts database is using the term "cruise control".
Hmmm...
This page uses both terms:
https://parts.autonationfordwhitebea...e-control-scat
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