Notices

Weird Horn Problem

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Nov 4, 2003 | 10:53 AM
  #1  
DanTana's Avatar
DanTana
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 160
Likes: 0
Weird Horn Problem

Hi, I just finished putting in two newer horns off a Mustang and a horn relay off a Bronco. I got the horns to work with the key off, but found out they won't work with the key on??? I had to ground the one wire directly to the steering column to get it to work at all. But now I'm perplexed since it isn't working with the key on.
 
Reply
Old Nov 4, 2003 | 10:00 PM
  #2  
Franklin2's Avatar
Franklin2
Moderator
25 Year Member
Photogenic
Community Builder
Community Influencer
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 56,971
Likes: 2,731
From: Virginia
Club FTE Gold Member
How many terminals do you have on the horn relay you are using? Three? One would be power, the 2nd to the horns, and the other to the horn button, which grounds out to activate the relay. Or do you have something different?
 
Reply
Old Nov 5, 2003 | 07:57 AM
  #3  
DanTana's Avatar
DanTana
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 160
Likes: 0
Yes, it has 3 wires to it, 2 yellow and one dark blue.
 
Reply
Old Nov 5, 2003 | 03:39 PM
  #4  
drunkenmonk's Avatar
drunkenmonk
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,309
Likes: 0
From: northern ca
are the 2 yellows identical, or does one have a stripe or something
 
Reply
Old Nov 6, 2003 | 01:11 PM
  #5  
DanTana's Avatar
DanTana
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 160
Likes: 0
Both yellow wires have different color stripes I believe, but predominately yellow. And dark blue one looks black when your under the dash.
 
Reply
Old Nov 6, 2003 | 02:57 PM
  #6  
drunkenmonk's Avatar
drunkenmonk
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,309
Likes: 0
From: northern ca
the wiring diagram in my manual shows

Yellow-connects to the power distribution connector

Yellow with GRey or GReen stripe - connects to a blue and yellow wire that connects to the horns

Blue with yellow - connects to horn switch - ground this wire to activate relay

hope this helps some
 
Reply
Old Nov 6, 2003 | 03:01 PM
  #7  
DanTana's Avatar
DanTana
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 160
Likes: 0
Hmmm...that's good info drunkenmonk. Thanks a bunch, I'll let you know if grounding this solves the problem or maybe it's my clockspring? Not even sure if an 88 has one.
 
Reply
Old Nov 6, 2003 | 03:05 PM
  #8  
drunkenmonk's Avatar
drunkenmonk
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,309
Likes: 0
From: northern ca
the diagram I was working from was for a 79, but it sounds like it's similar, hoping this still helps
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

 Brett Foote
story-2

Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

 Brett Foote
story-6

2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026

 Brett Foote
story-9

5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time

 Joe Kucinski
Old Nov 7, 2003 | 11:18 AM
  #9  
DanTana's Avatar
DanTana
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 160
Likes: 0
I'll try it this weekend, along with getting my backup lights working. I think I'll make another trip to the junkyard and see if I can't find a neutral safety switch there. And I think I need an EGR also, so I'll see if I can find a good one there.
 
Reply
Old Nov 10, 2003 | 01:50 PM
  #10  
DanTana's Avatar
DanTana
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 160
Likes: 0
Ok, I found this out now. If I turn the key just slightly the horn quits working. Meaning even a small increment from "Off" and no horn. Short maybe? I didn't get a chance to check the other wiring. I did try to ground the steering column directly and still wouldn't work as soon as I even nudged the ignition switch from "Off". I didn't try "ACC" though, but I bet it's the same thing.
 
Reply
Old Nov 12, 2003 | 01:30 AM
  #11  
drunkenmonk's Avatar
drunkenmonk
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,309
Likes: 0
From: northern ca
I always thought horn circuits were independent of the ign switch
 
Reply
Old Nov 12, 2003 | 07:46 AM
  #12  
DanTana's Avatar
DanTana
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 160
Likes: 0
I'm pretty sure they are seperate also, that's what makes this so weird. Only thing I can think of is that when the switch gets turned, it must be rubbing or contacting some part of the horn wiring in the column. I haven't pulled my steering wheel yet to check but it looks like that's coming soon.
 
Reply
Old Nov 12, 2003 | 06:42 PM
  #13  
drunkenmonk's Avatar
drunkenmonk
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,309
Likes: 0
From: northern ca
if you disconnect the yellow from the power distribution connector and connect 12V+ do the horns work properly ?
 
Reply
Old Nov 12, 2003 | 07:01 PM
  #14  
DanTana's Avatar
DanTana
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 160
Likes: 0
I haven't tried that yet, but with the key off the horns work. I will give that a try though.
 
Reply
Old Nov 13, 2003 | 10:32 PM
  #15  
forddytube's Avatar
forddytube
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 608
Likes: 0
From: TAOS NM
don't mean to hijack this post.sorry!
i just put on a klaxon horn and it works only my battery is getting draind.
stock i had dual horns with one terminal attached to each only, so i just cut any one of the two stock horn wires and put it on my new horns positive terminal and i put a ground to the new horns negetive terminal and mounted it to the body and it works but i seem to be draining the battery.
the stock horns had one terminal on each horn and my new horn came with two terminals pos- neg and is a 12v.
thanks.
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:31 AM.

story-0
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE
story-1
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

And it might be even better than that.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-18 19:26:42


VIEW MORE
story-2
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

Slideshow: Does lowering an F-150 Lobo RUIN the ride quality?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-18 19:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-3
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE
story-5
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

Slideshow: first look at the 810 hp 2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road!

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-12 12:50:07


VIEW MORE
story-6
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

Slideshow: Everything You Need to Know about the 2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-07 17:51:06


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

Slideshow: 10 most surprising Ford truck options/features in 2026.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:17:22


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026

Slideshow: Here are the top 10 Fords coming to Mecum Indy 2026.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:49:49


VIEW MORE
story-9
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time

Slideshow: The 5 best and 5 worst Ford truck wheels of all time

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 16:49:01


VIEW MORE