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Owner of a 1989 f150 and I am trying to figure out the cause of my horn not working. I used a multimeter to test the fuse and the fuse is fine. Based on my research it seems like it would be the clockspring. However I cannot find anything before 1994 regarding clock spring replacement (both on clock springs for sale and how to replace them). Last, when I push the horn button I can hear a clicking noise coming from the glove box. I am a bit puzzled as to what what would cause this since the actual horn is on the opposite side underneath the battery. I am thinking that it is the horn relay but I cannot figure out where it is and how to test it. I do not have an owners manual and cannot find a clear diagram that shows where the relay is located. If anyone has any suggestions that would be great!
thank you for your help. Since I am quite new at anything electrical/mechanical and just learned how to use a multimeter...I want to make sure I understand you correctly. Once I disassemble the grill and head light, is it just a matter of unplugging the horn and testing the volts with my multimeter? Also, since I don't want to blow any wiring should I use the DC or AC setting? Thank you so much.
Your meter will be set on DC Volts mode. Find a good ground for your meter black lead and have someone push horn button on steering wheel. With red lead on the wire feeding the horns to see if you are getting 12v out to the horns.
To test the horns and eliminate the truck wiring from the equation take pies of wire from battery 12v to the horn see if they even work. I have had to replace the horns on my 02 Expedition and my son's 99 F350 in last 2-3 years they just quite sounding off except a little clicking.
Is connecting the battery directly to the horn with wires something separate from using the multimeter to test the horn? Also what kind of wire should I use (thickness etc) to connect the horn to the battery? Would I just have to touch the wires to the battery terminals and then the positive one to the horn while I ground the negative wire? Should the truck's battery be disconnected while I am doing all of this? Last how would I secure the wires to the battery and the grounding area so that I don't have to hold them? Thank you once again!
Connecting the wire from the Positive battery terminal to the horn positive terminal is a test to make sure horn works. This test will determine if the problem is the horns are the wiring from steering wheel to the horns. You can use #14 or #12 awg wire to make the test. You leave the battery connected to truck as normal. All we are doing is applying 12v direct to the horn positive to see if the horn is good.
Look at the diagram in the post link I supplied you. You want to come from the positive battery terminal to the yellow with green stripe horn terminal. ( your truck wire color may be different).
Alligator clip test wire ends seem to work the best for making test jumpers. If you do not have them 2 people 1 for battery end and 1 for horn end of wire. It will be a quick simple touch the wires to the appropriate place horn will either blow and make you jump or not.
Thank you so much I will go buy alligator clips...how do I know which part of the horn is negative? I attached a photo of it. One of the little metal pieces says "12v" but It does not day which one is negative or positive.
The 1 mark 12v should be positive. You can take your multi meter on continuity mode and check the the 2 terminals to the nut with the wire and it will tell you which 1 is ground.
Last, when I push the horn button I can hear a clicking noise coming from the glove box. I am a bit puzzled as to what what would cause this since the actual horn is on the opposite side underneath the battery. I am thinking that it is the horn relay but I cannot figure out where it is and how to test it. I do not have an owners manual and cannot find a clear diagram that shows where the relay is located. If anyone has any suggestions that would be great!
Doing a little reading on your year truck the horn relay is mounted with the cruise module RH side of IP behind glove box.
Both of the tabs on that horn may be for 12v and it is using the frame mounting bolt for the ground side. So be sure the mounting bolt mounting bracket is also nice and clean if the horn is to be remounted on the truck. If you plan on doing a lot of work on the truck and keeping it for a long time get yourself a can of this to help with electrical grounds and connections.
Both of the tabs on that horn may be for 12v and it is using the frame mounting bolt for the ground side. So be sure the mounting bolt mounting bracket is also nice and clean if the horn is to be remounted on the truck. If you plan on doing a lot of work on the truck and keeping it for a long time get yourself a can of this to help with electrical grounds and connections.
Thomas & Betts Kopr-Shield Compound
my apologies for the late reply but I wanted to say a big thank you for all of your help! I did the wire testing via the battery and the horn did not beep. I ordered a new one on Amazon so hopefully that does the trick! Once again thank you being kind and helpful to a complete stranger...especially one who is trying to learn basic mechanical skills!
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