Horn not operating
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Cross-Country
Joined: May 2024
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Horn not operating
Hi getting a 1985 F150 pickup ready for inspection. The horn was working but stopped working. I removed the horn and it was bad. I replaced it and now horn blew a few times then nothing. I jumped the horn from the battery and it works. So ground is good.Pulled the pad from the steering wheel and used an ohm meter to check it out and that is working also. I used the ohm meter from the horn wire that goes into horn and one of the connector on the wheel. The resistance was goofy. I assume one connector runs to the horn wire under hood and other wire feeds 12 volts to the horn. I rotated the wheel to see if the rub ring is at fault. Before I pull the wheel and check the rub ring my question is as follows. Is there a horn relay on this truck. It is not equipped with cruise control. And if it has a horn relay where is it located. My understanding 12 volts if fed from fuse #16 on the fuse block. Any help is appreciated. Thanks.
Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,565
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From: Washington
Horn relays are only used on trucks that have cruise control. The horn relay, on a cruise control truck, is located next to the computer and cruise control brain.
I would just look for the 12 volts supply, under the horn pad. Try to jumper across the switch, to check the wiring.
If you need to just get it through an inspection, you could use a external horn button. It really doesn't need to be on the steering wheel.
Post a photo of the under side of the horn pad. Others might be able to tell you if it is the correct one, or is something is missing.
Good luck, Jim
I would just look for the 12 volts supply, under the horn pad. Try to jumper across the switch, to check the wiring.
If you need to just get it through an inspection, you could use a external horn button. It really doesn't need to be on the steering wheel.
Post a photo of the under side of the horn pad. Others might be able to tell you if it is the correct one, or is something is missing.
Good luck, Jim
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Cross-Country
Joined: May 2024
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O,K, I read this but wanted to verify it. Will check wiring from fuse #16 for power. It should come up column to rub ring. I tried shorting out both lugs on steering wheel. Nothing . Time to pull steering wheel. Thanks for the help.
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2002
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I thought everything goes through the rub ring. So if other things are working that might not be your issue. Karl is pretty up on electrical through the column. Others may chime in. Before you pull the wheel you might want to check in with them.
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 7,171
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Wiring diagrams are here, page 112:
https://www.garysgaragemahal.com/1985-evtm.html
If not equipped with speed control, you'd use the diagram on the left. Curiously, that diagram does not show a slip ring at the steering wheel, but it must have had something, right?
My truck has speed control, and continuity through those slip rings can be really erratic.
See post #1310 in this long thread for a simple steering wheel puller you can fabricate:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...l#post18663784
https://www.garysgaragemahal.com/1985-evtm.html
If not equipped with speed control, you'd use the diagram on the left. Curiously, that diagram does not show a slip ring at the steering wheel, but it must have had something, right?
My truck has speed control, and continuity through those slip rings can be really erratic.
See post #1310 in this long thread for a simple steering wheel puller you can fabricate:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...l#post18663784
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jun 2022
Posts: 192
Likes: 76
From: SW Connecticut
I love the fact that they call it a cigar lighter. As if smoking anything else while hauling around in a badass 1980s pickup would be bush league.
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Cross-Country
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Got a chance today to pull the steering wheel on the pickup truck. Well one of the copper spring loaded pins that are part of the turn signal switch is collapsed. Looks like the spring under it gave out. So for now going to jumper the wires under the dash and install a button to blow it. Purchased a tilt column from an automatic shift truck and we will modify it for the floor shifter we have and install in the spring when weather gets better. Ignition key is also missing so will have to get that lock out and change it to the truck keys.
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Cross-Country
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Hi Been a while. Spring is finally here. Going to jump back on the 85 F-150 again. Going to bypass the horn contact in the turn signal switch assembly and just put a button under the dash on it to get truck inspected. Once I get her inspected will tackle the conversion of the ignition system change over. I unplugged the computer under the dash and she still runs. Understand timing is in a default mode but should be able to get truck over for inspection then tackle the distributor swap. A question, by purchasing the new aftermarket HEI distributor assembly, can I buy extra internals as spares? See a few different brands out there. Any one better than the other? thanks.
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Cross-Country
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Great . Did not know if those things were available as spares or not. Chinese parts are notorious for not marking electronic components to secure replacement parts. Not arguing the price for the HEI units which make life easy. Not opposed to points style distributors even as quality point and condensers are sketchy quality these days. Also are these HEI units set up for timing advance for this truck? I see a few where the price is up there but they claim they custom adjust curve to match engine specs. I own a few vintage cars with point style set ups. And the horn bypass is temporary as I located a tilt column missing the key. It is an automatic column so a bit of modifying the column lockout to accommodate the floor shifter. Thanks again to the forum.
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