horn doesn't work-please help

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Aug 27, 2004 | 07:56 PM

jammin jim

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horn doesn't work-please help

i didn't know if maybe it had something to do with the wiring or not. just joined and loving all the guys help- keep up the good work

Aug 27, 2004 | 08:20 PM

Dealford

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From: Belleville, Ontario

What truck do you have? Do you have a service or owners manual to show the fuse/relay locations?
Find the fuse first `cause that's the easiest place to start.
AL.

Aug 27, 2004 | 08:28 PM

jammin jim

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I have a 1975 ford f-100, I do have an owners manual, but I've already checked the fuse-hang on and let me check something.....okay yes the fuse is not blown, are there more than one fuse to check?

Aug 27, 2004 | 08:32 PM

jammin jim

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i even have the original invoice. Brand new the truck costed 4400.00cash, not bad for a brand new truck-you won't pay that now for a truck unless it is used

Aug 27, 2004 | 08:46 PM

Dealford

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From: Belleville, Ontario

There's a relay along the left fender well somewhere or on the rad cradle. It's a little tin box about half the size of a bic lighter with 3? wires coming out of it. It will kind of look out of place being that small.
I just looked in the old Chiltons, & there's NO reference for horn repair! Go figure!
AL.

Aug 27, 2004 | 08:56 PM

jammin jim

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thanks for all your help- I will check that out, now i assume the left-side is driver's side?right The only thing my manual has about the horn is "it's mounted in the center of the steering wheel" duh!

Aug 27, 2004 | 09:33 PM

Franklin2

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From: Virginia

The relay should have a couple of heavy wires. One going to the horn, the other is power coming in.

Take the large wire going to the horn and run a jumper wire over to the battery positive. The horn should blow when the jumper is touched to the battery positive.

If that works, then look again at the relay plug. You should have one small wire going to the relay. This is the wire that goes to the steering wheel. This wire must be grounded to metal to make the horn blow. If you can, plug the relay back up, take your jumper wire and hook it to a good ground or the battery negative, and touch the other end of the jumper up into the plug to touch the small wire. The relay should click, and the horn should blow. If it doesn't, you have a bad relay.

It everything is checking out so far, then it sounds like the problem is in the steering wheel. Pull the steering wheel off, and you should see a brass ring with a wire going to it. Ground this brass ring with a jumper, and the horn should blow.

If you look at the back of the steering wheel, you should see a spring loaded "brush" or contact that rubs the brass ring. Pull the steering wheel apart, and see if the spring loaded washer or the steering wheel itself is rusty and not making good ground contact.