1973 Ranchero horn problem
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Tuned
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1973 Ranchero horn problem
[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON 09-Aug-01 AT 09:44 AM (EST)[/font][p]Hello - I recently bought a 1973 Ranchero and have noted that with the car off, the horn usually does not work - it just 'clicks' like there is insufficient power. When the car is started, the horn always works fine. I replaced the battery and the solenoid as they were both bad and that fixed the problem I was having starting it.
When I was diagnosing the battery problem, I noted that when I had a battery charger attached, the horn worked but when I removed it or turned it off, the horn again would not work. What should I be checking next - if the car must be running to have sufficient voltage to run the horn? It is not a charging problem since the horn still would not work with the new and fully charged Die Hard battery. Might I have a grounding problem? Thanks in advance for your help!
Tom
When I was diagnosing the battery problem, I noted that when I had a battery charger attached, the horn worked but when I removed it or turned it off, the horn again would not work. What should I be checking next - if the car must be running to have sufficient voltage to run the horn? It is not a charging problem since the horn still would not work with the new and fully charged Die Hard battery. Might I have a grounding problem? Thanks in advance for your help!
Tom
Tuned
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 430
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From: Deatsville, AL
1973 Ranchero horn problem
I believe the horn should not work with the ignition off. If that's correct then the ignition switch is bad. What else works wiht the key off that probably shouldn't?
Bob
'66 7 Litre, top loader, 3.25 Traction-lock, Sidewinder Intake, SCJ Exhaust
'88 F150 LWB 4x2, XLT Lariat, 302, 5 speed, 3.08
'99 Ranger, 4x2, 3.0, 5 speed, 3.73 posi
Bob
'66 7 Litre, top loader, 3.25 Traction-lock, Sidewinder Intake, SCJ Exhaust
'88 F150 LWB 4x2, XLT Lariat, 302, 5 speed, 3.08
'99 Ranger, 4x2, 3.0, 5 speed, 3.73 posi
Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 266
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1973 Ranchero horn problem
[QUOTE]I believe the horn should not work with the ignition off. If that's correct then the ignition switch is bad. What else works wiht the key off that probably shouldn't?
Every car I've ever seen has the horn wired to work with the car off. I cleaned the contacts to the horn last night and it was working with the car off - but that still would not explain why it would usually only work with the car started. Perhaps with the dirty contacts, it took higher current/voltage to overcome the poor connection? If it keeps working, may never know...
Tom
Every car I've ever seen has the horn wired to work with the car off. I cleaned the contacts to the horn last night and it was working with the car off - but that still would not explain why it would usually only work with the car started. Perhaps with the dirty contacts, it took higher current/voltage to overcome the poor connection? If it keeps working, may never know...
Tom
Tuned
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 430
Likes: 0
From: Deatsville, AL
1973 Ranchero horn problem
Wow, really weird. Never even suspected that a horn would work with the key off and it does on all of our vehicles. Wonder why? No other accessory does. But the lights do also, hmmm ...
Anyway, the horn works OK when on the battery charger; this makes me suspect the horn relay or a bad connection, ie, a connection that's corroded.
Bob
'66 7 Litre, top loader, 3.25 Traction-lock, Sidewinder Intake, SCJ Exhaust
'88 F150 LWB 4x2, XLT Lariat, 302, 5 speed, 3.08
'99 Ranger, 4x2, 3.0, 5 speed, 3.73 posi
Anyway, the horn works OK when on the battery charger; this makes me suspect the horn relay or a bad connection, ie, a connection that's corroded.
Bob
'66 7 Litre, top loader, 3.25 Traction-lock, Sidewinder Intake, SCJ Exhaust
'88 F150 LWB 4x2, XLT Lariat, 302, 5 speed, 3.08
'99 Ranger, 4x2, 3.0, 5 speed, 3.73 posi
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