Horn
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 101
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From: Scotts Valley, CA
Horn
The horn in my '76 wasn't working when I got it. I ran a hot lead directly to the horn and it worked fine, so I figured the horn bar in the steering wheel might not be connected. Pulled it off, and both the hot wire and ground were connected. I grounded the hot lead, and... nothing. So, it must be the relay, right? Bought a new relay, plugged it in, and... nothing. If I jump the two yellow wires that connect to the relay, the horn works. What do I check next?
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2008
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From: Duncan B.C.
Sounds like it must be in the wiring/connections between the relay and the horn bar.Power not getting to the horn bar end of the hot wire? Or maybe the horn bar itself. I had one that just got so brittle with age that it didn't work any more. The plastic part didn't flex enough to make the switch.
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,760
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From: Gadsden Purchase
Am I remembering right? :/
The horn relay has a hot wire to it and so is hot all the time and the horn
button in the steering wheel grounds the other side to finish the circuit.
If that's right then try finishing the ground circuit -at the relay- by passing
the wiring going to the button? {shrug}
Too bad you don't have a meter. ;)
Alvin in AZ
The horn relay has a hot wire to it and so is hot all the time and the horn
button in the steering wheel grounds the other side to finish the circuit.
If that's right then try finishing the ground circuit -at the relay- by passing
the wiring going to the button? {shrug}
Too bad you don't have a meter. ;)
Alvin in AZ
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2008
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From: Duncan B.C.
Yeah, the horn bar grounds the relay to make it connect the 2 yellow wires together, honking the horn. (Your relay has 3 wires, right? The third should be a blue/yellow wire that goes to the horn bar. (If it splits, the other one goes to the cruise control, if you have that) So the problem must be in the blue/yellow wire (or connections). Unless your column isn't grounded, but that is pretty unlikely. Meter? I don't even know her.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 8,786
Likes: 28
From: Northern California
I've also seen the horn brushes wear out.
But I'd check the horn pad first. if your truck does not have cruise, remove the pad, and use a wire to jump one post on the wheel to the other. If the horn sounds it is the pad that's defective.
But I'd check the horn pad first. if your truck does not have cruise, remove the pad, and use a wire to jump one post on the wheel to the other. If the horn sounds it is the pad that's defective.
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 101
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From: Scotts Valley, CA
I pulled the bar/button and grounded the hot lead, but it didn't work. That's what made me think it was the relay.
Alvin - I do have a meter. What do you suggest?
Alvin - I do have a meter. What do you suggest?
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Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Gadsden Purchase
Use it? ;)
Alvin in AZ
Alvin in AZ
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 8,786
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From: Northern California
At the bottom of the column you will find the blue horn wire, ground it out there and see if the horn sounds. If it does the horn brushes are possibly worn out, or there is a defect in the wiring in the column.
If it doesn't sound, check for power at the horn relay using your meter.
If it doesn't sound, check for power at the horn relay using your meter.
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 101
Likes: 0
From: Scotts Valley, CA
At the bottom of the column you will find the blue horn wire, ground it out there and see if the horn sounds. If it does the horn brushes are possibly worn out, or there is a defect in the wiring in the column.
If it doesn't sound, check for power at the horn relay using your meter.
If it doesn't sound, check for power at the horn relay using your meter.
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,760
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From: Gadsden Purchase
LOL :)
Might use the ohms reading feature of the meter even?
Pull the "ground" wire from the relay and measure what the resistance
to ground is when the horn button is pushed? :)
Leave the meter hooked up etc when you tear into the column?
It'll be there ready and waiting for you to make "contact tests".
Me?
I'd have the meter so I could see it under the open hood.
There. Is that less smart alack? ;)
Alvin in AZ
Might use the ohms reading feature of the meter even?
Pull the "ground" wire from the relay and measure what the resistance
to ground is when the horn button is pushed? :)
Leave the meter hooked up etc when you tear into the column?
It'll be there ready and waiting for you to make "contact tests".
Me?
I'd have the meter so I could see it under the open hood.
There. Is that less smart alack? ;)
Alvin in AZ
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 8,786
Likes: 28
From: Northern California
Not exactly, the horn brush is a part of the turn signal switch, and has to be replaced with the entire turn signal switch.
So if his horn brush is bad, he has to replace the entire D3TZ-13341-A (manual) or D3TZ-13341-B (Auto) turn signal switch.
EDIT: Picture...
Postmaster
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 3,940
Likes: 8
From: Southern Oregon Coast
As a temporary fix, you could hook up something like this:
Marine Express USA Boat Parts, Engine Parts, Boat Accessories HORN SWITCH Part # 50-11711 - MOM.HORN SWI - SEACHOICE, Electrical Equipment, 50-11711
Don't know how the turn signal switch assemblies are to replace in these trucks - I've only replaced 2 to my recollection; 1 in an AMC Hornet and 1 in an AMC Eagle (Both used GM steering columns.)
Marine Express USA Boat Parts, Engine Parts, Boat Accessories HORN SWITCH Part # 50-11711 - MOM.HORN SWI - SEACHOICE, Electrical Equipment, 50-11711
Don't know how the turn signal switch assemblies are to replace in these trucks - I've only replaced 2 to my recollection; 1 in an AMC Hornet and 1 in an AMC Eagle (Both used GM steering columns.)
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 101
Likes: 0
From: Scotts Valley, CA
LOL 
Might use the ohms reading feature of the meter even?
Pull the "ground" wire from the relay and measure what the resistance
to ground is when the horn button is pushed?
Leave the meter hooked up etc when you tear into the column?
It'll be there ready and waiting for you to make "contact tests".
Me?
I'd have the meter so I could see it under the open hood.
There. Is that less smart alack?
Alvin in AZ
Might use the ohms reading feature of the meter even?
Pull the "ground" wire from the relay and measure what the resistance
to ground is when the horn button is pushed?
Leave the meter hooked up etc when you tear into the column?
It'll be there ready and waiting for you to make "contact tests".
Me?
I'd have the meter so I could see it under the open hood.
There. Is that less smart alack?
Alvin in AZ
Ohms... you mean, like, resistance? I can do that!
Out of all the vehicles I've had over the past 30+ years, this is the first time I've had a horn issue, and I wasn't clear on how they work. Until I read responses to this thread, I didn't realize the circuit was "hot" all the time. I'll follow your advice.