Horn Issue

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Apr 7, 2010 | 04:10 PM

Joker50

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Joined: Feb 2008

Posts: 61

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From: Moultrie, GA

Horn Issue

I have a 1950 F1. The horn is very weak. I do hear a sound every so often. I am questioning the wiring maybe old or maybe the horn button spring or is it the contact plate. Does anyone have any suggestions?
Joker50

Apr 7, 2010 | 04:48 PM

mtflat

Lead Driver

Joined: Oct 1999

Posts: 6,777

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From: Kalispell, MT

All the above, but especially check your grounds. It can all stand cleaning up but what you describe is classis lack of a clean and tight ground connection.

Apr 7, 2010 | 09:59 PM

51f1truck

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Joined: Mar 2008

Posts: 114

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From: Saraland, AL

The horns on my '52 F-1 were not working well. I took them off and tested them by establishing a temporary wiring circuit to a 6 volt battery. I would get an intermittent spurt of sound. I decided to attempt minor surgery on them.

At the end of my horn was a half spherical shell held on with only one small screw. I took that off. Under the cap are two contacts, much like a set of points. These contacts make intermittent contact allowing the metal diaphragm to vibrate creating the horn sound. I found my contacts were badly fouled. After some delicate cleaning with a small file and sandpaper, the horns work much better now.

Fred

Apr 8, 2010 | 01:28 AM

Julies Cool F1

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Joined: May 2008

Posts: 7,641

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From: Poway, Ca.

Yep, as they get older the horn diaphragms tent to rust. They are blued steel. Also, the points (if you have the trumpets they are adjustable) get fouled. When I installed my trumpets, they did the same thing. They kind of whined. So, to the joy of the neighborhood, I just layed on the horn button and in about 5 seconds you could hear them start to open up. This incredible brown cloud cae out of all four.

Just a few tips:

1. Make sure all the grounds are VERY good. Especially that from your hood to the chassis!
2. Horns are a high draw item make sure you are using at least 12 AWG for a 6 volt system or for a 6 volt horn on a 12 vot system.
3. Clean any corrosion out of them if possible.
4. If you have converted to 12 volt, you can use your 6 volt horns, but you need to buy a 12 volt relay. The horns will be very loud on 12 volts (you may want to disconnect them and blast them clean with some jumper cables and the 12 volt battery - be careful they will be loud then!

Apr 8, 2010 | 07:39 AM

cts1954

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Joined: Jul 2006

Posts: 391

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From: Peterborough, Ontario

I worked on a 49 a while back and it did not come with a horn relay, I am not sure if the 50 models were the same but I believe that the horns need a relay to work properly, \i put on on the 49. The horns draw too much current to work properly with only the horn button so if you don't have a relay put one in.

Good luck

Apr 8, 2010 | 08:54 AM

Joker50

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From: Moultrie, GA

Thanks, I will work on the horn. Joker50

Apr 8, 2010 | 09:38 AM

Julies Cool F1

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Joined: May 2008

Posts: 7,641

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From: Poway, Ca.

Ther wiring diagrams for the 48-50 does not show a horn relay. If the truck does not have one, you should install one. There's a reason Ford did in 51.