'29 Horn - Troubleshooting

R

Raaf

Member
Friends,

My car is a 1929 Roadster and my horn stopped working.

When I push the button I can hear it spin up, but no horn sound. I have tried pushing on the button in all different ways and occasionally I'll get a split second of a chirp, but nothing more.

My first assumption is that it's probably the horn itself since I can hear it trying to make a sound.

Do you all have a sense of where I should start to troubleshoot this?

There is a great wealth of knowledge here so I thought I'd ask before I dive in.

Thanks in advance.

-- Raaf
 
If you can hear the motor spinning, try turning the adjustment screw on the back of the horn. That may be all it takes.
 
I had this problem with my 31 Tudor. I replaced the brushes and cleaned all of the inside of the horn with mi eral of spirits. If you replace the brushes make sure the fiber washers (2) on each brush side are in good shape. One of mine was broken and my horn kept shorting out.. The adjustment screw pad needs a couple of drops of oil. Then turn in or out the horn adjustment screw to get a good tone. If you have the Model A Mechanics Handbook it covers the horn thoroughly. They are not that hard to take apart and fix. I am 76 and I read in my book and on line and fixed it. If I can do it so can you. Good Luck.
 
Thanks to both of you.

I do have the Mechanics Handbook and I've located the adjustment screw on the drawings. I'll give it a try this week. Worst case I'll disassemble and service it as you've described MickyD.

I probably should have just checked the book first - but really appreciate you taking the time to point me in the right direction.

I'm sure it happens to all of us, but every time I drive people ask me to hit the horn. I've been shrugging and yelling back that IT DOESN'T WORK for a few weeks now. :)
 
The question I have is the horn an original A horn? If it's a repo or after market replacement there's not much you can do.
 
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The sounding diaphragm can get fatigue and crack. If it cracks or breaks then it just needs a new diaphragm or at least another serviceable one.
 
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