Horn wiring

K

ktgarcia

Senior Member
I bought a wiring harness for my 1939 Pickup. I hooked up the wire that goes to the horn, but all I get is a noise. Thus, I know there is power going to the horn. After doing some reading, it appears that I might need a relay to make it work. Am I correct in getting my horn to work? I have taken apart the horn and rewired it. Thanks in advance.
 
Some years used a horn relay and some didn't. I believe the 39 pickup was wired the same as the 39 std cars, but not positive. If it is, the std used a horn relay.
 

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I don't use a relay on my 38 truck. Take the horn off and spray some lubricate down the horn and then put it directly on a battery source off the engine. Repeat. Should loosen up. 12v won't hurt it on short beeps.
 

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Connect the horn directly across a battery to test it. No sense messing with wires or relays if the horn itself is faulty. Regards, Kevin.
 
Thanks for the info. I'll use some of your suggestions to see if the horn is truly working.
On a side note:
I took the truck out today ensuring that my vapor lock/coil problem was solved. I only drove it 6 miles, but it seems as if everything is working.
 
Early horn circuits were simply a connection to a battery source, and other side to a switch, usually a horn button or ring on the steering wheel. Horns draw a lot of current, so a relay was added. This produced a side effect of creating a slight shock from the collapse of the relay coil to tingle the user. Then a resistance wire was added to reduce or eliminate the shock. Next to the starter, the horn(s) often draw a a heavy current.
 
Had an issues with the horn relay in my '39 Deluxe Fordor. Solved it by taking it off and cleaning/filing the contacts. Also soldered some of the connections that were a little shaky, Seemed to cure it's "ills". Those old relays can get corroded over time. Also, they're down there just above the frame where water from wet roads can get to them.
 
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