Horn won't Work

S

Stan

Member
Have problems with my horn working from the button. Car's a '31. Lights are fine. Bought a new horn rod and that didn't fix it. The power supply to the horn tests fine but the ground side does not. When I bypass the horn rod and ground the horn to the frame it works great. Any suggestions on how to further troubleshoot and fix the grounding problem would be much appreciated.
 
Where the horn bolts to the light bolt must be a good ground, could be covered with heavy paint.
 
you will need a continuity tester, . Most modern electrical test consoles have one that emits a sound when you have continuity. On older ones you can use the ohmmeter as one. I suspect the spring loaded horn contact in the switch plate is bad. To test the rod, clip one probe to the end contact and another to ground and press the button. It should sound (or indicate contact if the needle swings on an ohmmeter). If not, the rod or button is defective. Another thing to check is that the rod has the bronze bushing at the top, which helps make contact to ground for the rod. If it does show continuity, the problem is elsewhere. Next, clip a probe to the spring loaded, center horn contact on the switch plate, and another to the ground wire at the horn. It should show continuity. If not, the problem is somewhere in that line, most likely at a crimped fitting like the clip or the spring loaded contact. If that lead shows good continuity, check that the spring loaded contact is actually contacting the end of the rod.
 
Gary WA said:
Where the horn bolts to the light bolt must be a good ground, could be covered with heavy paint.
Click to expand...

I don't think so, The voltage passes through the horn and is supposed to be grounded at the steering wheel. I see no reason to ground the horn unless you have a horn relay installed.
 
It may be the end of the light rod not making contact with the center spring loaded horn contact in the light switch. With the switch off you can also test your light rod to make sure its grounding when the button is pushed.

Ron
 
Does the horn work OK if you unsnap the light switch and ground the center horn contact? Is so, then the problem lies with the horn rod or horn button. Sometimes when a horn button hasn't been pressed in years it gets dirt or corrosion in it. Try pressing and rolling the button around to see it it gets an occasional ground.
 
One time I had a 31 & I couldnt get the horn to work. Turned out the car had a lite switch rod meant for a very early 30 with 7 tooth steering box & 30 steering wheel.It was 45 & 3/4"long instead of the correct 45 31/32"--It was 7/32" too short & wouldnt reach contact in lite switch.
 
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