Horn Failure

[bloodyank]

I have good power coming to the horn, and I popped off the button on the steering wheel, and it looks fine...
There are four tabs on the horn itself, and I only have two wires, I'm assuming one positive and one ground...er..earth. They're hooked up diagonally from each other. How can I test the horn? I have a double alligator clip rig.
Thanks!
Dave

[IslipMinor]

The purple wire is the supply and the purple/black goes up to the horn button and then via the horn button to earth/ground.

If the wiring is original, the purple is a 'permanently on' supply, so test there is 12v at the horn terminal. If OK, to test the horn, connect the terminal with the purple/black wire directly to ground. If the horn works the problem is with the wiring and/or the horn button on the steering column.

[bmcecosse]

An ordinary test with a meter will show both wires to be 'live' - so do exactly as Richard describes above.

[bloodyank]

O.K. Did the test, pulled off the purple/black wire and connected an earthed wire to that terminal and no honk... here's a pic (before test)

[frame][/frame]

[bmcecosse]

And is there power at the purple wire??

[mogbob]

The terminals on the horn need a real good clean, back to clean metal before you condemn the horn as" past it's sell by date ".
Good connections first and then test.
Bob

[IslipMinor]

As a final check, connect the voltmeter to the purple connection and ground the purple/black - do you still get 12v at the purple connection? If there is still 12v at the purple terminal, good clean contacts and no horn if you contact the purple/black contact to ground, it sounds like the horn is no good.

[bloodyank]

Sorry- should have said- yes, good power at the purple lead. As the pic shows, the horn is very dirty, so I'll clean those terminals and test again.
Thanks, mates.

[mike.perry]

The four spade connectors are for wiring a pair of horns in parallel

[bloodyank]

As a final check, connect the voltmeter to the purple connection and ground the purple/black - do you still get 12v at the purple connection? If there is still 12v at the purple terminal, good clean contacts and no horn if you contact the purple/black contact to ground, it sounds like the horn is no good.

So, I did all this... I'm gonna pull the horn out and test it on the bench. Can i hook up a 12v lead and ground a lead to test it out of the vehicle?

Also- if/when I get a replacement horn, can I get any horn to work, or will I need a seperate horn relay. Do I need to buy a Morris Minor horn?
Sorry for the dumb questions...

Dave

[whyperion]

Original Horns look nicer , and from my 1964 I get a great 'Parp' and from the larger 1960 a good , deep 'Beep'. But I have found horns to be trickey, needing a good bit of electric (12v) through them , often direct from battery -> Horn -> Ground. This gets the diaphram moving , its probably stuck if not been in use of in poor weather conditions. Off vehicle I think it can be adjusted via the slotted screw head. If still no life then any 12v supply horn/s ( air horns , what ever physically fits ) will do the task of warning persons or other cars.

[Vigil]

I am having problem with my horn.

The horn is on the turn indicator stock with the light.

The indicators work in both directions now.
They had a problem too.
The two fount buckets that hold the bulbs were so rusty there was water lines in the bulbs.
After replacing the sockets & bulbs the turn indicators work on all four corners.

The horn will not work when pushed in like it should.
I do get a little sound from the horn when i use the turn indicator in either direction.
I think this indicates the contact for the horn may be dirty.
I have checked the ground on the circuit. It looks fine.
I touched it with a test ligh to power & it lit the bulb.
Not sure if that means the groud is ok - but i could not think of any other way to test it.

Is there a contact to clean or is the ground the problem?

As always - Thanks for all your help & suggestions.

Vigil