testing horn
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 576
Likes: 2
From: The French Connection New Orleans
testing horn
I searched the faq for "horn" and nothing came up. I must not be searching correctly but I need some help.
How do you bench test a horn? Is there a known resistance (impedence) check? I put 12 volts to them and nothing happens.
I got my car back from a shop and the relay was energized so maybe they burned out. I fixed the horn button problem which was sticking.
And if they are bad or burned out (?) will a repair kit fix this type of problem?
As usual, I appreciate any and all input.
Thanks
Joe
How do you bench test a horn? Is there a known resistance (impedence) check? I put 12 volts to them and nothing happens.
I got my car back from a shop and the relay was energized so maybe they burned out. I fixed the horn button problem which was sticking.
And if they are bad or burned out (?) will a repair kit fix this type of problem?
As usual, I appreciate any and all input.
Thanks
Joe
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 54,073
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From: Sitting in his Nowhere land Hanover Pa
2024 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2015 C2 of Year Finalist
you put 12 volts to them and then ground them and they should blow. you might have to tap the back of the horn to help it along.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 11,265
Likes: 2,131
From: Bowling Green, Kentucky
Joe:
Make sure you have 12+ volts and a good ground. If they don't blow then, they are likely burned out/broken.
If they are correct for your car, there are a few folks out there that do repairs/restorations. Not cheap, but they can be fixed.
Part numbers and dates are on the horn body, you just have to look carefully......very small stampings and parts of the various numbers may be missing/obscured.
Larry
Make sure you have 12+ volts and a good ground. If they don't blow then, they are likely burned out/broken.
If they are correct for your car, there are a few folks out there that do repairs/restorations. Not cheap, but they can be fixed.
Part numbers and dates are on the horn body, you just have to look carefully......very small stampings and parts of the various numbers may be missing/obscured.
Larry
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 10,332
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From: PARADISE
St. Jude Donor '09-'11-'12-'13-'14
If they won't blow, squirt a shot of WD40 into them and let them sit for awhile. If it makes them work great, if not, no damage done. I did it to a pair that sat for 25 years, they work just fine now.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 420
Likes: 2
From: America's North Coast Minnesota
ahhh...WD40. I have like 6 cans of the stuff laying around. First I've heard on a horn fix. I'll try it on mine, one is dead, one is weak. I assume you have to kind of spin it around to work it down into the trumpet?
BTW, You can fix about 50% of "barn find" car problems with judicious use of WD40, 3 in 1 oil, and grease.
BTW, You can fix about 50% of "barn find" car problems with judicious use of WD40, 3 in 1 oil, and grease.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 5,474
Likes: 16
From: Houston Texas
St. Jude Donor '10-'12-'13
ahhh...WD40. I have like 6 cans of the stuff laying around. First I've heard on a horn fix. I'll try it on mine, one is dead, one is weak. I assume you have to kind of spin it around to work it down into the trumpet?
BTW, You can fix about 50% of "barn find" car problems with judicious use of WD40, 3 in 1 oil, and grease.
BTW, You can fix about 50% of "barn find" car problems with judicious use of WD40, 3 in 1 oil, and grease.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 15,342
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From: Close to DC
C2 of the Year Finalist - Modified 2020
Joe, If you can't fix them, and want to replace them with something that is effective (loud) and inexpensive, go to the auto recycler (junkyard) and look for a pair of horns from any large Buick, Caddy Pont. from the 60's/70's. Make sure you test them before you leave. They had loud horns. I put a pair on my car, only had to bend the bracket a small amount and they fit in the original location. Yes they do get the persons attention who is on the cell phone. Dennis
Dennis
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Team Owner
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From: Washington Michigan
If the WD-40 thing doesn't work (and it usually doesn't), and the horns are original 487-488's, send them to Ron Goralski, byegonevette@comcast.net; best midyear horn restorer out there, charges about half what the other "experts" do, does flawless work.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 54,073
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From: Sitting in his Nowhere land Hanover Pa
2024 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2015 C2 of Year Finalist
If the WD-40 thing doesn't work (and it usually doesn't), and the horns are original 487-488's, send them to Ron Goralski, byegonevette@comcast.net; best midyear horn restorer out there, charges about half what the other "experts" do, does flawless work.
