Bench testing car horns

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Jun 21, 2015 | 04:41 PM

sullyman56

Thread Starter

Drifting

Joined: Nov 2013

Posts: 1,547

Likes: 282

From: Scottsdale Arizona

Bench testing car horns

I would like to bench test the horns for my 68 and would like to know the best procedure for doing so. Can someone please help me out with this? TIA.

Jun 21, 2015 | 04:53 PM

KenSny

Melting Slicks

Joined: Apr 2001

Posts: 3,399

Likes: 278

From: Olmsted Falls, Ohio

12 dc. Car battery or other source.
If the horn has one terminal - that's positive. Negative would then be to the horn case, if metal.

Jun 21, 2015 | 05:08 PM

sullyman56

Thread Starter

Drifting

Joined: Nov 2013

Posts: 1,547

Likes: 282

From: Scottsdale Arizona

Quote:

Originally Posted by KenSny

12 dc. Car battery or other source.
If the horn has one terminal - that's positive. Negative would then be to the horn case, if metal.

I tried it and on one horn it makes a very low, nearly inaudible tone. On the other one it doesn't seem as though it's completing the circuit. The hot lead to the wire connection, ground wire to the metal bracket or metal horn case. Using my test light I get nothing. Is there any way to rebuild these or are they no good?

Jun 21, 2015 | 05:47 PM

69FASTFUN

Drifting

Joined: Aug 2006

Posts: 1,729

Likes: 193

From: Scottsdale Arizona

Here is an article on rebuilding the horns

http://www.corvettemagazine.com/tech...-horn-rebuild/

Jun 21, 2015 | 06:53 PM

KenSny

Melting Slicks

Joined: Apr 2001

Posts: 3,399

Likes: 278

From: Olmsted Falls, Ohio

Make sure connections are clean. No paint, rust, corrosion, etc, where you are touching the leads from the battery.

Jun 21, 2015 | 07:04 PM

7T1vette

Team Owner

Joined: Jan 2006

Posts: 37,637

Likes: 3,118

From: Crossville TN

Car horns draw a lot of current when powered. You can't make one work properly with a low dollar battery charger. You need to connect up to a car battery....AND you need to wear ear plugs before you connect it up. They are LOUD, if they work.

Jun 21, 2015 | 08:05 PM

sullyman56

Thread Starter

Drifting

Joined: Nov 2013

Posts: 1,547

Likes: 282

From: Scottsdale Arizona

I cleaned up the electrical spade where the hot leads go and removed old paint and some rust from the mounting bracket and horn case. I have a type H and type S horn. On the type H, same result no sound of any kind. When I connect the positive side and ground it, I get nothing from the test light when I check it by touching the bracket or the horn case. On the type S, again, the same result, a low tone when I connect the positive and touch the ground wire to the case and bracket. I shook them a little thinking there might be some junk inside and I could hear something rattling around like some parts are broken. I'll probably buy the rebuild kit and give that a try.

Jun 22, 2015 | 11:12 PM

7T1vette

Team Owner

Joined: Jan 2006

Posts: 37,637

Likes: 3,118

From: Crossville TN

You are using a 'test light' to check a car horn?? If you are using the test light to see if voltage is present...and it isn't...then your horn relay is KAPUT.