Horn
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Pro
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 746
Likes: 5
From: Williamsburg, Va
Horn
Not sure if this a true tech/performance question, but here goes. The horn on my 96 vert is not working. I checked the fuse and that is okay; I would guess any number of things could be wrong......anyplace you would recommend I start in trying to track down the problem? I am one of those "mechanically challenged" guys so it needs to be fairly simple. Thanks :hat
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 16,477
Likes: 1
From: Enter Post Count Here
Re: Horn (96ZOOM)
A couple ways I've fixed horns in the past:
1984 Blazer, the contacts in the steering wheels were so rusted over, electricity could not flow. I took the cap off and steel wooled the contacts, and it worked.
1987 Vette, Horn lead fell off the horn. Crimped the connector tighter and reinstalled.
1992 vEscort, Horn lead runs behind the battery, British Bubba set the battery on the lead and severed it. New lead and a working horn. :seeya
1988 Honda, tweaked the tuner on the back of the horn too far and punctured the diaphram, by far the most expensive fix, $58 for a chrome horn. :cry
To find your problem, you need to know three thrings about horns.
1. They need power
2. They need a ground
3. They need a diaphram
If you identify the power wire(usually red) and ground (black or green), you can do a simple test. Hook a test lead to ground, and tap the black or green connector on the horn with the ignition on, if the horn sounds, you have a bad ground through the steering wheel circuit.
If the horn doesn't sound, hook a test lead from the positive battery terminal to the positive horn connector. Depress the steering wheel button. If the horn sounds you have a bad circuit from the igntion.
If the horn won't sound for either of these tests, you have a bad horn, about $5 for a generic one.
Good luck! :cheers: :seeya
1984 Blazer, the contacts in the steering wheels were so rusted over, electricity could not flow. I took the cap off and steel wooled the contacts, and it worked.
1987 Vette, Horn lead fell off the horn. Crimped the connector tighter and reinstalled.
1992 vEscort, Horn lead runs behind the battery, British Bubba set the battery on the lead and severed it. New lead and a working horn. :seeya
1988 Honda, tweaked the tuner on the back of the horn too far and punctured the diaphram, by far the most expensive fix, $58 for a chrome horn. :cry
To find your problem, you need to know three thrings about horns.
1. They need power
2. They need a ground
3. They need a diaphram
If you identify the power wire(usually red) and ground (black or green), you can do a simple test. Hook a test lead to ground, and tap the black or green connector on the horn with the ignition on, if the horn sounds, you have a bad ground through the steering wheel circuit.
If the horn doesn't sound, hook a test lead from the positive battery terminal to the positive horn connector. Depress the steering wheel button. If the horn sounds you have a bad circuit from the igntion.
If the horn won't sound for either of these tests, you have a bad horn, about $5 for a generic one.
Good luck! :cheers: :seeya
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,363
Likes: 7
From: 1994 LT1 Coupe 6-speed with FX3 & 2000 LS1 Vert 6-Speed with F45 Hunterdon County, NJ
Re: Horn (96ZOOM)
FYI, on our 94 LT1 Coupe when we got it 4 months ago, the horns were very weak, but after loosening and re-tightening the ground wires they are back to normal.
the ground wires are located on the frame rail near each horn -- there's two horns, one on each side of the car up near the front bumper.
Hope this helps...
:flag
the ground wires are located on the frame rail near each horn -- there's two horns, one on each side of the car up near the front bumper.
Hope this helps...
:flag
