Question About Inconsistent Horn Performance
 

I know there could be multiple reasons but what is going on when a horn on one car can go full-throated with the car not running, but another car needs the
engine running to hit the high notes? And assume that both cars are basically the same in most respects mechanically/electrically/degree of restoration.

Re: Question About Inconsistent Horn Performance
 

Original diaphragm or reproduced diaphragm ?

Re: Question About Inconsistent Horn Performance
 

It comes down to any differences in the horn, or the path of power and ground if all else is the same.

Re: Question About Inconsistent Horn Performance
 

Try this. Back off on the adjustment screw and hold the horn button down for about 20 seconds. Let that motor run. It’s a motor, it wants to run. While in use, it only runs for a second at a time. Adjust it back and see if this helps.

Re: Question About Inconsistent Horn Performance
 

Re: Question About Inconsistent Horn Performance
 

do you guys think there is any role for that spray electronic cleaner?

as regards the status of the internal parts brought up, I'm not sure about that. I got CRS....Can't Remember xxxx.

I do think one mistake I've made over the years is to over-lubricate the felt pads inside the horn.

Re: Question About Inconsistent Horn Performance
 

This could either be mechanical (e.g., too much pressure on the diaphragm, high resistance to turning the armature due to dry bushings) or electrical (incomplete or high resistance electrical path). I've had both. On one horn I pulled it apart and found one brush spring had compressed so far that it was not pushing the brush against the armature. I pulled it out and it worked fine while I waited for a new set of springs to come in.

Just the joy of working on mechanical devices approaching a century old.

JayJay

Re: Question About Inconsistent Horn Performance
 

thanks gang...should I assume that the horn should sound properly with the engine off?

Re: Question About Inconsistent Horn Performance
 

The generator produces a higher voltage to charge the battery, so the horn will spin faster and have a slightly higher pitch with the engine running. If the horn is very weak with only battery, check connections between battery and generator.

Re: Question About Inconsistent Horn Performance
 

My horn never worked very well until I changed to an alternator. I probably could have tinkered with the generator to improve its performance, but I'm not that well-versed with electrical stuff so I took the path of least resistance! Lights work better too with the alternator.

Re: Question About Inconsistent Horn Performance
 

As was mentioned in two of the previous posts, the electrical path both within the horn and external connections needs to be considered. Don't overlook the fact that the horn button itself is part of the electrical path. It is an electrical switch. Its contacts after 90 years may be dirty or pitted. The electrical path of the horn first has a yellow wire that connects directly to the generator [or alternator], and that wire is always hot. The blue/yellow wire is the path to ground which goes through the horn button on its way to ground. If you take a jumper wire and go from the blue/yellow wire contact on the horn to ground and it should blow the horn. If it blows better by using the jumper than the horn button, then that tells you that the horn button may be your problem.

Re: Question About Inconsistent Horn Performance
 

actually, changing to an alternator that has been created via an original generator has been one of the happiest things I've done.