The Ford Barn

47Monarch · 06-09-2022, 03:14 PM

So when I blow the horn in my 47 it's a 50 50 if they work. Some times they sound like a dead battery just a squawk
If I disconnect either one the remaining horn works fine. I guess the question is is it the relay? If not any suggestions are appreciated.

19Fordy · 06-09-2022, 05:35 PM

Carefully take the relay apart and clean the contacts.

koates · 06-09-2022, 07:42 PM

Sounds like your horns are not getting enough voltage on them. As mentioned already could be the relay contacts or a bad connection somewhere. Test the voltage at the horns while they are operating. Regards, Kevin.

Anteek29 · 06-09-2022, 08:03 PM

Apply a wire jumper to bypass the relay. That will tell the story.

paul2748 · 06-09-2022, 08:10 PM

Might want to check the contact points in the column. It can get dirty so the contact is not good. I had the same problem with my 54 horn, cleaned it up and it worked much better.

drolston · 06-09-2022, 08:26 PM

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With nothing else going on, you should have full battery voltage at the relay, even if there is corrosion or dirty connections. Connect an Ohmmeter between the power/battery connection and the power (not grounded) terminal of the battery. Anything over 0.1 Ohm, you have a problem. The other way to test it is to leave your voltmeter hooked to the Bat terminal of the relay and observe the voltage drop when you push the horn button. If it drops more than half a volt, you have too much resistance somewhere in the circuit.

Clean and tighten all connections to the relay. Any sign of green copper corrosion at any connector probably means that the wire is corroding inside the jacket and will need to be replaced. Take the relay loose from its mounting and clean the contact to be sure it has a good ground. If the relay is mounted on the horn bracket, check the ground between the horn bracket and the body to which it is mounted.

These horns are sensitive to low voltage.

06-09-2022, 03:14 PM	#1
47Monarch Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: Sydney Nova Scotia Posts: 126	I have an issue with my horns So when I blow the horn in my 47 it's a 50 50 if they work. Some times they sound like a dead battery just a squawk If I disconnect either one the remaining horn works fine. I guess the question is is it the relay? If not any suggestions are appreciated.

06-09-2022, 05:35 PM	#2
19Fordy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Coral Springs FL Posts: 10,950	Re: I have an issue with my horns Carefully take the relay apart and clean the contacts.

06-09-2022, 07:42 PM	#3
koates Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Melbourne Australia. Posts: 2,079	Re: I have an issue with my horns Sounds like your horns are not getting enough voltage on them. As mentioned already could be the relay contacts or a bad connection somewhere. Test the voltage at the horns while they are operating. Regards, Kevin.

06-09-2022, 08:03 PM	#4
Anteek29 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Santa Maria, CA Posts: 985	Re: I have an issue with my horns Apply a wire jumper to bypass the relay. That will tell the story. __________________ Alan 1929 Special Coupe 1941 Pick-Up 1955 Victoria

06-09-2022, 08:10 PM	#5
paul2748 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Midland Park, NJ Posts: 3,982	Re: I have an issue with my horns Might want to check the contact points in the column. It can get dirty so the contact is not good. I had the same problem with my 54 horn, cleaned it up and it worked much better. __________________ 48 Ford Conv 56 Tbird 54 Ford Victoria

06-09-2022, 08:26 PM	#6
drolston Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Williamsburg, VA Posts: 1,627	Re: I have an issue with my horns Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) With nothing else going on, you should have full battery voltage at the relay, even if there is corrosion or dirty connections. Connect an Ohmmeter between the power/battery connection and the power (not grounded) terminal of the battery. Anything over 0.1 Ohm, you have a problem. The other way to test it is to leave your voltmeter hooked to the Bat terminal of the relay and observe the voltage drop when you push the horn button. If it drops more than half a volt, you have too much resistance somewhere in the circuit. Clean and tighten all connections to the relay. Any sign of green copper corrosion at any connector probably means that the wire is corroding inside the jacket and will need to be replaced. Take the relay loose from its mounting and clean the contact to be sure it has a good ground. If the relay is mounted on the horn bracket, check the ground between the horn bracket and the body to which it is mounted. These horns are sensitive to low voltage.