The Ford Barn

ltdann · 07-24-2013, 06:22 AM

Hi all!
I have a Sparton horn on my newly restored CCPU. Recently, it went intermittent, and then quit working all together. When I push the button, I can hear the armature spinning, but no AOOOOOGAHHH.

I plan on taking the horn apart this weekend. Before I do, might anyone have an idea what the problem might be?

Rich

edzaha · 07-24-2013, 06:32 AM

Try adjusting it.

Mike in NRN IN · 07-24-2013, 06:34 AM

Look at the back of the horn cover. There are two screws. One holds the cover on, the other adjusts the pressure of the agitator on the horn diaphragm (adjusting screw).

Turn the adjusting screw in (clockwise) and you should feel it click as it turns.

After each click, try the horn.

This assembly is under spring-loaded pressure and it is possible that the assembly has come apart on the inside. While I am by no means an expert, it is possible that the cover hold down screw has been tightened too much, cussing a deformation of the motor assembly and this has led to the adjusting assembly to come apart.

If all this looks good and the horn still won't sound, t could be the agitator has come undone, or the diaphragm has rusted out. Again, I'm no expert, but I had all of this happen on my older restoration car right after I got it on the road.

tbirdtbird · 07-24-2013, 06:39 AM

i have found that these klaxon type horns need an occasional adjusting even if nothing is wrong inside.

Tom Wesenberg · 07-24-2013, 02:50 PM

What Mike said, and if that doesn't fix it and it needs to come apart, be carefull of the nut on the armature shaft. Some nuts are LEFT HAND THREAD. So, if you can't tell by looking at the thread, then don't force it by possibly turning the wrong direction.

BILL WILLIAMSON · 07-24-2013, 04:49 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

My Stewart-Warner horn stopped sounding in an instant & only "WHIRRED"! With 3 clockwise clicks on the adjuster, IT WAS BACK!! I surmise it must have lost a chunk off the "button" goodie on the diaphragm. Bill W.

ltdann · 07-27-2013, 08:07 AM

All,

I loosened the adjustment screw about 3/4 turn and the horn now works again!

Thanks for the help....Rich

rprice · 07-27-2013, 08:11 AM

Another satisfied customer.

Rog

Bruce Adams · 07-27-2013, 11:04 AM

Do not OVER TIGHTEN the other screw that holds on the cannister or it might make make it too tight and stop the horn from working correctly.
Glad to hear your horn is now working well !

insomniacshotrods · 08-18-2013, 11:24 PM

I was tightening my sparton horn cover back on tonight after oiling inside, thought id go alittle bit more and make sure it didnt fall out .When the horn activated and stayed on till i could get my composure enough to find the little slot ,on that little screw ,with my now shaking hands to back it out some. Scared the crap out of me.

Mike V. Florida · 08-18-2013, 11:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by insomniacshotrods

I was tightening my sparton horn cover back on tonight after oiling inside, thought id go alittle bit more and make sure it didnt fall out .When the horn activated and stayed on till i could get my composure enough to find the little slot ,on that little screw ,with my now shaking hands to back it out some. Scared the crap out of me.

It will do that!

Tom Wesenberg · 08-19-2013, 11:43 PM

You must be using a repro cover screw, which can be screwed in far enough to touch the brush holder, thus grounding it and making the horn blow. Hopefully the brush holder didn't get bent, like one horn I fixed.

07-24-2013, 06:22 AM	#1
ltdann Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Weldon Spring, MO Posts: 63	Sparton Horn Stopped Working Hi all! I have a Sparton horn on my newly restored CCPU. Recently, it went intermittent, and then quit working all together. When I push the button, I can hear the armature spinning, but no AOOOOOGAHHH. I plan on taking the horn apart this weekend. Before I do, might anyone have an idea what the problem might be? Rich

07-24-2013, 06:32 AM	#2
edzaha Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: New Jersey Posts: 206	Re: Sparton Horn Stopped Working Try adjusting it.

07-24-2013, 06:34 AM	#3
Mike in NRN IN Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Northern Indiana Posts: 208	Re: Sparton Horn Stopped Working Look at the back of the horn cover. There are two screws. One holds the cover on, the other adjusts the pressure of the agitator on the horn diaphragm (adjusting screw). Turn the adjusting screw in (clockwise) and you should feel it click as it turns. After each click, try the horn. This assembly is under spring-loaded pressure and it is possible that the assembly has come apart on the inside. While I am by no means an expert, it is possible that the cover hold down screw has been tightened too much, cussing a deformation of the motor assembly and this has led to the adjusting assembly to come apart. If all this looks good and the horn still won't sound, t could be the agitator has come undone, or the diaphragm has rusted out. Again, I'm no expert, but I had all of this happen on my older restoration car right after I got it on the road.

07-24-2013, 06:39 AM	#4
tbirdtbird BANNED Join Date: May 2012 Location: inside your RAM Posts: 3,134	Re: Sparton Horn Stopped Working i have found that these klaxon type horns need an occasional adjusting even if nothing is wrong inside. __________________ '31 180A

07-24-2013, 02:50 PM	#5
Tom Wesenberg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 27,582	Re: Sparton Horn Stopped Working What Mike said, and if that doesn't fix it and it needs to come apart, be carefull of the nut on the armature shaft. Some nuts are LEFT HAND THREAD. So, if you can't tell by looking at the thread, then don't force it by possibly turning the wrong direction.

07-24-2013, 04:49 PM	#6
BILL WILLIAMSON Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: FRESNO, CA Posts: 12,560	Re: Sparton Horn Stopped Working Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) My Stewart-Warner horn stopped sounding in an instant & only "WHIRRED"! With 3 clockwise clicks on the adjuster, IT WAS BACK!! I surmise it must have lost a chunk off the "button" goodie on the diaphragm. Bill W. __________________ "THE ASSISTANT GURU OF STUFF"

07-27-2013, 08:07 AM	#7
ltdann Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Weldon Spring, MO Posts: 63	Re: Sparton Horn Stopped Working All, I loosened the adjustment screw about 3/4 turn and the horn now works again! Thanks for the help....Rich

07-27-2013, 08:11 AM	#8
rprice Member Join Date: May 2013 Posts: 48	Re: Sparton Horn Stopped Working Another satisfied customer. Rog

07-27-2013, 11:04 AM	#9
Bruce Adams Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Northport, NY Posts: 1,597	Re: Sparton Horn Stopped Working Do not OVER TIGHTEN the other screw that holds on the cannister or it might make make it too tight and stop the horn from working correctly. Glad to hear your horn is now working well !

08-18-2013, 11:24 PM	#10
insomniacshotrods Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Carthage, Missouri Posts: 267	Re: Sparton Horn Stopped Working I was tightening my sparton horn cover back on tonight after oiling inside, thought id go alittle bit more and make sure it didnt fall out .When the horn activated and stayed on till i could get my composure enough to find the little slot ,on that little screw ,with my now shaking hands to back it out some. Scared the crap out of me.

08-19-2013, 11:43 PM	#12
Tom Wesenberg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 27,582	Re: Sparton Horn Stopped Working You must be using a repro cover screw, which can be screwed in far enough to touch the brush holder, thus grounding it and making the horn blow. Hopefully the brush holder didn't get bent, like one horn I fixed.