The Ford Barn

corvette8n · 08-17-2018, 07:36 AM

1. Be in a hurry(wanted an Ahooga horn installed in time for a car show).
2. Mount the horn relay on the backside of the bracket.
3. Park car near a wall so you have to lean way over the hood to reach the horn.
4. Don't have enough light.
5. Wire everything by feel cause you can't see the markings on the relay.
6. Sit on passenger side to test(remember you parked too close to the wall and can't open drivers door).
7. Turn on master disconnect under dash(glad I installed it).
8. Lean over to drivers side to press auxiliary horn button.
9. Nothing happens but notice smoke coming from under hood.
10. Panic (where's that cutoff located, didn't I just turn it on?)
11. Watch smoke billow up from under hood, find switch and turn it off.
12. Remove burned up relay and wiring, check to make sure all the original wiring is ok.
13. Put project off until another day.

JWL · 08-17-2018, 07:43 AM

I understand!!

51504bat · 08-17-2018, 07:55 AM

Once you let the smoke out you can never get it back in! Glad it wasn't any worse than it was.

JSeery · 08-17-2018, 08:23 AM

Funny story, at least no real damage. I learned wiring the hard way in my youth and have the scars to show for it!

34pickup · 08-17-2018, 08:53 AM

Well, at least you didn't wire an amp gauge with a lamp cord like I did a a young buck on my first car decades ago. Started burning at a stop light. Lucky I was also too lazy to tighten the battery cable so it came off quickly. We are capable of huge relapses in judgement.

uncle buck · 08-17-2018, 08:54 AM

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Lucky you. I think we've all had an oops before from being in a hurry.

A bones · 08-17-2018, 04:56 PM

Thanks for the master switch reference. Safety is a beautiful thing.

Ggmac · 08-17-2018, 05:02 PM

If I may add . ALWAYS disconnect battery ( or shut off ) when parking cars in the garage .

Tinker · 08-17-2018, 07:21 PM

Electricity does not compromise, it does what it does

Glad you were able to cut power fast.

jim1932 · 08-17-2018, 08:52 PM

These cars are so simple. There are tobs of simple trouble shooting info. I still jump to step 6 struggle for days then curse when step 3 was the issue....

32phil · 08-19-2018, 09:45 AM

First rule above all rules....
Always check what the previous owner did....
especially in the electrical dept.....if you don't.....
you may become close with your fire extinguisher and may create a very close call with the local Sunoco station..
Also check the brake dept....and last but not least the steering dept.
Ask me how I know …..

RalphM · 08-19-2018, 09:51 AM

Similar situation, a friend was replacing the headlight switch on his antique car. Did not disconnect the battery and almost caught the entire car on fire!

Clem Clement · 08-19-2018, 11:07 AM

I wired an extra horn on my 41 opera coupe. driving along the boards in Cape May I tooted at some chick. The hot wire hanging beneath the dash went red hot. I grabbed the red were and pulled it loose. sizzled 4 fingers and the chick she never mind...

russcc · 08-19-2018, 06:42 PM

Plenty of light when you do anything, and don't forget your glasses. The battery switch is wisest invest you can make in your car.

08-17-2018, 07:36 AM	#1
corvette8n Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: 36 miles north of Albany NY Posts: 3,198	How to almost burn up your ride. 1. Be in a hurry(wanted an Ahooga horn installed in time for a car show). 2. Mount the horn relay on the backside of the bracket. 3. Park car near a wall so you have to lean way over the hood to reach the horn. 4. Don't have enough light. 5. Wire everything by feel cause you can't see the markings on the relay. 6. Sit on passenger side to test(remember you parked too close to the wall and can't open drivers door). 7. Turn on master disconnect under dash(glad I installed it). 8. Lean over to drivers side to press auxiliary horn button. 9. Nothing happens but notice smoke coming from under hood. 10. Panic (where's that cutoff located, didn't I just turn it on?) 11. Watch smoke billow up from under hood, find switch and turn it off. 12. Remove burned up relay and wiring, check to make sure all the original wiring is ok. 13. Put project off until another day.

08-17-2018, 07:43 AM	#2
JWL Member Emeritus Join Date: May 2010 Location: Fitzgerald, Georgia Posts: 2,204	Re: How to almost burn up your ride. I understand!!

08-17-2018, 07:55 AM	#3
51504bat Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: SoCal-Redlands Posts: 3,413	Re: How to almost burn up your ride. Once you let the smoke out you can never get it back in! Glad it wasn't any worse than it was. __________________ Making the simple complicated for over 30 years.

08-17-2018, 08:23 AM	#4
JSeery Member Emeritus Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Wichita KS Posts: 16,132	Re: How to almost burn up your ride. Funny story, at least no real damage. I learned wiring the hard way in my youth and have the scars to show for it!

08-17-2018, 08:53 AM	#5
34pickup Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Huntsville Al Posts: 1,549	Re: How to almost burn up your ride. Well, at least you didn't wire an amp gauge with a lamp cord like I did a a young buck on my first car decades ago. Started burning at a stop light. Lucky I was also too lazy to tighten the battery cable so it came off quickly. We are capable of huge relapses in judgement. __________________ Matt 24:36-41

08-17-2018, 04:56 PM	#7
A bones Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: CLAYTON DE Posts: 1,350	Re: How to almost burn up your ride. Thanks for the master switch reference. Safety is a beautiful thing. __________________ Enjoy yer day. Tom Hate can't fix what it started.

08-17-2018, 05:02 PM	#8
Ggmac Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Lake worth Florida Posts: 1,375	Re: How to almost burn up your ride. If I may add . ALWAYS disconnect battery ( or shut off ) when parking cars in the garage .

08-17-2018, 07:21 PM	#9
Tinker Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: MN Posts: 7,063	Re: How to almost burn up your ride. Electricity does not compromise, it does what it does Glad you were able to cut power fast. Last edited by Tinker; 08-17-2018 at 07:27 PM.

08-17-2018, 08:52 PM	#10
jim1932 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Hancock, MA Posts: 2,810	Re: How to almost burn up your ride. These cars are so simple. There are tobs of simple trouble shooting info. I still jump to step 6 struggle for days then curse when step 3 was the issue.... __________________ Short URL: http://smu.gs/14g7eDW

08-19-2018, 09:45 AM	#11
32phil Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Montgomery, NY & Port St. Lucie Florida Posts: 975	Re: How to almost burn up your ride. First rule above all rules.... Always check what the previous owner did.... especially in the electrical dept.....if you don't..... you may become close with your fire extinguisher and may create a very close call with the local Sunoco station.. Also check the brake dept....and last but not least the steering dept. Ask me how I know ….. __________________ Early Ford Lock & Key Service https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=46583

08-19-2018, 09:51 AM	#12
RalphM Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: North Pole, Alaska Posts: 2,667	Re: How to almost burn up your ride. Similar situation, a friend was replacing the headlight switch on his antique car. Did not disconnect the battery and almost caught the entire car on fire!

08-19-2018, 11:07 AM	#13
Clem Clement Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Fairfax, VA Posts: 3,532	Re: How to almost burn up your ride. I wired an extra horn on my 41 opera coupe. driving along the boards in Cape May I tooted at some chick. The hot wire hanging beneath the dash went red hot. I grabbed the red were and pulled it loose. sizzled 4 fingers and the chick she never mind...

08-19-2018, 06:42 PM	#14
russcc Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 2,871	Re: How to almost burn up your ride. Plenty of light when you do anything, and don't forget your glasses. The battery switch is wisest invest you can make in your car.