The Ford Barn

ktgarcia · 08-25-2019, 07:21 PM

I bought a wiring harness for my 1939 Pickup. I hooked up the wire that goes to the horn, but all I get is a noise. Thus, I know there is power going to the horn. After doing some reading, it appears that I might need a relay to make it work. Am I correct in getting my horn to work? I have taken apart the horn and rewired it. Thanks in advance.

JSeery · 08-25-2019, 07:42 PM

Some years used a horn relay and some didn't. I believe the 39 pickup was wired the same as the 39 std cars, but not positive. If it is, the std used a horn relay.

51504bat · 08-25-2019, 08:53 PM

My '39 p/u has a relay

Tinker · 08-25-2019, 09:12 PM

I don't use a relay on my 38 truck. Take the horn off and spray some lubricate down the horn and then put it directly on a battery source off the engine. Repeat. Should loosen up. 12v won't hurt it on short beeps.

koates · 08-25-2019, 09:36 PM

Connect the horn directly across a battery to test it. No sense messing with wires or relays if the horn itself is faulty. Regards, Kevin.

ktgarcia · 08-26-2019, 03:51 PM

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Thanks for the info. I'll use some of your suggestions to see if the horn is truly working.
On a side note:
I took the truck out today ensuring that my vapor lock/coil problem was solved. I only drove it 6 miles, but it seems as if everything is working.

JSeery · 08-26-2019, 03:57 PM

Sounds good!

supereal · 08-26-2019, 04:08 PM

Early horn circuits were simply a connection to a battery source, and other side to a switch, usually a horn button or ring on the steering wheel. Horns draw a lot of current, so a relay was added. This produced a side effect of creating a slight shock from the collapse of the relay coil to tingle the user. Then a resistance wire was added to reduce or eliminate the shock. Next to the starter, the horn(s) often draw a a heavy current.

RKS.PA · 08-26-2019, 05:00 PM

Had an issues with the horn relay in my '39 Deluxe Fordor. Solved it by taking it off and cleaning/filing the contacts. Also soldered some of the connections that were a little shaky, Seemed to cure it's "ills". Those old relays can get corroded over time. Also, they're down there just above the frame where water from wet roads can get to them.

08-25-2019, 07:21 PM	#1
ktgarcia Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Nevada Posts: 115	Horn wiring I bought a wiring harness for my 1939 Pickup. I hooked up the wire that goes to the horn, but all I get is a noise. Thus, I know there is power going to the horn. After doing some reading, it appears that I might need a relay to make it work. Am I correct in getting my horn to work? I have taken apart the horn and rewired it. Thanks in advance.

08-25-2019, 08:53 PM	#3
51504bat Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: SoCal-Redlands Posts: 3,015	Re: Horn wiring My '39 p/u has a relay __________________ Making the simple complicated for over 30 years.

08-25-2019, 09:36 PM	#5
koates Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Melbourne Australia. Posts: 2,079	Re: Horn wiring Connect the horn directly across a battery to test it. No sense messing with wires or relays if the horn itself is faulty. Regards, Kevin.

08-26-2019, 03:51 PM	#6
ktgarcia Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Nevada Posts: 115	Re: Horn wiring Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Thanks for the info. I'll use some of your suggestions to see if the horn is truly working. On a side note: I took the truck out today ensuring that my vapor lock/coil problem was solved. I only drove it 6 miles, but it seems as if everything is working.

08-26-2019, 03:57 PM	#7
JSeery Member Emeritus Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Wichita KS Posts: 16,132	Re: Horn wiring Sounds good!

08-26-2019, 04:08 PM	#8
supereal Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Iowa Posts: 1,634	Re: Horn wiring Early horn circuits were simply a connection to a battery source, and other side to a switch, usually a horn button or ring on the steering wheel. Horns draw a lot of current, so a relay was added. This produced a side effect of creating a slight shock from the collapse of the relay coil to tingle the user. Then a resistance wire was added to reduce or eliminate the shock. Next to the starter, the horn(s) often draw a a heavy current.

08-26-2019, 05:00 PM	#9
RKS.PA Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Marana, AZ Posts: 1,194	Re: Horn wiring Had an issues with the horn relay in my '39 Deluxe Fordor. Solved it by taking it off and cleaning/filing the contacts. Also soldered some of the connections that were a little shaky, Seemed to cure it's "ills". Those old relays can get corroded over time. Also, they're down there just above the frame where water from wet roads can get to them.