The Ford Barn

30-9 · 08-09-2019, 07:30 PM

Out tonight with the 39.

Lights off horn works
Lights on horn don’t work and dash lights dim when pressing horn button

No idea where to start - help appreciated.

Oh one more thing, a few months ago, I took steering wheel off to repair some cracks.

cmbrucew · 08-09-2019, 07:50 PM

Ground the steering colulm.
Bruce

fourfords · 08-09-2019, 07:51 PM

You didn't specify if the engine was running or not during your test.

If engine is not running while pushing horn button, turning on lights, dash lights, There's a possibility the proper grounding is an issue with one or more of the components and/or battery is not putting out 6 volts.(Assuming your car is 6 volts)

If engine IS running, (Not idling) advance the third brush in the generator until it can accommodate the electric demands of the headlights, dash lights, horn, radio, etc. ammeter should be centered at 0 after your adjustment.

koates · 08-09-2019, 09:35 PM

Sounds like horn is out of adjustment and drawing too much current. Contacts burnt and may need refacing and adjustment. Or maybe the steering wheel horn contact button is not making a good ground for the horn. Test the horn by grounding the blue with yellow tracer wire at the horn with a small jumper wire. If the horn works there then there is a problem with the horn button circuit. Check for good connections on starter solenoid terminals, put a spanner on them. Check for good connections under dash at fuseholder etc. Horns draw more current than any other item in the car except for the starter motor and so require good voltage and connections. Regards, Kevin.

30-9 · 08-10-2019, 04:19 PM

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Thanks all...

08-09-2019, 07:30 PM	#1
30-9 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: MA Posts: 888	Horn question Out tonight with the 39. Lights off horn works Lights on horn don’t work and dash lights dim when pressing horn button No idea where to start - help appreciated. Oh one more thing, a few months ago, I took steering wheel off to repair some cracks. __________________ Thanks - 30-9 1939, 1940

08-09-2019, 07:50 PM	#2
cmbrucew Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: North of sandy ago, CA. Posts: 2,064	Re: Horn question Ground the steering colulm. Bruce __________________ Works good Lasts long time

08-09-2019, 07:51 PM	#3
fourfords Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Lake Elsinore, CA. Posts: 414	Re: Horn question You didn't specify if the engine was running or not during your test. If engine is not running while pushing horn button, turning on lights, dash lights, There's a possibility the proper grounding is an issue with one or more of the components and/or battery is not putting out 6 volts.(Assuming your car is 6 volts) If engine IS running, (Not idling) advance the third brush in the generator until it can accommodate the electric demands of the headlights, dash lights, horn, radio, etc. ammeter should be centered at 0 after your adjustment.

08-09-2019, 09:35 PM	#4
koates Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Melbourne Australia. Posts: 2,079	Re: Horn question Sounds like horn is out of adjustment and drawing too much current. Contacts burnt and may need refacing and adjustment. Or maybe the steering wheel horn contact button is not making a good ground for the horn. Test the horn by grounding the blue with yellow tracer wire at the horn with a small jumper wire. If the horn works there then there is a problem with the horn button circuit. Check for good connections on starter solenoid terminals, put a spanner on them. Check for good connections under dash at fuseholder etc. Horns draw more current than any other item in the car except for the starter motor and so require good voltage and connections. Regards, Kevin.

08-10-2019, 04:19 PM	#5
30-9 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: MA Posts: 888	Re: Horn question Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Thanks all... __________________ Thanks - 30-9 1939, 1940