1940 horn problems

[mike42]

Horn stopped working all of a sudden. Bought new relay and hooked it up. Still not working. Jumped the horns and they do work, so it's the steering column wire or new relay is bad. My question is how to test the relay without frying something ? It still may be a bad column wire too.

Thx......Mike

[19Fordy]

Mike: Assuming you have the correct voltage relay, this will help. You don't need the volt meter shown in the video. If the relay clicks, it's working.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3JB63ebFfgU
Also, check out www.watsons-streetworks.com and give them a call. I just installed one of their relays (#L07-80 80 amp relay) for my headlights and it works fine. System has been converted to 12V. DISCONNECT YOUR BATTERY WHEN WORKING WITH ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. The 40 horn wire is easily removed. Use a steering wheel puller to remove your steering wheel and pull the horn wire out. Check it for continuity and inspect all contact points under the horn button and spring.

[rotorwrench]

You can try jumpering the "S" terminal to ground and see if that makes it work. If it does, you can start on the horn button system to find out why it isn't grounding properly when you push it.

[Kube]

You don't need to remove the steering wheel to remove the wire...

[19Fordy]

Originally Posted by Kube

You don't need to remove the steering wheel to remove the wire...

Mike, thanks for the correction.
You are correct.

[mike42]

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OK guys thx.....I took out the button and pulled wire up through the column. Checking it over now and also looking to see if everything is clean, etc. I'll jump the "S" to ground shortly. Later.....

Thx !!

[mike42]

Well......I jumped the "S" wire to the frame and those two horns hit their high note and I almost pissed my pants. I thought it would be a clicking sound ! Damn those horns are sweet, but not when you and 12" from them. Got everything put back together and nothing ! So.....I'm buying a new steering column wire and see if that works.

Thx

Mike

[V8COOPMAN]

Mike...You do understand that pushing the horn button merely GROUNDS the wire running up the column from that same "S" terminal. Have you checked the top end of that wire to see if you have voltage available at the button end? Maybe your button is not completing the ground. DD

[mike42]

Coop .....I really don't know much about electricity. The work I've done on the car came from guys here telling me what to do ! I ordered the new wire and if that does not work I'll go to step #2 whatever that is ! It was working great and then just stopped !

[mike42]

Other than the wire and bell plus spring and horn button....is there anything else that is missing that would have made the horn stop working ? I've tested the relay and it works.

Could the metal on the horn button not be making contact with something ?

Thx....this is driving me nuts !

Mike

[rotorwrench]

THis thread might help.
https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showth...ht=horn+button

[mike42]

Rotor thx !

[Bob G/Spanaway]

The spring under the horn button completes the circuit when you hit the button.
I've had trouble with bad connections at both ends of the spring.
I had to clean up the spring ends and the button and wheel where contact is made.
Seems like I have to do this every couple years.

[mike42]

Bob G...I'll sand paper the areas.

Thx

[mike42]

Finally got the new wire and stamped bell this afternoon and it works ! Good grief after all this time. Thx for the info help.

Mike