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04-01-2012, 11:38 AM | #1 |
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Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Denton, Nebraska
Posts: 42
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Model A Horn Not Working
The horn on my 1930 Ford Model A is not working. I was wondering if someone could tell me if and how to bench test it. If I know its working off the car, then that will tell me that it has to be something else down the line. I have taken the horn off the car and taken it apart to clean it up. I might put a slick of paint on it to make it look better, but I need to know that it is working before I do that.
Thanks for the Help!
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From Denton, Nebraska. Andrew Kean The Car Collection -1928 Dodge Victory 6 Four Door Sedan -1930 Ford Model A Murray Town Sedan 155C -1938 Ford One Ton Express Pickup -1946 Dodge D24 Four Door Sedan -1948 Plymouth P15 Deluxe Club Coupe -1952 International Harvester L121 -1956 Plymouth P29 Savoy -1958 Ford Custom 300 -1959 Edsel Ranger Four Door Sedan -1960 Edsel Ranger Four Door Sedan -1964 Ford F100 Flareside -1965 Ford F250 Styleside |
04-01-2012, 11:51 AM | #2 |
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Join Date: May 2010
Location: Fairfax, VA
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Re: Model A Horn Not Working
Clean the commutator with a emery cloth. Check the brushes ansd brushholders. Oil the bearings and check the wire ends. Backoff the adj screw so the armature end doesn't hit the vibration plate. Power up the horn and see if the motor runs. If it is dead, do a contuniuity check on the armatrue segments. Let us know what you find out.
Clem |
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04-01-2012, 11:55 AM | #3 |
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Join Date: May 2010
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Re: Model A Horn Not Working
I have a 10 amp battery charger (on the 6 volt setting) that I use to bench test motor horns including 'A' horns. Make sure the armature commutator bars are oil free and clean and that the adjusting screw isn't too tight against the diaphram. Also lightly oil the armature felts in the base and frame - armature should turn easily by hand.
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04-01-2012, 12:59 PM | #4 |
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Location: Mpls, MN
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Re: Model A Horn Not Working
In addition to what's already been posted, when you apply 6 volts to the 2 terminals, it doesn't matter which one is positive. The horn body DOES NOT need to be grounded, as it plays NO part in the electrical circuit to run the horn motor.
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04-03-2012, 09:27 AM | #5 |
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Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Denton, Nebraska
Posts: 42
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Re: Model A Horn Not Working
I placed the two wires on the battery last night and the horns Motor did turn over. Is it suppose to make a noise from that spinning?
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From Denton, Nebraska. Andrew Kean The Car Collection -1928 Dodge Victory 6 Four Door Sedan -1930 Ford Model A Murray Town Sedan 155C -1938 Ford One Ton Express Pickup -1946 Dodge D24 Four Door Sedan -1948 Plymouth P15 Deluxe Club Coupe -1952 International Harvester L121 -1956 Plymouth P29 Savoy -1958 Ford Custom 300 -1959 Edsel Ranger Four Door Sedan -1960 Edsel Ranger Four Door Sedan -1964 Ford F100 Flareside -1965 Ford F250 Styleside |
04-03-2012, 09:30 AM | #6 |
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Location: Mpls, MN
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Re: Model A Horn Not Working
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04-04-2012, 07:21 PM | #7 |
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Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Denton, Nebraska
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Re: Model A Horn Not Working
I was able get the horn to work on the bench so I put it back on the car. I then pushed the horn button on the column and it did make noise for a second but then nothing. Does anyone know where to go next to make this thing work? The wires are connected good from the horn to the wire in the column and the wire to the starter. The horn button was getting warm after pressing on it for awhile if that explains anything.
Thanks!
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From Denton, Nebraska. Andrew Kean The Car Collection -1928 Dodge Victory 6 Four Door Sedan -1930 Ford Model A Murray Town Sedan 155C -1938 Ford One Ton Express Pickup -1946 Dodge D24 Four Door Sedan -1948 Plymouth P15 Deluxe Club Coupe -1952 International Harvester L121 -1956 Plymouth P29 Savoy -1958 Ford Custom 300 -1959 Edsel Ranger Four Door Sedan -1960 Edsel Ranger Four Door Sedan -1964 Ford F100 Flareside -1965 Ford F250 Styleside |
04-04-2012, 07:24 PM | #8 |
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Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Wahpeton, ND
Posts: 138
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Re: Model A Horn Not Working
Andrew,
You have excessive resistance in the ground circuit causing voltage drop. The warm horn button is an indicator of a poor connection. The horn circuit is not getting proper ground from the button. Pete Last edited by Steam Engine Pete; 04-04-2012 at 07:25 PM. Reason: clarify |
04-04-2012, 09:49 PM | #9 |
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Join Date: May 2010
Location: Mpls, MN
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Re: Model A Horn Not Working
Pete explained why it's getting warm. I see this happen more on repro horn buttons. In fact I don't recall having felt a warm original. I'd try pressing the button and moving it around while it's pressed to see if you can't get a better contact. That offen works on more cars than just the Model A.
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04-04-2012, 10:44 PM | #10 |
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Join Date: May 2010
Location: Cumming, Georgia
Posts: 66
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Re: Model A Horn Not Working
Andrew,
Sometimes on my '31 Tudor the horn will not work from pushing the horn button. I can usually fix the problem by removing the light switch body from the bottom of the steering column and use a Q-tip soaked in solvent to remove oil that has settled on the metal center of the bakelite swich contact. This removes the oil from the steering housing that prevents keeps the horn rod from grounding. This usually works for me; hope it does for you. Good luck! Evan Lewis |
04-05-2012, 05:23 PM | #11 | |
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Location: Stayton, Oregon
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Re: Model A Horn Not Working
Quote:
I will have to check out some of the suggestions above. Thanks.
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