The Ford Barn

Tatanka · 11-12-2013, 04:33 PM

The horn on my friend's '31 Deluxe Roadster was not working so I pulled it off and cleaned up the armature, brushes, etc. and blew it out well. Once installed it now runs continuously, without pushing the button on the steering wheel.

If I switch the wires, it just smolders.... The good news is that the horn does make sound now!

Is there any other explanation than a stuck horn button, even though it seems to work like normal? How can I remove the button to check/clean/adjust the contacts?

Thanks for your advice.

CarlG · 11-12-2013, 04:41 PM

Sounds like the horn is internally grounded somehow. Perhaps upon re-assembly? You could check that by removing it from the light bar and just holding it in your hand while connecting the "hot" wire, but not the wire that goes to the horn button. If it doesn't make sound then, touch the mounting bracket to a ground. If it starts up, it's internally grounded. If it doesn't start, connect the horn button wire. If it starts up then, the short is between the horn and the button.

700rpm · 11-12-2013, 09:11 PM

There are insulating washers on either side of the brushes and those need to be in place.

heneste · 11-13-2013, 12:36 PM

Also you can check your light switch ball at the end of the steering column. If the spring clip is not holding the ball straight on the column you can sometimes have full contact on the horn circuit.

Tatanka · 11-13-2013, 11:21 PM

Appreciate the feedback. The insulating washers are correctly installed between the brush holders and the bracket, but one thing was changed from original: I dropped and couldn't find one of the small bolts that hold the brush holder to the bracket and replaced it with one from my shop. So, are those original small bolts non-conductive metal? If not, I don't see the point of the insulating washers. If so, that's where it is off, since the one I used as a replacement is steel. Thanks.

Tom Wesenberg · 11-15-2013, 07:12 PM

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Runs all the time
Switching wires = smoke
This tells me you are missing one of the insulating washers for the brush holders. You MUST have a cupped insulating washer under the head of each brush screw and another flat insulating washer between the brush holder and steel frame.

Also make sure the cover screw isn't so long that it touches the brush holder.

insomniacshotrods · 11-15-2013, 10:57 PM

Or that the cover is on too tight. I over tightened mine when reassembling and it lite off scaring the crap out of me. After a few seconds i was able to gain composer and think to back out the screw some,shutting off the very loud horn. Hard to hit the screw hole when you shaking ha.

11-12-2013, 04:33 PM	#1
Tatanka Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Dellwood, Minnesota Posts: 21	'31 Horn. The horn on my friend's '31 Deluxe Roadster was not working so I pulled it off and cleaned up the armature, brushes, etc. and blew it out well. Once installed it now runs continuously, without pushing the button on the steering wheel. If I switch the wires, it just smolders.... The good news is that the horn does make sound now! Is there any other explanation than a stuck horn button, even though it seems to work like normal? How can I remove the button to check/clean/adjust the contacts? Thanks for your advice.

11-12-2013, 04:41 PM	#2
CarlG Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Anchorage, Alaska Posts: 9,115	Re: '31 Horn. Sounds like the horn is internally grounded somehow. Perhaps upon re-assembly? You could check that by removing it from the light bar and just holding it in your hand while connecting the "hot" wire, but not the wire that goes to the horn button. If it doesn't make sound then, touch the mounting bracket to a ground. If it starts up, it's internally grounded. If it doesn't start, connect the horn button wire. If it starts up then, the short is between the horn and the button. __________________ Alaskan A's Antique Auto Mushers of Alaska Model A Ford Club of America Model A Restorers Club Antique Automobile Club of America Mullins Owner's Club

11-12-2013, 09:11 PM	#3
700rpm Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 5,906	Re: '31 Horn. There are insulating washers on either side of the brushes and those need to be in place. __________________ Ray Horton, Portland, OR As you go through life, keep your eye on the donut, not the hole.

11-13-2013, 12:36 PM	#4
heneste Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Ottawa,Ontario, Canada Posts: 271	Re: '31 Horn. Also you can check your light switch ball at the end of the steering column. If the spring clip is not holding the ball straight on the column you can sometimes have full contact on the horn circuit.

11-13-2013, 11:21 PM	#5
Tatanka Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Dellwood, Minnesota Posts: 21	Re: '31 Horn. Appreciate the feedback. The insulating washers are correctly installed between the brush holders and the bracket, but one thing was changed from original: I dropped and couldn't find one of the small bolts that hold the brush holder to the bracket and replaced it with one from my shop. So, are those original small bolts non-conductive metal? If not, I don't see the point of the insulating washers. If so, that's where it is off, since the one I used as a replacement is steel. Thanks.

11-15-2013, 07:12 PM	#6
Tom Wesenberg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 27,582	Re: '31 Horn. Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Runs all the time Switching wires = smoke This tells me you are missing one of the insulating washers for the brush holders. You MUST have a cupped insulating washer under the head of each brush screw and another flat insulating washer between the brush holder and steel frame. Also make sure the cover screw isn't so long that it touches the brush holder. Last edited by Tom Wesenberg; 11-15-2013 at 11:47 PM.

11-15-2013, 10:57 PM	#7
insomniacshotrods Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Carthage, Missouri Posts: 267	Re: '31 Horn. Or that the cover is on too tight. I over tightened mine when reassembling and it lite off scaring the crap out of me. After a few seconds i was able to gain composer and think to back out the screw some,shutting off the very loud horn. Hard to hit the screw hole when you shaking ha.