Another horn issue, my first though and I need help ASAP!

[Mac2Night]

Needing some help to sort out a horn issue on my '73 that has me puzzled. So here is the background:

- Horned button retainer ring was broken when I bought the truck so horn was unplugged under hood;
- Just got a new retainer ring and installed it, cleaned the contacts and put horn ring in wheel;
- Connected horn and horn worked!

THEN

- Driven today, horn tooted fine but then stopped working;
- Checked everything and determined that the horn was dead;
- Took horn off my '71 EB and when I connected the Blue/Yellow horn wire that I had just unplugged, the horn CONTINUOSLY BLEW..... Nothing changed other than the horns used, SO WHAT'S THE DEAL????

Any help (in simple sentences) is greatly appreciated! ;D

 

[Viperwolf1]

Take a look at the switch.

 

[Hozr]

Is it run through a relay? If not you need to add one if so replace it.

 

[Bronco717274]

Has to be shorted under button that's what makes the conection.

 

[Mac2Night]

Viper, what part of the system (horn, wiring, contacts, horn button, ect.) is the SWITCH?

No relay, pre-relay model. I bought one (3 posts on it but no markings or instructions) so I hesitate to try and connect it.

More help please! ;D;D;D

 

[ilovemaui]

I have a set of def horns on mine.

 

[Viperwolf1]

Switch is contacts at steering wheel.

 

[Mac2Night]

Viper, thanks for the clarification on the switch. I have hooked everything up in the horn button and on the wheel like it came out and like Tom's Bronco Parts display online (see photos below) but upon closer inspection and after info from you guys, I noticed a "black" mark on the contact plate/horn cushion retainer where they contact one another(metal to metal). This is how the diagram on Tom's site shows them but it appears the metal to metal contact may be completing the "circuit/switch" causing the horn to blow when plugged up under the hood. IDEAS?

Need to get this hooked up right ASAP. Thanks,
Mac

Switch is contacts at steering wheel.

 

[Bronco717274]

Isn't there a spring supposed to go under there to hold it off the contacts until you push it?

 

[Mac2Night]

Sorry, yeah I am using the spring too (just not pictured)....

Isn't there a spring supposed to go under there to hold it off the contacts until you push it?

 

[Bronco717274]

could just be me but something in pic 4 doesn't look right. Try putting your horn button on but leave out the spring, just hold up on it with your hand. If it doesn't blow know until you push down, then the problem is in the part screwed to the column and the spring is whats making contact. I hope I said this right I can see it in my head just having trouble saying it.

 

[Mac2Night]

bump......

 

[Viperwolf1]

Does the horn still blow with the contact button off? If it does the problem is deeper into the column.

 

[Hozr]

No relay, pre-relay model. I bought one (3 posts on it but no markings or instructions) so I hesitate to try and connect

that doesn't sound right but I'm not sure without seeing it. It should have 4 posts minimum (spst)

The connections would be ground (86) and +12 (85) from horn button. fused +12 (30) from battery and output (87). You don't need 87a.

http://www.the12volt.com/relays/relays.asp

 

[Mac2Night]

Don't know yet, had to go to work and could mess with it this morning. Will check after 6pm and report back!

Does the horn still blow with the contact button off? If it does the problem is deeper into the column.

 

[Mac2Night]

Thanks Hozr! I think mine is a 3 post, but it may be a 4 post (it is an original replacement).

Mac

that doesn't sound right but I'm not sure without seeing it. It should have 4 posts minimum (spst)

The connections would be ground (86) and +12 (85) from horn button. fused +12 (30) from battery and output (87). You don't need 87a.

http://www.the12volt.com/relays/relays.asp

 

[surfer-b]

No relay, pre-relay model. I bought one (3 posts on it but no markings or instructions) so I hesitate to try and connect it.

More help please!

For the models with relays they are only 3 post, one post is a hot from the starter sol. to the relay-Yel, One post a Yel/Grn wire to the horn and the 3rd post a Blk/Yel from the horn button, the horn button just supplies a grnd for the relay. I have not looked at the earlier Yr Broncos so I'm not sure if the horn button just supplies a grnd or a hot wire to the horn.
Get a voltmeter and see if one of those prongs is hot at all times and let us know, unless what Viper posted about it blowing without the button on the steering wheel, then, like he said its somewhere farther down the path.

 

[Bronco717274]

I think it supplies a hot sense the horn itself is ground to the truck.

 

[Mac2Night]

Crisis averted......

Okay, I am never to big to admit denseness, I had totally forgotten to put the SPRING in the horn button when I re-installed it so contacts were touching with no tension pushing them apart.

Hooked up with the spring installed and working like a charm! Thanks to all who offered insight.

 

[Bronco717274]

It's always the simple stuff that takes the longest, Congrats and good detective work.