Horn Problem! Odd

[Iceworx]

I'm havin a bit of an odd problem with my horn.

I've connected a multi meter to the terminals, and with the ignition on, and pressing the horn button, i see 12v at the terminals...


Easy I thought, duff unit, swap the horn. So I put a new one on it. and nothing.. still no beep.

So I thought maybe its a duff new unit, so quick wire to battery and it sounded.

I'm now at a bit of a loss, can anyone throw me any suggestions as to what or where to try next please?

[Red Westie]

You have a feed but do you have an adequate earth? and it the brass sprung terminal soundly touching the horn ring?

Martin

[Iceworx]

As far as im aware yes, I'll double check it later tonight

[Oldiebut goodie]

Surely if you are seeing 12v at both terminals on the horn it means that the circuit is not complete - ie the earth is faulty.

[Iceworx]

I thought one of the terminals would be negative?

as per standard 12v, one negative, one positive?

[Oldiebut goodie]

It should be but you said:
"I've connected a multi meter to the terminals, and with the ignition on, and pressing the horn button, i see 12v at the terminals..."
hence
Surely if you are seeing 12v at both terminals on the horn it means that the circuit is not complete - ie the earth is faulty.

[SyncroSwede]

The way I understood it, he put the multimeter leads on where the horn connects, ie one on the +ve and one on the -ve so the meter reads what the horn is getting.

I would go with the earth connection too as a likely fault.

[Iceworx]

Absolutly right SyncroSwede..

Will check and clean up the earth when i find it tonight..

[Bowton Lad]

Remove the plastic shroud surrounding the steering column. The earth connection (spade type) is about 3/4 the way down the column on the r/h side. This connection often works loose or comes off altogether.

[collins_sh]

the horn needs a fair bit of voltage to go off. in my wagon i couldn't figure out what the problem was as the horn would work sometimes and not at other times.
the horn will not work or very rarely when my lights are on, as this probably reduces the voltage on the system. Bear this in mind.

i should change the battery and have a look at the alternator in my own though.

[Iceworx]

Remove the plastic shroud surrounding the steering column. The earth connection (spade type) is about 3/4 the way down the column on the r/h side. This connection often works loose or comes off altogether.

Thanks fella, will check it out tonight..

[Iceworx]

the horn needs a fair bit of voltage to go off. in my wagon i couldn't figure out what the problem was as the horn would work sometimes and not at other times.
the horn will not work or very rarely when my lights are on, as this probably reduces the voltage on the system. Bear this in mind.

i should change the battery and have a look at the alternator in my own though.

Battery is 3 weeks old, and alternator is putting out 14.1v

[Rozzo]

both terminals should show 12v to earth,, the 12v goes through the horn and the horn switch earths it out to complete the circuit.

[Iceworx]

Sorted now thanks guys.

FYI it was not the earth terminal on the column, but the connection under the switch to the column, seemed to have worked loose, and was not giving a solid connection.