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Horn Wiring/circuitry

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by radshooter, Apr 9, 2018.

  1. Apr 9, 2018
    radshooter

    radshooter Member

    Northwest Kansas
    Joined:
    Jan 10, 2014
    Messages:
    191
    I think my next project on the no budget-no garage jeep is going to be the horn.

    When I took the old horn off and jumpered it directly to the battery it was dead. Nothing, not even a peep.

    I also discovered there is constant power to the horn leads where the horn used to be. When I plug in my test light it lights up, even though the horn button is not depressed.

    Am I correct in that the horn button completes the circuit and that activates the horn? There should only be power to horn when the button is pressed? If this is true then it sounds like there is a short in the horn button assembly somewhere. Correct?

    I have a button rebuild kit but wanted to be sure that was the problem before I started tearing into stuff.

    Thanks,
    Steve
     
    radshooter, Apr 9, 2018
    #1
  2. Apr 9, 2018
    Focker

    Focker That's a terrible idea...What time? Staff Member

    WA
    Joined:
    Aug 18, 2014
    Messages:
    7,540
    There is always 12 volt power to the horn. The horn is activated when the neg/ground wire makes contact to ground/chassis (typically through the horn button).

    Also, the back of the stock horn has an adjustment screw. Supply power to the horn and ground it to the battery (neg) and mess with that screw, tap on the horn see what happens?

    Be prepared to bump your head when startled.
     
    Focker, Apr 9, 2018
    #2
  3. Apr 9, 2018
    radshooter

    radshooter Member

    Northwest Kansas
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    Jan 10, 2014
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    191
    Thanks Focker...I will check it out.
     
    radshooter, Apr 9, 2018
    #3
  4. Apr 9, 2018
    Focker

    Focker That's a terrible idea...What time? Staff Member

    WA
    Joined:
    Aug 18, 2014
    Messages:
    7,540
    (y)
     
    Focker, Apr 9, 2018
    #4
  5. Apr 9, 2018
    radshooter

    radshooter Member

    Northwest Kansas
    Joined:
    Jan 10, 2014
    Messages:
    191
    Got the horn off and jumpered both terminals straight to the battery. Nothing. I gave it some serious whacks with the back of a wire brush. Nothing. I didn't find any adjustment screws. The closest I found was a small knob that looks like it would take a torx socket to turn. I tried to turn it with a pair of pliers but it was solid and I didn't want to mangle it.

    The horn is a Sparton model SA with numbers that look like 322 stamped below the model. Is this an original horn? I have pics on my phone if I can figure out how to upload them. I keep hearing about this thing called Beamingpix that gets good reviews :D Maybe I will check it out.

    Time for an aftermarket horn?
     
    radshooter, Apr 9, 2018
    #5
  6. Apr 9, 2018
    Twin2

    Twin2 not him 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Virginia Beach, VA
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    aftermarket horns are cheap . high and low . you'll need a horn relay
    now you could pay 40 bucks for a beep beep horn . no relay required :D
    CAM00431.jpg
     
    Twin2, Apr 9, 2018
    #6
  7. Apr 9, 2018
    Beach66Bum

    Beach66Bum 1966 Tuxedo Park Mark IV 2024 Sponsor

    Big Island on...
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    Oct 30, 2015
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    I have a vintage Delco Remy horn. I like the sound....jeep jeep :D
     
    Beach66Bum, Apr 9, 2018
    #7
    Rick Whitson likes this.
  8. Apr 9, 2018
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Hills of NH
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    Original horns are desirable, I believe.

    Making the adjustment can be weird.
    You need full voltage and plenty of it, well gounded. And how the horn is anchored can make a difference - they need the freedom to vibrate.
     
    PeteL, Apr 9, 2018
    #8
    Hellion likes this.
  9. Apr 9, 2018
    Howard Eisenhauer

    Howard Eisenhauer Administrator Staff Member

    Tantallon, Nova...
    Joined:
    Nov 22, 2003
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    8,124
    There used to be a nice page on rebuilding jeep horns but it seems to have gone away :(

    Basically there's a coil inside the horn hooked up to the diaphragm that ppulls the diaphragm in when power is applied. There's also a contact hooked to the diaphragm as well that is normally closed, when the diaphragm moves in the contact opens killing the juice to the coil allowing the diaphragm to move back closing the contact pulling the diaphragm in- repeat as needed a few hundred times a second. Either your contacts are dirty or the coil is fried- you'll have to open it up to tell which.

    The adjustment you couldn't move is for setting the contact- there's a very narrow range that works.

    There's some posts on g503 about this:

    6 volt horn - G503 Military Vehicle Message Forums
     
    Howard Eisenhauer, Apr 9, 2018
    #9
  10. Apr 9, 2018
    Daryl

    Daryl Sponsor

    Bonney Lake, WA
    Joined:
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    2,882
    Very common for a 6 volt horn to make one last screeching death wail when hooked to 12 volts. Truly a sad sound.
     
    Daryl, Apr 9, 2018
    #10
  11. Apr 9, 2018
    Bowbender

    Bowbender I'm workin' on it!

    Northern Minn.
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    Nov 14, 2014
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    561
    :rofl:
     
    Bowbender, Apr 9, 2018
    #11
  12. Apr 9, 2018
    radshooter

    radshooter Member

    Northwest Kansas
    Joined:
    Jan 10, 2014
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    Thanks everyone.. I took a better look at mine after I got it off and the diaphragm appears to be cracked and rotted in multiple places. I think it is a lost cause.
     
    radshooter, Apr 9, 2018
    #12
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