I think I just fried my horns...

[boxer_inv]

Hi gents.

I think that I just made my first really bad -very very bad and terminal - mistake when working on the car...

I recently had a roadworthy inspection done for my D24 and was told that other than the brake work required, the only other issue was the intermittently working horn.

So, this morning I decided to have a look at the horn ring assembly to see why the horn only worked sometimes and not others. After trying to ascertain where on the ring the horn actually worked, and after reviewing my manual for a general overview of how the steering wheel and horn assembly went together, I set to removing it in order to see whether or not there was an issue with the contacts.

Unfortunately, I wasn't aware that when removing the horn ring assembly, the spring makes the circuit complete and therefore 'active' - in essence creating a short circuit... The horns didn't sound whilst doing this...

I was working merrily away when I smelt it...that awful smell of shorting wiring. I then saw smoke coming from the front and realised what was going on. Disconnected the battery quick-smart, but by then the damage was obviously well and truly done.

I have now disconnected and removed both of the horns from the engine bay and removed the covers. One of them is looking very, very sad indeed. There is a whole mess of melted black on the centre assembly and it looks like I've killed it. Thankfully, the other horn isn't nearly as bad and I've tried to connect it directly to the battery to see if its still got any life. The thing tries to sound, but the contact only clicks down and nothing more.

I'm dreading what you guys are about to tell me... that I've just destroyed two of the most beautiful sounding horns I've ever heard, and that there's nothing around to fix/replace them with.

I've done quite a bit of auto-electrical stuff in the past and this is the first time I've ever cooked anything - I'm devastated and really annoyed with myself.

Suggestions? Recommendations? Admonishments? Sympathy?

Anyone??!!

Rob - Australia

[Andydodge]

Rob, where are you in Oz?.........andyd

[boxer_inv]

Andyd

Up in Cairns - Far North Queensland.

[Plymouthy Adams]

in reality the horns are connected to the output of the relay..the section you were working was on the coil circuit of the relay...

the horms draw a bit of amperage..odds are when testing them you may not have had a good connection thus poor sound, no sounds or just the click...use a strong battery..most low amp chargers willnot have the juice to sound the horn....I would inverstige the area about the horn relay...

the innerside of the horm..being a mess..could just be the rubber seal where the cover is sealed against the body of the horn and not really damage..just yucky mess...

[Chester Brzostowski]

As Tim mentioned the short at the steering column really was only turning on the relay that energies the horn ckt. Your horns were probably bad to begin with so don’t blame yourself. If the horns can’t be fixed you could probably find a pair on ePay.

Good Luck, Chet…

[Norm's Coupe]

The horns can probably be fixed. They blow by vibrating little plates together when you hit the button. If you didn't weld those plates together when they were smoking, you may be able to take them apart and clean them up, then put it back together. Of course, you'll also need to adjust the plates with the screw according to the service manual.

[boxer_inv]

Guys

I think that resolving the issue with the original horns may take some time, so I'm looking for something alternative in the interim.

My question is, what type of horn could replace the originals? I'm assuming that I won't be able to just whack a 12v horn in there (not enough juice..) so I'm thinking a 6v motorcycle horn or something?

Any advice?

[Mark Haymond]

There is a set of horns for a 50 Plymouth on Ebay right now. Search for parts and accessories for 1950 Plymouth.