Dual Horns and Engine Trouble Light

[Barry Maxwell]

I have attached a photo of the dual horn and engine trouble light on my '51 B3C. Although I am relatively new to dodge trucks, I have not seen dual horns or the trouble light. Are they options, standard, or previous owner add-ons? Many thanks.

[greg g]

horns look pretty new,12V maybe? Under hood light is cool and looks period correct. Stock horn or horns (optional) were trumpet style.

[Reg Evans]

Here is the accessory under hood light and .......some dual horns.

Dual Horns

[NiftyFifty]

My horns are not the trumpet style, but they sure look factory installed...all the holes match and the spot for the relay etc.....maye CDN models were different...

Hard to see, but hre is a shot of one of the 2

[KJ's Dodge]

My truck has dual horns. Here is another pic.

KJ

[Dave72dt]

I've seen that underhood light on other brand trucks as well. Maybe a common vendor.

[Barry Maxwell]

Thank all of you for your replies, especially Reg Evans for the photos of dual horns. Based on your input, I have concluded that the trouble light was added by a previous owner. I may, however, keep it.

As to the dual horns, they sure look like they are original as I can see no other holes where factory horn(s) were (ala 4mula-dlx). However, I suspect that they were also added previously. I will, however, keep them. I like the way they look, and they sure are LOUD!

Thanks again guys.

[ggdad1951]

my old high school car got a second horn added by me for the two tone sound and yes, I can understand the desire to keep them!

[NiftyFifty]

I'm actually really glad mine didn't come with the trumpet horns...not a fan of the look or the space they take up....although the one on mine is just for show...it has a dead short in it somwhere and when connected trips the relay.

[Barry Maxwell]

Although I am a long way from getting into the engine campartment to remove and restore the components, I would like to replace the horn relay. Does anyone know if and where I can get a replacement? I would like to get it now (while I'm thinking of it) and have it on my shelf when I eventually restore the horns. Thanks.

[Dodgeb4ya]

Although I am a long way from getting into the engine campartment to remove and restore the components, I would like to replace the horn relay. Does anyone know if and where I can get a replacement? I would like to get it now (while I'm thinking of it) and have it on my shelf when I eventually restore the horns. Thanks.

On the trucks with single horns no relay is necessary-nor did they come with one.

Bob

[Reg Evans]

Hey Bob, Do you have any photos of the factory dual horn setup you can post here?

[Dodgeb4ya]

Hey Bob, Do you have any photos of the factory dual horn setup you can post here?

Reg,

Those dual horns are one of the factory Dodge truck items I have never had the pleasure of owning!

Bob

[Merle Coggins]

I'm actually really glad mine didn't come with the trumpet horns...not a fan of the look or the space they take up....although the one on mine is just for show...it has a dead short in it somwhere and when connected trips the relay.

??????? If the relay trips (activates the coil and closes the contacts) then you are connecting it wrong. The horn should be connected to the output of the relay. The input terminal is connected to a power source. And the horn button provides the ground to "trip" the relay.

If the terminals of the relay aren't marked you can figure it out with a volt/ohm meter and a couple of jumper wires. First use the Ohm function of your meter and check between two terminals, trying different combinations. You should find 2 terminals that show resistance (probably between 15 and 35 ohms). These two are the coil terminals. Now you need to find which one should be "hot" and which one is "ground". Assuming it's a 3 terminal relay, the output connects to the "hot" when it trips. Use your jumper wires and connect the coil terminals to a hot source and a ground to make it click (trip). Now use the volt function of the meter to see if you have voltage at the output terminal. If not, reverse the jumper wires and try again. Once you have it all figured out mark the terminals or draw a map to remember which one is which and wire it up to the horn again.

[NiftyFifty]

All that writing...no need...

The horns are wired correct, but once you honk them a couple of times the one horn either seizes a contact or "welds" itself in some funny way and back feeds into the relay. When I purchased the truck they had the one already disconnected so I re-connected after I re-wired and now I see why it was off in the first place. Once the "trip" happens you have to disconnect the power to the relay for a few moments and un-hook the other horn and then you can go back to using the one.....took about 30 mins of test light etc to figure that one out.

??????? If the relay trips (activates the coil and closes the contacts) then you are connecting it wrong. The horn should be connected to the output of the relay. The input terminal is connected to a power source. And the horn button provides the ground to "trip" the relay.

If the terminals of the relay aren't marked you can figure it out with a volt/ohm meter and a couple of jumper wires. First use the Ohm function of your meter and check between two terminals, trying different combinations. You should find 2 terminals that show resistance (probably between 15 and 35 ohms). These two are the coil terminals. Now you need to find which one should be "hot" and which one is "ground". Assuming it's a 3 terminal relay, the output connects to the "hot" when it trips. Use your jumper wires and connect the coil terminals to a hot source and a ground to make it click (trip). Now use the volt function of the meter to see if you have voltage at the output terminal. If not, reverse the jumper wires and try again. Once you have it all figured out mark the terminals or draw a map to remember which one is which and wire it up to the horn again.

[HanksB3B]

have an adjustment screw and a lock nut. That's all it is,

Hank

[Merle Coggins]

All that writing...no need...

The horns are wired correct, but once you honk them a couple of times the one horn either seizes a contact or "welds" itself in some funny way and back feeds into the relay. When I purchased the truck they had the one already disconnected so I re-connected after I re-wired and now I see why it was off in the first place. Once the "trip" happens you have to disconnect the power to the relay for a few moments and un-hook the other horn and then you can go back to using the one.....took about 30 mins of test light etc to figure that one out.

OK then, I'll take your word that it's wires right. However, your discription still doesn't make any sense to me and my electrical knowledge. It sounds to me that possibly your horns are drawing too much current for the relay and the contacts in the relay are over heating and sticking themselves together. When you disconnect the power they'll cool down and seperate again. Maybe it is because of a faulty horn or maybe the relay is rated too light. Anyway, you'd know better than me since you did the extensive testing and I have no reason to doubt your mechanical ability. I can only speculate based on your discription.

Merle