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1960 CJ5 horn question

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by Jake CJ5, Jun 3, 2011.

  1. Jake CJ5

    Jake CJ5 Member

    The steering column button appears to be making contact. The horn is mounted on the fender well sitting on a bracket and I think its original with two wires. The sound of the horn sounds more like a squeak. Are these horns adjustable? The back of the horn has a nut and a turn-out screw. I can put up a photo if thats helpful. I thought I would ask first.
    Thank you.
     
  2. Twin2

    Twin2 not him 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    yes that is the adjuster - sometimes that will help
     
  3. nickmil

    nickmil In mothballs.

    Double check your voltage to the horn and the ground. Dirty contacts in the button or poor connections can reduce voltage and cause a weak horn as can a weak ground. Also check for debris in the horn
     
  4. Jake CJ5

    Jake CJ5 Member

    Yes I have current. At the horn button the ground wire was cut so I added one. Shined up the terminal posts, nuts and connecter spades at the horn. Center adjuster turned all the way in than made small turns out while pushing horn button. Still making the same sound. To the right of the center adjuster there is a flat head screw that turns in and out and I tryed that also. The horn is riveted. Open for sugestions.
    Thank you.
     
  5. timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    If it won't run directly off a battery, and the adjustment screw does nothing, then you may as well drill out the rivets and take it apart. Or replace it.

    Depending on my mood, I'd do one or the other.
     
  6. nickmil

    nickmil In mothballs.

    You say you have current but how much? Should have battery voltage or close to it checked with a voltmeter. If there is a voltage drop anywhere in the circuit that will cause this problem. If that does check ok and the ground checks ok (again with a meter, check resistance) then I'd look at adjusting or taking the horn apart or replacing it.
     
  7. CJ5aTim

    CJ5aTim 66 Tux

    I have had luck in the past with placing a little lite oil in the horn and rotating it til it gets to the middle...saved a horn on a 66 mustang this way. I try the simple stuff first, it sometimes work...
     
  8. Jake CJ5

    Jake CJ5 Member

    I'll check that voltage this afternoon, thank you.
     
    Last edited: Jun 5, 2011
  9. Jake CJ5

    Jake CJ5 Member

    The horn itself, under the hood or the horn button?
    Thank you
     
  10. CJ5aTim

    CJ5aTim 66 Tux

    horn itself. If that is what's the problem.......
     
  11. Red

    Red Member

    Is it possible the the metal plate under the horn button is filthy, or the contact made by the steering colum to the horn button (or plate), or the little nub that's at the center of the steering colum. As a previous poster suggested, apply battery power directly to the horn, it works or it doesn't will cut your diagnostics in half.
     
  12. Jake CJ5

    Jake CJ5 Member

    I don't have any loose wire around so I'll have to pick some up to go directly from the battery to the horn. I have 12.48 volts at the horn. Facing the back of the horn the + terminal is on the left correct? There is a single wire going up the steering colum to a GTI steering wheel. At the back of the horn button I have 12.48 volts. So I guess the next step is to pick apart the horn button. I also tryed the oil suggestion on the adustment screw in the horn.
     
  13. nickmil

    nickmil In mothballs.

    12.48 volts to the horn indicates either a ground issue or the horn itself.
     
  14. Jake CJ5

    Jake CJ5 Member

    Those volt readings are battery direct engine off, with engine running more like 13.6 volts or higher as I recall. Not sure if that makes a difference.
     
  15. nickmil

    nickmil In mothballs.

    12.48 volts is more than enough to run the horn with no issues. Check the ground or the horn itself.