Horns Sound Like Dying Geese

[J_C]

My horns are crappy and intermittant. I hold down the button and they'll go on and off. Sometimes they wont go on at all unless I jiggle the button.

I think it's a contact issue. If I kind of tilt the button as I'm pressing it then they're fine. Anyone have any advice on what to look for? I took the backing of the assembly off but I can't get to the horn connection or switch because I'm afraid to pry the turn signal button off

[Randy Knowlton]

I'll bet it is just a contact issue, I had the same problem. I beleive there is a small access hole below the button, if you push in a small nail, etc the button should release.

[Buddy]

I took the switch appart on my 81 850L without prying off the turn signal/head light dimmer button. The button comes out to the outside buy turning it 90 degrees after the switch is removed from the inside. Be very carefull, the small springs that return the button to center may fall out. Use white lube to hold them in place when you put it back together. Hope that helps.
Buddy

[J_C]

I took the switch appart on my 81 850L without prying off the turn signal/head light dimmer button. The button comes out to the outside buy turning it 90 degrees after the switch is removed from the inside. Be very carefull, the small springs that return the button to center may fall out. Use white lube to hold them in place when you put it back together. Hope that helps.
Buddy

It does... thank you both. BUddy... what do you mean by removing the switch from the inside?

[Buddy]

If i remember correctly the switch is held to the cover by two screws on the inside.

[J_C]

Here's the back with the back of the horn switch pointed out....

[J_C]

And here's the front... is this the same as yours? I can't seem to find the screws youre mentioning

[Poot]

or you could replace it with the magnum blasters.



\\/



poot

[J_C]

Even with new horns I still need a button that works

[Jethro]

I'll bet it is just a contact issue, I had the same problem. I beleive there is a small access hole below the button, if you push in a small nail, etc the button should release.

I have a needle file that I run up in that hole every so often to clean up the brass on the thumb button and the contact. But even with a perfect contact the horns still sounded like dying geese. New horns along with new wiring to the switch fixed the problem.

[Planecrazy]

New horns along with new wiring to the switch fixed the problem.

...and finally -- there's the "key phrase" I was looking for in this thread ... "new wiring!"

In past threads on this topic, it's often been brought up that corrosion in the wiring will almost always account for poor horn performance, even with clean switch contacts. A popular mod for this problem is to install heavier gauge wire direct from the fuse box (or battery with an inline fuse) to the horns, and then use the wiring from the switch (original or new) to trigger a relay. That way the horns receive a nice solid current regardless of the status of the wiring harness.

One more side note ... if you've cleaned your contacts, replaced the horns, and still get a weak blast, chances are the entire wiring harness is suffering corrosion problems ... not just the horn wires. If this is the case you could be looking at other failures, as well as poor performance from the rest of the electrical system. Time to seriously consider replacing ALL the wiring.

You can thank me later for spreading all the "good cheer!" :shock:;-)

If it makes you feel any better, I'm looking at the same issues on my bike right now...

Regards,

[J_C]

Hehe, thanks.

The reason why I don't think it's the wiring is because I can duplicate the problem at the switch... If I push the button straight in, nothing happens. But if I push it in, and also kind of angle it down towards the ground as I push, then the horns blow. That's what makes me think it is a contact issue.

I still can't figure out how to remove the horn button :/

[tconroy]

Hehe, thanks.

The reason why I don't think it's the wiring is because I can duplicate the problem at the switch... If I push the button straight in, nothing happens. But if I push it in, and also kind of angle it down towards the ground as I push, then the horns blow. That's what makes me think it is a contact issue.

I still can't figure out how to remove the horn button :/

I rigged up a horn button right in front of the box to pass inspection but also want to try to use the real horn button.The p.o. I bought my bike from lived in Kansas and they dont have to inspect bikes over there so the horn was not working when I bought it.The only problem is the horn button is not user friendly but you guys gave me so help anyway.i dont want to hijack the thread but can you take off the housing without anything falling out like springs and things?

[J_C]

I took off the housing back and nothing fell out. But apparently if I ever get the button out a spring will pop out as well. As soon as I figure out how to do that I'll let you know

[Dink]

You need to remove the circuit board on the inside of the switchblock ( take care, springs etc in there!!!) then the horn contacts will be obvious.

Dink