Horns/electrical question

[Guest]

I just re-connected the horns after removing the wiring harness and cleaning everything up and they do not work. I tested the wires and here is what I found:

With ignition off there is no power to either of the wires
With ignition on there is power to BOTH wires (the green/orange and the green one)
With ignition on pressing the horn button has no effect.

With my limited electrical knowledge I thought that the horn button closed the circuit when pressed and that is how the horns worked but I am confused as to why I have power in the green wire when the button is not pressed.

Is there something I am missing?

Thanks,

Raz

[rustybronco]

I don't have a wiring diagram at the moment, but power should go to the horn, then through the horn and grounded by the switch.
that would be why, you have power showing on both sides of the horn.

[Steve]

Rusty is right, the horn button connects the horns to GROUND. So, until the button is pushed and the ground connection is established, you will see power on both of the horn terminals. That at least shows you that there is continuity through the horn coil. My guess is that you need to clean the contacts on the horn button itself and make sure that the switch housing clamps down on the handlebar adequately to get a good connection.

.

[razooki]

Thanks Steve I thought it might be the button itself but I'm a bit aprehensive about taking it appart. Last time I did it I was looking for springs in the garage for a good half hour. I still think I'm missing one!!

[duaneage]

Also you can test the ground of the horn button too. Even with a good button, if the ground tab isn't on bare metal it won't work. This happens with painted handlebar swaps.

[lucabond]

Take the wire that shows battery voltage with the key on and connect it to the horn. Then ground the other side of the horn with a jumper wire and the horn should sound if it is ok. Now take the other wire and connect 1 lead from your meter to it on ohm setting and the other meter lead to ground and hit the horn button it should go from infininty to a dead shout as you hit the button if the button is good.
You should be able to tell if its the horn or the switch circut with these test, good luck.

[razooki]

I figured it out! I took the switch apart and found out that when I put it back together the last time I put the small copper cap on the wrong end of the button spring (instead of putting it on the button with the spring on top I put it on top of the spring). They work fine now.

Thanks for all the help,

[Black 550 L]

Ok I need help with a horn problem. I just put a 82 850G in the fleet and the horns do not work. I have read the previous thread and it sounds like there are suppose to be springs in the horn button switch. When I took it apart I did not find any are there suppose to be. I have voltage to the horns just no honk. Also it has two horns if this makes a difference.

[Black 550 L]

never mind I found the problem both horns were bad swapped with the one on the 550 works perfect.

[Arkmage]

Ok I need help with a horn problem. I just put a 82 850G in the fleet and the horns do not work. I have read the previous thread and it sounds like there are suppose to be springs in the horn button switch. When I took it apart I did not find any are there suppose to be. I have voltage to the horns just no honk. Also it has two horns if this makes a difference.

How long has your bike been sitting? It's not uncommon for the diaphragm (they operate like an audio speaker) to seize up over time. Both of the horns on mine are also seized after being parked for 8 years. They're getting replaced with a stebble nautilus.