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Triumph TR6 - Horn not working

Hi all. For some strange reason, my horn suddenly does not work. I hot wired it and the horn itself works...nice tune. I have checked all the connections...nice and clean, plus good ground. I suspect the relay. It appears that the horn has it's very own relay...am I correct? Can anyone tell me how to test the relay?
Cheers
Pete
Pete Russell

Hi Pete,
I assume you made sure the wee wire in the spring loaded pin below the horn button is not broken. They are known to break.
Charlie
Charlie B.

Hi Pete

Looking at Dan stock schematics at http://www.advanceautowire.com/Masterman's it appears that the horn relay was introduced in 1971. The relay is on the left front fender wall and the power via the horn button is applied to terminals W1 and W2 - you could test here for continuity and if OK apply 12v to see if relay actuates.

Good luck.

Barry
BJ Quartermaine

Are you completely familiar how the grounds for that insipid horn system works?
DON KELLY

There are 2 wirews spaded to the relay. The purple seems to go to the fuse box, while the green/purple goes to the horn. And no Don I am not completely familiar with grounding????So again how do I test the relay...positive to purple and ground to green/purple?
Pete
Pete Russell

All the grounds have to be connected. There is a small ground strap at the steering coupler. Then at the end of the steering shaft there is another that grounds it to the rack. All must be functional. Another thing, the horns take a bit of power so make sure your battery is strong to test them.


DON KELLY

Here is the second one at the rack. Note ,ground connects under bolt #1 from steering knuckle above.

DON KELLY

Thanks Don. The ground at the lower streering column is good, clean, and no corosion. However the upper is questionable. I see the need for the upper, since the ground must jump the bushing. That's where it is questionable. I will make a new ground wire and connect. As to Charlie's point regards the "wee wire" I do not see a "wee wire" in there. All there is is a brass cap and a spring. Nothing protruding from the column???? Once I fix the ground, I'll report back.
Cheers
Pete
Pete Russell

Pete
Is there not a wire inside the spring joining each end ?
Charlie
Charlie B.

Be hind this there should be a connection.

DON KELLY

There is no wire in the horn button, just a spring and brass cap. I do not have a stock wheel though...it is a wood "Nardi" wheel. I have connected new grounds at the upper steering...no luck. However when I connect a ground wire from the top of the steering direct to the horn ground it works without pushing the horn button I don't understand this. I think though that the relay must be ok as the juice went through the relay. Removing the horn button, I see a galvanized plate & a smaller brass plate in the middle. There is a small hole on 1 side of the galv. plate. Could this be where a wire should come through? I can't seem to figure how the galv plate comes off though. Any suggestions.
Pete
Pete Russell

Pete does yours have the brass piece as my photo shows?
DON KELLY

Well Don, mine does not look exactly like yours. I wish I had a camera to post an image (my son borrowed it). No wire though.
Pete Russell

Check to see if you have 12v at the horn ( when you press the button you complete the circuit by grounding so the horn beeps)if you have 12v then you have an open in the grnd wire side..you'll have to start at the steering wheel and work towards the horns
Charlie
Charlie B.

The horn works by grounding out the system. With your aftermarket wheel parts are probably missing. Another 6 owner with a 69 and a different wheel also had problems.
Can't remember what he did to get it to work
DON KELLY

Don, that could be, but the fact is my horn has worked just fine ever since I bought it in 2003. It just suddenly stopped working.
Pete Russell

Pete sent you a photo, let me know if it works.
DON KELLY

Hi Pete: Not sure if things changed over the years nor what year your car is. My 76 has a "horn brush" as it is called, that makes the connection between the horn button brass and the contact point at the bottom of the "horn bush" hole? These "brushes" come in two different lengths for some reason and they do break. I've just ordered a new one myself.

If you need the wiring instructions for the horn relay (the one with all the purple wires) I'll put that up on the BBS too.

Ken
Ken Shaddock

Thanks Ken. Mine is a '74, but does not have a stock steering wheel. It is a "Nardi" wood wheel, and does not have a "brush" in the hub, rather 1 white wire to the brass plate only. Still haven't figured it out.
Pete
Pete Russell

Pete... I just received a new "brush", installed it and still no horn... so we'll have to wave at one another! Maybe next week I'll trace things down to a bad ground somewhere. Frustrating stuff this LBC wiring. Ken
Ken Shaddock

Pete promise I'll call tomorrow. Sure would like a photo.
DON KELLY

The Prince of Darkness says hello


Pete think ground.....that is what the prince is all about.

Rick

PS missed having a drive with you this summer...if you could call that summer.
Rick Crawford

Rick- He has a bad case of DPO disease.
DON KELLY

"Beep Beep m Beep...baby want to drive my car". Hey my horn works!!! Yes it was the ground accross the coupler on the steering column. Thanks Don for your help. Now I'll go for a drive up main street and beep beep all the way!!!
Cheers
Pete
Pete Russell

Dang, glad I can help. Now to repay me you can come and finish my car.

Believe it or not Rick, I'm actually working on it. I'm gun ho again. Figured out how I'm going to run the new fuel lines and what to do with the tank♦.

The new fuel line will exit the spare tire well on the passenger side and run up the right rail of the frame.
The tank will get a future return fitting and a new shut off for the feed line.

Figures out and installed the new Hyfire coil and working on a bracket for the Hyfire multi spark unit.

It's going up on stands so I can mark my O2 sensors in the headers and have the bungs welded in. and then run the fuel lines. Haven't figured if I should run hard or soft. The hard lines are smaller and
Doneasier to mount but tougher to bend.
DON KELLY

Wth that fancy tripple garage of yours Don, it is about time.....ya I know....you had another TR to play with.
Glad to hear this.

You should have put a pit in or lift Don:)

Rick
Rick Crawford

I wanted one but the ceilings are only 9'2" or so.

Though, I was just salivating over a 71 XKE for $45K.
If I sell my two and I promise to be a good boy to my wife maybe sh....

Naw,not a chance
DON KELLY

This thread was discussed between 25/09/2008 and 06/10/2008

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