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shizam Samba Member
Joined: December 26, 2018 Posts: 82 Location: Oakland, CA
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Posted: Sun May 05, 2019 1:39 pm Post subject: Horn doesn't meep but has power? |
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Hi all,
Trying to diagnose why my horn won't meep and am stumped, if I depress the horn button at the wheel and measure voltage at the horn terminals I see 12.58v, so the horn for sure is getting power. If I plug the (brand new) horn directly into the battery I get a "meep!". But if I plug the horn into the terminals: no meep.
Fuse is fine too, seems like it should work but no "meep". |
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Glenn Mr. 010
Joined: December 25, 2001 Posts: 76762 Location: Sneaking up behind you
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Posted: Sun May 05, 2019 1:42 pm Post subject: Re: Horn doesn't meep but has power? |
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Dirty ground. _________________ Glenn
74 Beetle Specs | 74 Beetle Restoration | 2180cc Engine
"You may not get what you pay for, but you always pay for what you get"
Member #1009
#BlueSquare |
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Ahwahnee Samba Member
Joined: June 05, 2010 Posts: 9776 Location: Mt Lemmon, AZ
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Posted: Sun May 05, 2019 1:42 pm Post subject: Re: Horn doesn't meep but has power? |
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As best I recall, the horn always gets power - depressing the horn button on the steering wheel provides a ground causing the beep.
So - it is the ground side you want to be checking. |
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shizam Samba Member
Joined: December 26, 2018 Posts: 82 Location: Oakland, CA
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Posted: Sun May 05, 2019 1:45 pm Post subject: Re: Horn doesn't meep but has power? |
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Beat me to it, I just went outside and ran a wire from the ground terminal directly to the battery ground and it "meep"ed. So now to track down why ground isn't as grounded as it seems like it should be
It seems odd that it would correctly measure voltage across the power -> ground terminal but I guess thats the difference between "dirty ground" and "cut ground"? |
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djkeev Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007 Posts: 32433 Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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Posted: Sun May 05, 2019 2:08 pm Post subject: Re: Horn doesn't meep but has power? |
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djkeev wrote: |
VW has their you know what up where the sun don't shine when they designed their horns.
They always have 12v applied to them, or a relay in some models, when the key is on.
My horns didn't work, there was ground being made but not enough to honk the horn.
The main stumbling point is that the horn button makes ground contact but it must pass through the steering gear at the base of the column.
It doen't always make it 100%
I found that it created enough ground to operate a relay.
I grounded the horn directly to the body
I removed the +12v from the horn and attached it to a relay and jumpered it to the operating solenoid of the relay.
The ground from the horn button now operates the solenoid which closes the relay which honks the horn....... everytime.
I put the relay in a small water proof box and tucked it up by the horns.
Dave |
_________________ Stop Dead Photo Links how to post photos
Ghia
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=392473
Vanagon
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=6315537#6315537
Beetle
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=482968&highlight=74+super+vert |
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shizam Samba Member
Joined: December 26, 2018 Posts: 82 Location: Oakland, CA
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Posted: Sun May 05, 2019 2:43 pm Post subject: Re: Horn doesn't meep but has power? |
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Thanks,
I just so happen to have purchased the GoWesty horn relay kit for dual horns so I guess I’ll just install that and pray. |
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Gnarlodious Samba Member
Joined: September 28, 2013 Posts: 2312 Location: Adobe Jungle USA
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Posted: Sun May 05, 2019 3:53 pm Post subject: Re: Horn doesn't meep but has power? |
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Maybe it got water inside. _________________ Vanagon ’83 diesel AAZ w/Giles injection, 5spd 4.57R&P+TBD and a '78 diesel Rabbit |
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calo1956 Samba Member
Joined: April 18, 2011 Posts: 683 Location: long Island new york
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Posted: Sun May 05, 2019 4:05 pm Post subject: Re: Horn doesn't meep but has power? |
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Im glad that this came up, as i have a similar issue on my 80. I have to press the horn manny times to finally get it to work, then it pretty much will work every time, but it seems like it has to be "warmed up" first. Do you think its the ground as well ? I know about the brown wire on the steering rack and should check it, but what confuses me is that once it get going it will work. I was figuring the horn must have issues, but it never makes it high on my priority list, as i usually just use it to say "Hi" to my mail man as i drive by, and i love the fact that you can give a nice gentle meep meep! My Jeep JK has the horn in the center hub, you practically need the jaws of life to make it work, then its a annoying blast that doesn't suit my needs or taste. Sorry for the JK horn rant! I just love my VW horn, so cute, and nothing like it!! _________________ Enjoy the ride....
72 bug
80 westfalia |
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DanHoug Samba Member
Joined: December 05, 2016 Posts: 4717 Location: Bemidji, MN
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Posted: Sun May 05, 2019 4:42 pm Post subject: Re: Horn doesn't meep but has power? |
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djkeev wrote: |
djkeev wrote: |
VW has their you know what up where the sun don't shine when they designed their horns.
They always have 12v applied to them, or a relay in some models, when the key is on.
My horns didn't work, there was ground being made but not enough to honk the horn.
The main stumbling point is that the horn button makes ground contact but it must pass through the steering gear at the base of the column.
It doen't always make it 100%
I found that it created enough ground to operate a relay.
I grounded the horn directly to the body
I removed the +12v from the horn and attached it to a relay and jumpered it to the operating solenoid of the relay.
The ground from the horn button now operates the solenoid which closes the relay which honks the horn....... everytime.
I put the relay in a small water proof box and tucked it up by the horns.
Dave |
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i did the same thing to power a Wolo "Bad Boy" air horn. wonderfully loud. fires every time but having that VW funky horn mindset, i test it just about every drive. air horns also like to be spun frequently otherwise they can lock up. that's my excuse and i'm sticking to it. _________________ -dan
60% of what you find on the internet is wrong, including this post.
'87 Westy & '89 Westy both 2.1 4spd
Past projects can be found at--
www.thefixitworkshop.com |
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The Carrot Samba Member
Joined: November 18, 2013 Posts: 173 Location: Ontario, Canada
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Posted: Sun May 05, 2019 5:09 pm Post subject: Re: Horn doesn't meep but has power? |
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The Late Vanagons all have the facility to add a relay switched ground to operate the Horn, or Horns.
Its a neat little wiring operation plus the addition of a 4 pin relay in position 6 on the panel. the correct Connector body for position L on the back of the panel is available through Van Cafe.
https://www.vancafe.com/171971997-p/171971997.htm
You still have to see to your grounds, and ensure that the horn ring and contact at the steering wheel are in good condition and correct adjustment.
Heres the diagram I got from another horn thread....
_________________ 1990 Orly Blue Carat |
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ragnarhairybreeks Samba Member
Joined: October 26, 2009 Posts: 1888 Location: Sidney B.C. Canada
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Posted: Sun May 05, 2019 5:14 pm Post subject: Re: Horn doesn't meep but has power? |
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Hi,
I wired for dual horn relay, as was described in the German Bentley, a few years ago. Sheesh, almost nine years ago. Hate how time flies.
It’s a fun project, and now that van Cafe has the L connector , it’s an easier project. I later found L connector at wreckers, mk II or III Jetta/Golf i think.
My work here
https://shufti.blog/2010/10/06/dual-horn-relay-and-wiring/
Alistair _________________ '86 7 passenger syncro, converted to westy pop top, project still in progress
'82 westy, diesel converted to gas in '94, now gone...
https://shufti.blog/
Old address still works...
http://shufti.wordpress.com |
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The Carrot Samba Member
Joined: November 18, 2013 Posts: 173 Location: Ontario, Canada
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Posted: Sun May 05, 2019 5:46 pm Post subject: Re: Horn doesn't meep but has power? |
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Hi Mr. Breeks,
I remember finding out about the Dual Horn Modification by looking at your Blog a couple of years back; so thanks for that lead. I went on to find the above attached Full Colour wiring diagram from some guy named sullivan who had documented all the work. I remember he had maybe 6 horns running off that relay.... My first try was just using separate molex pigtails, finding that L connector was nirvana so I went back in and did it right. _________________ 1990 Orly Blue Carat |
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ragnarhairybreeks Samba Member
Joined: October 26, 2009 Posts: 1888 Location: Sidney B.C. Canada
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Posted: Sun May 05, 2019 6:21 pm Post subject: Re: Horn doesn't meep but has power? |
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Hi mr carrot,
Yes, Haywood Sullivan has the diagrams and I think I linked that on my blog post. It’s great he keeps that site up.
I too started with just the molex type ends into the fuse panel, and yes, finding the right plastic connector was a treat.
Funny how some little things with our vans gives us inordinate amount of pleasure
Alistair _________________ '86 7 passenger syncro, converted to westy pop top, project still in progress
'82 westy, diesel converted to gas in '94, now gone...
https://shufti.blog/
Old address still works...
http://shufti.wordpress.com |
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shizam Samba Member
Joined: December 26, 2018 Posts: 82 Location: Oakland, CA
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Posted: Sun May 05, 2019 7:26 pm Post subject: Re: Horn doesn't meep but has power? |
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Thanks everybody, horn is “meep”-ing like a champ now 👍 |
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