fixing horns?
fixing horns?
Hi everybody,
I disassembled a horn, trying to see if I could fix it. It makes no sound.
Does anyone know how these work? I would assume the part with the adjuster nut moves in an out of the coil, but I cannot get it to move either in or out, using a screwdriver and gentle persuasion.
I can see the contact points, and I filed them, but if I can't get movement, there will be no vibration, right?.
I will see if the Imperial Pages has any tips.
I disassembled a horn, trying to see if I could fix it. It makes no sound.
Does anyone know how these work? I would assume the part with the adjuster nut moves in an out of the coil, but I cannot get it to move either in or out, using a screwdriver and gentle persuasion.
I can see the contact points, and I filed them, but if I can't get movement, there will be no vibration, right?.
I will see if the Imperial Pages has any tips.
It is obvious that Autolite horns are different than Spartan.
Both use the steel plunger inside the steel housing of windings.
After that, they are different. For one, the Autolites are tuneable...
anyway, it appears that horns can go bad in several simple ways:
1) oxidation/burning of contact points
2) oxidation/rust between the plunger and the coil.
The points are accessible if you remove the horn cover.
The contact between plunger and housing is inaccessible...I sprayed wd-40 into the area, and then used a screwdriver to wiggle the plunger this way and that until I got it to move sort of freely.
Both use the steel plunger inside the steel housing of windings.
After that, they are different. For one, the Autolites are tuneable...
anyway, it appears that horns can go bad in several simple ways:
1) oxidation/burning of contact points
2) oxidation/rust between the plunger and the coil.
The points are accessible if you remove the horn cover.
The contact between plunger and housing is inaccessible...I sprayed wd-40 into the area, and then used a screwdriver to wiggle the plunger this way and that until I got it to move sort of freely.
To update, I gave up on the Spartan horns and went straight to the Autolites, which were in the car. Took the cover off and fiddled w/ the tuning screw, used some compressed air and teh screwdriver technique and yes, they now work. They need to be used a lot, which will clean out the crud accumulated between the two surfaces (magnet coil and "plunger"). Maybe I can put them in a box of pillows to muffle the sound, and let them blow for a few minutes....