Horny Devil ... no horn sounds, button?

[TucmanXJ]

My 79 F model's oem horn hasn't worked from day one.

First - I've read most the threads about the Pink & Brown wires, testing the oem horn by grounding etc. ad infinitum. Took a gander at the factory wiring diagram to double check wire colors & locations. Ignition key is ON during tests, all fuses are intact.

Brown wire tests hot at it's female spade. When grounded close by on the frame the horn blats magnificently!

Yet when pushing the LHS horn button there's no sound. Took apart LH switch control, cleaned the pink/wire /button contacts & carefully replaced same = still no working horn.

There's no cuts or splices at, in, on or near either horn wire. Is it the nature of the beast not to sound off if the oem horn button (inside) gets old or dirty?

Any ideas other than replacing all the above with a truck horn?

Hornless in Tucson

[mro]

Use a multi-meter set to ohms to test the wire/horn button.
Just cause they look good don't mean they are.
Could be the button is not grounded, be bad or there could be a problem with the wire where you can not see it


mro

[AlanB]

Hi Tucman,

Sounds like you have proved that the horn is OK, and that there is 12V reaching it......... All it needs now is an earth! Either the pink wire at the horn is not connected to the pink wire up at the button, or the button is not making a contact when pressed, or the switch is not earthed; There are no other possibilities!

Some basic work with a meter should tell you what your problem is!

Connecting a truck horn will not help unless you can find a feed and an earth!

AlanB

[John]

Check the black ground wire that is inside the turn signal switch housing. It is attached to the screw that secures the white, plastic detent spring and ball assembly that is used to hold the turnsignal lever in position. The handle bars are not case grounded. If working properly, the T/S will work even with the swith housing not mounted to the handlebars.

[TucmanXJ]

Horn works! BUTTON has function

... After an entire day of fussing, cleaning and effort the horn now works beautifully!

The earthing / mc / button gods have smiled once again upon this venerable XS

thanks for the tips

[TucmanXJ]

update on horns

Found the Vetter horns were live wired but had no activation button and were not connected to anything useful.

Installed a Checker Auto horn button on the fairing ... Craig Vetter would be proud!

Rob