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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Gah! Horn issues

Hello all :)

Getting ready for MOT time mean it's time to fix the horns again. I've got new ones (from the dead rover) that work fine and loudly when tooted by themselves from the battery.

I've got 12V where it should be, the issue is connecting the tooter inside the steering wheel. There's electricity there, it sparks and poots intermittently but heats up the centre connector impressively. According to ammeter they're drawing about 25A.

It's mega sparky on the connector in the steering wheel, if I can get a decent contact with a screwdriver it all works fine. But it takes some effort, it's all a bit sparky, even initially with the screwdriver.

read about a column earthing strap in the archives might this work?

Any other ideas how I can make this better?

many thanks :)

Rob
Rob Armstrong

A column earth is essential. I put one on my MGB. I simply stripped some solid copper wire out of a piece ring main flex, put two or three turns of it round the column just inside the bonnet and fixed the loose end under a nearby bolt. The column rubs on the wire and so far it has been perfect for 3 years.

BUT, the most important thing is to fit a relay in the horn circuit. Then the relay takes the load and the horn button only needs to pass milli-amps.
Mike Howlett

Thanks - I'll try a relay, can pinch one from the Landy's extra lights for a bit. Horns have been fine up till now without a column earth but no harm in adding one I suppose.

Rob Armstrong

Does sound like you need a relay if you're drawing that much current.

They must be LOUD!
Dave O'Neill 2

A've fixed it!

and yes, they are LOUD. Relay and a column earth did the job, though don't use the same live feed for both sides of the relay, or it goes all fluttery and the horns go poop poop poop poop poop poop poop poop. Amusing, but not a 'solid tone'..

Cheers for the help :)
Rob Armstrong

This thread was discussed between 11/08/2011 and 12/08/2011

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

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