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MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG MGA - Horn Issue

This is a little unusual and I hope to adequately describe this issue, so here goes: The non-original horn in my "A" lost it's ability to hold it's high pitched sound; it became very flat, bass like. I had a new horn sitting on the shelf, one from Wolo which reproduced the "beep-beep" sound from the old Roadrunner cartoons. This unit has a 2 wire install and the sound was perfect for the first week or two. I then noticed that this horn as well started to lose it's unique sound and it become very flat and bass like as per the first unit. Any ideas as to why 2 different horns would fail in the same manner?//nk
N Kopernik

All the high notes have leaked out? (Another Lucas lack of smoke type issue!)
Seriously though,do you have a good ground at the horn button (black wire), or could there be a high resistance at the fuse (across A1-A2) where the brown with green wire connects?
How do the horns sound when you put them directly on a battery? This would determine if it is a wiring or horn problem.
Peter.
P. Tilbury

Horns have the same flat sound when wired direct to battery; very different when first installed. It does appear that the horns have failed, but not sure if its a manufacturing defect or soemthing else causing the change. I've sent an e-mail to the manufacturer to get their take on this. It wouldn't be so bad if I did not have to take the grill off every time to get at the horn.//nk
N Kopernik

Any correlation to the horns getting wet?
Steve Trovato

Most horns are adjustable for best operation. Remove the cover of a Windtone horn, clean the contact points, and find a set screw with a locking nut. Loosen the jam nut and apply electrical power. While the thing is blowing adjust the set screw to give maximum volume, then tighten the jam nut.

If this doesn't work it needs repair. Remove rivets around the perimeter to open the case, remove dirt and rust, generally clean and reassemble with machine screws (or new rivets), sealing up the joints around the edges. If the diaphragm is rusted through or the solenoid is electrically open circuit you might chuck it and look for a different hooter.
Barney Gaylord

Also check that nothing has nested in the horn. My neighbour found a wasp had plugged the siren horn connected to his house alarm with mud as hard as cement!
Most MGA horns are fitted to a bracket mounted under the car, on the front frame extension forward of the radiator. In this location it is not necessary to remove the grill to get at them (one or sometimes two).
Peter.
P. Tilbury

Try the horn when the engine is running and the voltage is up to 14 or 15 volts on the dynamo. Compare that with the feeble sound when sitting inactive in the garage with only 11.5 or 12 volts!
Bruce Mayo

This thread was discussed between 18/07/2008 and 20/07/2008

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This thread is from the archive. The Live MG MGA BBS is active now.