Horn relays

[68FORDJBM]

How sensitive are horn relays on aftermarket horns? Is there someway they can be damaged? I've been trying to install an aftermarket horn and 2 stopped working after several blasts. Several year later I tried again and can't get the newest to work through the button. I can make it work by jumping the 12 volt wire directly to the horn. So the horn works but not through the relay

[Busboy]

You should check the amperage draw specification of your replacement horns. In theory if it is excessive it could be more than the relay was originally designed for.

[HIO Silver]

I installed a four-horn system from an early 90s Cadillac (Notes A, C, D, and F) and initially attempted to power all of them through the stock relay and two-wire system - two horns on the left and two horns on the right side. No joy... it sounded like a sick cow. Now it's running two horns off the stock relay and the other left side power wire triggers a separate relay.

[68FORDJBM]

The relay came with the horn. Should there be power to the wire going to the button? I have power everywhere but there. It that is the case then the relay is preventing power from going to my horn button and completing the circuit. It's frustrating because it is such a clean simple wiring job that won't work.

[fijidad]

I just installed a set of air horns bought at O'Riley's and when I tried to honk the horn....nothing but a click. I replaced the stock relay with an aftermarket one from O'Riley's and now I have no hearing in my left ear! So, relays do go bad. Dan

[68FORDJBM]

but can they short out if there is something amiss in the electrical system. Still trying to find time to trouble shoot my horn. The horn does work but I have to jump the power directly from the battery to the horn. I have no power going to the switch from the relay. My suspicion is that as soon as I go to hit the switch I'm instantly frying the relay. The question is why?

[fijidad]

but can they short out if there is something amiss in the electrical system. Still trying to find time to trouble shoot my horn. The horn does work but I have to jump the power directly from the battery to the horn. I have no power going to the switch from the relay. My suspicion is that as soon as I go to hit the switch I'm instantly frying the relay. The question is why?

Could be many causes...start here....http://fordification.com/tech/schematics_h.htm

[Lee]

The relay came with the horn. Should there be power to the wire going to the button? I have power everywhere but there. It that is the case then the relay is preventing power from going to my horn button and completing the circuit. It's frustrating because it is such a clean simple wiring job that won't work.

On a stock Ford horn setup, there is no power going to the contact within the steering wheel. When you push the horn, the horn ring provides a "ground" back to the horn relay thus energizing the relay which sends 12v to the horn.

Lee