Horn only works when it wants to

LNasty · September 1st, 2013, 06:16 PM

I installed a louder horn a while back and it was working great for couple months, but now it only works at random times. I have checked the connections at the horn and everything is connected. Not sure where to go from here. Horn is one of those highway blasters. Any suggestions?

Motofool · September 1st, 2013, 06:50 PM

Turn the handlebar from lock to lock and try seeing where the cables that feed the horn bend more: you may find an internally broken cable at that point.

LNasty · September 1st, 2013, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Motofool

Turn the handlebar from lock to lock and try seeing where the cables that feed the horn bend more: you may find an internally broken cable at that point.

Never thought of that, will look them over

Asspire · September 1st, 2013, 09:02 PM

check the relay

the fiamm freeway blasters can pull up to 8A of power. check fuses and connections thoroughly.

LNasty · September 1st, 2013, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Asspire

check the relay

the fiamm freeway blasters can pull up to 8A of power. check fuses and connections thoroughly.

Do you happen to know where the relay is for the horn? Also what relay would I replace it with?

Asspire · September 2nd, 2013, 07:25 PM

next to headlight relay, at battery. replace with oem or similar. Our bike rape cheap relay's, they can't handle the vibration.

LNasty · September 2nd, 2013, 07:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Asspire

next to headlight relay, at battery. replace with oem or similar. Our bike rape cheap relay's, they can't handle the vibration.

what amperage of relay should I get? Like a 30 amp/ 12 v?

Asspire · September 2nd, 2013, 07:42 PM

20 amp should be more than adequate, though most automotive SPST relays are 40 amps

alex.s · September 2nd, 2013, 08:05 PM

sometimes these things happen. just relax. light a few candles. put on some nice jazz. pour a couple glasses of wine and bust out the massage oil.

LNasty · September 2nd, 2013, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alex.s

sometimes these things happen. just relax. light a few candles. put on some nice jazz. pour a couple glasses of wine and bust out the massage oil.

Lol, trying to relax. Needed the horn yesterday when jackass came into my lane without looking or signaling. plus my bike is due for inspection next month and Texas is picky about **** like the horn working

alex.s · September 2nd, 2013, 10:35 PM

i don't think i've had a horn in 2 years. are you really required to have one in texas? i thought california was all uppity about inspections but i guess texas is worse

Soujyu · September 3rd, 2013, 12:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alex.s

i don't think i've had a horn in 2 years. are you really required to have one in texas? i thought california was all uppity about inspections but i guess texas is worse

Yes, you're required to have a working horn in Texas.

dfox · September 3rd, 2013, 05:24 AM

if it's not something obvious, like a loose connection, blown fuse, blown relay, etc. it could either be the switch, wiring, ground location, or the horn.

personally, I have a multimeter that I bust out frequently for troubleshooting this type of stuff. You can test for continuity, voltage, etc. to determine if it's a wiring issue, if the horn is malfunctioning, etc. You do need a bit of electrical knowledge to get started though. worth a shot if you understand the basics of DC electricity. They're pretty cheap.

CC Cowboy · September 3rd, 2013, 05:56 AM

I read the title and tought of that old saying about girlfriends and wives. What was that saying again....

LNasty · September 5th, 2013, 09:06 PM

Tested all wiring, ended up being the horn. Took it back to autozone and got it exchanged for a new one. I installed a 40 amp relay and larger gauge wires. Horn is loud as **** now

IF13 · September 5th, 2013, 10:43 PM

Glad to know I wasn't the only one who read that title wrong. Lol

Sorry, OP. Glad to know your issue's fixed though.

September 1st, 2013, 06:16 PM	#1
LNasty Daily Jap rider Name: Lance Location: La Porte Join Date: Dec 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2012 Ninja 250r Posts: A lot.	Horn only works when it wants to I installed a louder horn a while back and it was working great for couple months, but now it only works at random times. I have checked the connections at the horn and everything is connected. Not sure where to go from here. Horn is one of those highway blasters. Any suggestions?

September 1st, 2013, 06:50 PM	#2
Motofool Daily Ninjette rider Name: Hernan Location: Florida Join Date: Mar 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2007 Ninja 250 Posts: A lot. MOTY - 2016, MOTM - Dec '12, Jan '14, Jan '15, May '16	Turn the handlebar from lock to lock and try seeing where the cables that feed the horn bend more: you may find an internally broken cable at that point. __________________________________________________ *Motofool* *.................................Never ride faster than your guardian angel can fly* "Mankind is composed of two sorts of men — those who love and create, and those who hate and destroy. Love is the bond between men, the way to teach and the center of the world." - José Martí

September 2nd, 2013, 08:05 PM	#9
alex.s wat Name: wat Location: tustin/long beach Join Date: Sep 2009 Motorcycle(s): wat Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 5 MOTM - Oct '12, Feb '14	sometimes these things happen. just relax. light a few candles. put on some nice jazz. pour a couple glasses of wine and bust out the massage oil. __________________________________________________

September 2nd, 2013, 10:35 PM	#11
alex.s wat Name: wat Location: tustin/long beach Join Date: Sep 2009 Motorcycle(s): wat Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 5 MOTM - Oct '12, Feb '14	i don't think i've had a horn in 2 years. are you really required to have one in texas? i thought california was all uppity about inspections but i guess texas is worse __________________________________________________

September 3rd, 2013, 05:56 AM	#14
CC Cowboy ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Whodat Location: Ware Is.,MA Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): I pass the wind! Posts: A lot. MOTM - Mar '13, Jun '14	I read the title and tought of that old saying about girlfriends and wives. What was that saying again.... __________________________________________________ If everything seems under control; you're just not going fast enough!

September 1st, 2013, 09:02 PM	#4
Asspire Fix It Till Ya Break It Name: Asspyre Location: T.Dot Join Date: Oct 2011 Motorcycle(s): 08 250RRrrrr Posts: 623	check the relay the fiamm freeway blasters can pull up to 8A of power. check fuses and connections thoroughly.

September 2nd, 2013, 07:25 PM	#6
Asspire Fix It Till Ya Break It Name: Asspyre Location: T.Dot Join Date: Oct 2011 Motorcycle(s): 08 250RRrrrr Posts: 623	next to headlight relay, at battery. replace with oem or similar. Our bike rape cheap relay's, they can't handle the vibration.

September 2nd, 2013, 07:42 PM	#8
Asspire Fix It Till Ya Break It Name: Asspyre Location: T.Dot Join Date: Oct 2011 Motorcycle(s): 08 250RRrrrr Posts: 623	20 amp should be more than adequate, though most automotive SPST relays are 40 amps

September 3rd, 2013, 05:24 AM	#13
dfox ninjette.org sage Name: Fox Location: Boston Join Date: May 2012 Motorcycle(s): 08 250R Posts: 881	if it's not something obvious, like a loose connection, blown fuse, blown relay, etc. it could either be the switch, wiring, ground location, or the horn. personally, I have a multimeter that I bust out frequently for troubleshooting this type of stuff. You can test for continuity, voltage, etc. to determine if it's a wiring issue, if the horn is malfunctioning, etc. You do need a bit of electrical knowledge to get started though. worth a shot if you understand the basics of DC electricity. They're pretty cheap.

September 5th, 2013, 09:06 PM	#15
LNasty Daily Jap rider Name: Lance Location: La Porte Join Date: Dec 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2012 Ninja 250r Posts: A lot.	Tested all wiring, ended up being the horn. Took it back to autozone and got it exchanged for a new one. I installed a 40 amp relay and larger gauge wires. Horn is loud as **** now

September 5th, 2013, 10:43 PM	#16
IF13 WOT WOT WOT Name: Ken Location: Suffolk Join Date: Jul 2013 Motorcycle(s): '12 Ninja 250R Posts: 421	Glad to know I wasn't the only one who read that title wrong. Lol Sorry, OP. Glad to know your issue's fixed though. __________________________________________________ May your roads stay clear....

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