Took the woody to the beach for the weekend. Saturday mid morning while at the beach it started raining and rained for about an hour, we drove back to the campsite in the rain and about 20min later the horn started blowing all by itself. I pulled the horn relay and an hour later when the rain stopped I put the relay back in and the horn worked normally. the car was converted to 12v with a rebel wire harness by the previous owner. what could have gotten wet that would cause the horn to blow?
If the 54 is like the 55’s, I’d look at the wire that comes down the column and thru the box. Not quite sure how it would get wet there. Did it quit when you pulled that, or did you pull the hot at the relay? Or the horn connection at the horn or relay? Odd one.
Is the rear edge of the hood well sealed? Whether it is or isn't, take a look for any signs where water may have run down the firewall. If there's a bulkhead connector thru the firewall, disconnct it and look for signs of moisture intrusion or corrosion. If you can clean it up fairly well give both sides of the connector a couple of liberal sprays with DeOxit 5. I'd guess that the forward harness for the lamps and horns and such is routed along the inner fender panel. Look around there as well for any witness marks of water intrusion. As a matter of fact I'd close the hood and spray water with a garden hose around all the edges. Then open the hood see where any water might have leaked in. If you're unplugging any other connecters under there also give then a good shot of DeOxit 5 before reassembly.
The answer my friend Is blowin' in the rain The answer Is blowin' in the rain Or whatever @miker98038 and @ClayMart say.
Depends on if it's ground triggered or power triggered. Typically, the horn (or relay) is powered all the time and the switch completes the ground circuit. In this case, anywhere along the ground side circuit to ground shorting will do it. Plain rain water won't do it, but salt water will. If it's power switched, any part of the circuit between the switch and the horn (or relay) needs to short to power.
Must have been really good dope if you can’t remember those words. The others are correct, but that’s why I asked about the wire down the column and out the box. I’ve seen more than one where the insulation rubbed thru at the box. Usually greasy, and a little water might make a ground. Seen even more with tape on them.
This. Ford used a hollow steering shaft until '58 with the horn relay ground wire running through it. These wires do fail. But look at where it goes after it leaves the steering box too. You may have a bare spot or an unsealed splice that's getting water in it.
Thanks everyone, The steering wheel button grounds the relay, that explains why it stopped blowing when I pulled out the relay. I’ll inspect the steering wheel wire and report back.
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