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MG MGF Technical - Dead Horns

After fitting my Fluke 73 to the plugs of the Hi note and Lo note horns it has come to my attention that they are both f&*c$£d. While I can understand one being knackered I find it difficult to believe them both being so.. What is more baffling is that I bought the car like this and never checked the horns were operational. What is even more baffling is why it took me a year to find this out. (Never had to use the horn for any road rage). Any way the car has been through two MOT's one from Carcraft in Rochdale where I bought it, the other from Regent Motors in Linlithgow (who found a worn ball joint but not a defective horn). To cut a short stoty long does any one know what the MG Rover cost is on replacements?
Nkosi_Ecosse

Seems strange that both horhs are dead!

Are you getting 12v at their terminals when you press the horn buttons? If not, have a look at http://www.apttony.co.uk/Servicing/HornFailure.html

Tony

Tony Thompson

Oh they are both dead alright. 11.8v between live and earth wires on the plugs.
Nkosi_Ecosse

I put it down to lack of use, had one go recently on my 2001 trophy.
Mike (Mersea)

And in a year you've never accidentally set your alarm off!?

Blimey!
Neil H

In 3 years I've never accidentally set my alarm off!
JohnP

Try these people for new horns

http://www.vehicle-wiring-products.co.uk/VWPweb2000/homepage/home.html

You need to paste the link into your browser

Brian

Maybe you have the same problem then John! ;-)
Neil H

Just checked, my problem is even worse - some swine has stolen one of the horns!!!
JohnP

A quick trawl through the archives reveals that Roger Parker has posted a potential solution to this problem of a dead horn:

>>Check that you have a 12v supply to both purple/yellow wires. The feed is common, splitting to feed each horn and then the earth path wires join again before reaching the horn buttons.

Assuming that the supply is there and that the earth path is good too, then disconnet the good horn and have an assistant hold the horn button on. Whilst the button is pressed tap the body of the bad horn and see if you get any chirps out of it. If it is simply 'out of tune' you will. If it is dead then its time to replace.

If the horn chirps then you should find a screw thread with a screwdriver slot at the end. There will also be a lock nut holding this against the horn body. Loosen the locknut and whilst the horn button is pressed use a screwdriver to turn the thread back and forth until you get the appropriate sound. It shouldn't need much turning. Once the chosen sound is achieved tighten the lock nut.

Reconnect the other horn and check the overall sound again.

Rog
<<
Rob Bell

Thanks people,

I replaced them with generic horns from Halfords 1 x Hi note, 1 x Lo note £9.99 each, just had to clip of the plugs and fit some female butt connectors. Still can't understand why the car passed 2 x MOT's with stufffed hooters though. :)
Nkosi_Ecosse

if the horns are set-up a bit close to the edge, they may not work without the engine running as the volts are a bit lower. Had a Golf once like this and the very friendly MOT man gave it a good rev and then they worked!!
Tony

Glad I went the Halfords route. Morrions MG Rover in Falkirk wanted £58 for the pair and £85 for the pair, fitted. Well I guess they have to make a living! :)
Nkosi_Ecosse

This thread was discussed between 06/02/2005 and 08/02/2005

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