VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1929-1932 Refurbishing a 31 Horn

Anyone ever open up a 31 Horn? Parts available? Mine does not work. Al W.

I have refurbished several '31 horns. The parts are not generally available but I have manufactured some for my own use. Just did one for another Chat member. If the electromagnet and points are in good condition then the horn is not too hard to refurbish. If they are bad it can be a real pain (time & $$$) to get one to work. Rewinding the coil, replacing the points or insulator are not fun.

Thanks Chipper. Al W.

I refurbished my two pancake horns last year. I was lucky as my coil and points were in pretty good shape. Water had gotten in around the two screws that provide power and ground. They had not worked since we bought the car in 1962. I found some real nice small grommets at the hardware store to use in both of the power screw holes to keep out water. I tuned them with some alligator clips hooked to the battery in my shop. They really sound fine now. I can send pics if you send me a pm with your email. Good luck!

How do you test to see if the electromagnet and components are good for a rebuild? I bought an old horn that does not work and I would like to fix it.

Thanks,
brandon

Continuity check on the wiring for the electromagnet is first step. I use a VOM. Visual inspection on points and then resistance check open and closed. Also check to see if either of them is grounded to the case. If all that checks okay and the rest of the wiring circuit is good then the horn should work once adjusted.