General where's the horn cl1000?

[toecutter]

The previous owner had a stereo and alarm fitted, but took them when the car was sold- leaving a nightmare of wiring. I carefully ran back over each wire, and have removed all the detrius. I removed a large "Doberman" siren. However, I can't find the original car horn. Where is it? Haynes says, "behind the front body panel". Does that mean behind the grill, or near the rad, or on the fire wall, or in the car proper? maddening!
Justin

 

[John H]

Behind the bumper/fender.
UK passenger side.

If you need to get at it you have to remove the wheel arch liner (3 or 4 self tapping screws), then unbolt the bumper bracket and side support.

It's a nasty little thing which is a "bugger"* to get at and often fails:
I put a new FIAT one on just over a year ago - bust again a few weeks ago.
So I found my old (1970's) air horns out, and mounted the compressor in board.

Regards

John H

* How's your "English" language useage coming along??

 

[rrockettman]

If the old one doesn't work, it is easier to trace the wiring back to the engine compartment and mount a new one near the spare wheel.

Russ

 

[toecutter]

1) Excellent idea to mount a £6 aftermarket one where it's easy to get at- once I find the earth and feed for the original horn...
2) Air horns are great- I had a pair on my Honda CB 400T sidecar outfit, along with some extra spot light, heated 'bars and a stereo and house speakers- great for frightening pedestrians at night- kinda like a moving Quiet Riot concert.
3) I thought my English was fine: I was originally commenting on Pete's parsimonious use to describe a clutch problem.

Justin

 

[John H]

Basic operation is volts to the horn, and earthed via the steering wheel push button.


There are some issues with the earthing from the horn:
There is a a brass ring under back of the steering wheel which provides continuity regardless of wheel position, it wears out.
Also there is an earth through the body of the steering lock/ ignition switch area somewhere, which also becomes intermittant. It will commonly work "straight ahead", but not with some lock on.

The two wires at the horn unplug (when you can get at it) and will pull back below the headlight so the connectors are always accessible.

If you get access to the horn you can find out if the problem is the horn, or a wiring issue.

 

[Martiny10]

Re: Mounting new horn in a more accessible place.

When I went to fit a new horn a few months ago I discovered that the car already had seven (7!) horns mounted at various points underneath!

I guess they just rot.

Fix It Again Tony!

 

[toecutter]

All good stuff...now for the rain to stop. I've just lost a spring clip from the retaining pin for the rear shoes, damn near lost an eye...anyhow, seven horns? You sure it wasn't rigged to toot "Mabeline" or "Dixie"? If I find the wires and there is power to them, I just might cut 'em at the right length to place a £6 horn on the firewall and leave the old one wherever it might be.
Justin

 

[John H]

There's a pair of wires separate from the loom, and dissappear under the UK passenger side headlight - one grey/black the other voilet.

The violet one is +12 straight from fuse 3.

The grey/black finds an earth via the horn push etc., as mentioned above.