268 Sundancer horn problem

[jeski]

I'm looking for help in troubleshooting a horn problem on a 1987 268 Sundancer. When I currently hit the horn button, it lets out a very soft, short "BLAH" and subsequent button pushes do nothing.

I verified power in the pushbutton, and made an assumption the horn was bad. I purchased a new horn, installed it and had the same thing happen. I took the new horn off the boat, and when connected directly to the battery works perfectly. I tried with the old horn and had the same thing happen.

What I am wondering is if there is a solenoid or something located in the circuit between the horn and horn pushbutton switch that may be bad and causing my issues?? If so, where is this located?

Any help or guidance would be greatly appreciated!
Shawn

 

[slurpen]

I´ve goy the same problem on my 268,(and it works great directly to the batery)

 

[tdappleman]

Have you checked your connections for corrosion? Check the voltage at the horn when the button is pressed - if you have less than expected then I would clean and re-seat all connections and see if the problem goes away.

 

[slurpen]

The "funny"thing is that the horn only goes "BLAH" ones,then you have to wait for a wile.

 

[boatmailster]

there is small adjustment screw on back of the horn.
you can try to move it a little.
it is all about corrosion inside horn, corroded surface causing voltage drop and horn will not sound, moving adjustment screw will clean point of contact.
you could spray some wd40 inside horn and let it seat for day or two.

 

[jeski]

Thanks for the info. I guess I eliminated the actual horn(s) being the issue since the new one didn't work on the boat either...

I'll try it tonite.

 

[Lazy Daze]

You verified power at the switch, but did you jump 12v to the wires that go from the switch to the horn? If you eliminate the switch from the equation (you've already eliminated the horn from the equation) and the horn works fine, you got a bad switch. If the horn still does it's funky thing, the switch is good, but the wiring is bad.

 

[slurpen]

Thanks Boatmailster,it was a corroded adjustment screw.The horn is like new.

 

[jeski]

Tried messing around with the adjustment screw and nothing happened. :smt021

I assume I need to check the voltage drop across the switch next, unless someone else has a suggestion...

Thanks.
shawn

 

[Lazy Daze]

See my post #7 - that was meant for you. If you have a portable battery pack, you can use that to supply 12v to the wiring that goes from the switch to the horn.