My horn is broke

fragmag

fragmag

New Member
Mar 27, 2007
287
Pittsburgh, PA
Boat Info
185 Sport
Engines
4.3l
My horn stopped working. Noticed this weekend when I went out. I checked the fuse, but it is good. The manual doesn't have much to offer on this, any other thoughts what I should check?
 
fragmag said:
My horn stopped working. Noticed this weekend when I went out. I checked the fuse, but it is good. The manual doesn't have much to offer on this, any other thoughts what I should check?
Click to expand...

A horn is a very simple device, it either works or it doesn't(although I've had some motorcycle horns that have a little screw on the back, that would vibrate loose and need to be adjusted)... You can check the wires going to it, but usually it's the actual device itself. You'll probably just have to swap it out. I'm not quite sure how to get to yours, I think on my boat I can see it up front near my anchor storage. My older boat was accessible up under the cockpit dash.
 
I'd check for voltage in the wires first... I'll give you directions in case you're not familiar:

leave your power on, hook your multi-meter to the wires going to the horn, set multi-meter to DC... push the button and look for voltage. If you don't see any, replace the horn.

Chances are it's just your horn...
 
I love my horn. Twin air horns really wake the neighbors in the marina when we are leaving the fairway. If I don't warn people I usually scare the bejesus out of them.
 
First Born said:
You are probably better off....ok bad joke but I hate the horn...:huh:
Click to expand...

Yeah, lots' of kids may have received a Duck for easter yesterday. They'll bore themselves with it shortly and you can get it on the cheap(no pun intended) and stuff it in their. Be careful where you attach the leads?

Seriously get an air horn. The one on our 230OV was more manly that the POS I have on the 260:smt021
 
Thanks for the ideas. The idea of an air horn on my 185 is hilarious, I'll have to look into it. But, I think I'll hook up the voltmeter like NatRW21 said and see if the horn is kaput.
 
It's the switch I had mind replaced under warranty, if your out of warranty don't let MM do it. $1 for the switch $160 for them to install it.

Mine stopped working in the worst way, it got stuck bairly deperssed so it was honking if you can call it that more like crying but not a full on cry. WHY must they put that kind of horn in a boat, if there was a way to put a real horn in the place of the current I would do it for sure.
 
I agree with Morpheus. 99% that it's the switch. It's a Piece of S..t! 1.00 part that goes bad. Mine went bad 3 days after taking delivery of my Brand new Dancer! Do it yourself and save tons of money!
Morpheus, My horn sounds like a car horn (for the whole 3 days it worked!), not like the buzzer I used to have on my 220 Sundeck.
 
I'm definately going to check the switch. Still don't know why they thought a screeching cat (my horn) could be heard on the water over the sound of a boat at WOT. Espcially when you really need to get someones attention fast.
 
I thought I read where somone just replaced the horn with an automotive horn. What I remember is that it was the same size and was a quick change. I should add this to my spring list of things to do.
 
Guys,

I'm serious....if you want to get someone's attention, and get respect....AIR HORNS! I have heard some of the horns on a few of the 300 series Sea Rays in our marina and I thought they were broken. An electric door buzzer sounds better.

And the best part is if you are anchored out or overnighting at a marina and the neighbors carry the noisy party past a time that is courteous, you quietly start your boat and stealthily drift to within about 2 feet of their boat and hit your Queen Mary-sized air horns and you WILL get their attention. Be sure you know CPR as you may have to render aid.
 
My horn stopped working right after I bought my boat......apparently that thin paper film doesnt stand up to a pressure washer very well! :grin:

Quick trip to Sea Ray, along with a "Not sure why, it just stopped!" explanation got it fixed.

I dont pressure wash it anymore......:thumbsup:
 
MY HORN SUCKS.

I need to find a better option. when I take people out on the boat and have to hit the horn... they laugh. We've talked about this before, but I can't take it anymore.
 
My horn stopped working today!

Boat is less than 2 months old, done only 13 hours. The horn was sounding sick last time I took the boat out & finally stopped today when I gave it a test in the middle of nowhere. The bow nav lights don't work either so I'm guessing water/corrosion has got into them and/or the wiring connections. Fuses are fine. Haven't used a pressure sprayer but have probably sprayed the horn & lights with the garden hose as I washed the boat down. They should be able to take that, definate warranty items I'd say.

Last time we were out I noticed the seal under the rubber bump strip that runs around the whole boat had separated slightly between the top deck and hull at the bow just under the horn and nav lights so i'm guessing moisture got in through there. Only visible by getting right under the bow and looking vertical. I noticed the slight gap while swimming around the boat :smt001.

Going to get all 3 issues looked at with the 20 hour service.
 
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