I have a Momo steering wheel on my 1991 MX5 and the horn has just stopped working. I’m assuming it’s the fuse. Can anyone tell me where the fuse for the horn is? Does the boss just prise off the steering wheel? Whereabouts is the horn body itself? I’m not much of a mechanic and know nothing about electrics, so any help would be appreciated.
Thanks
Found the horns, two of them at the front, both look ok. The boss prises off and everything looks ok there too.
The horn fuse is located near the drivers right foot (i cant remember which one)
But most likley the copper contact switch which allows the horn to be push in any degree of turn on the steering wheel has probably worn out - this or the wire from the push button has fallen off.
The copper contact switch failed on a friend of mines mx5 and his MOT was due the following day - We removed the covers from the steering colum located the copper contact switch and solderd on a small piece of copper plate to bridge the gap making the horn work again.
Ahhh, thanks
The wire on the back of the push button is still there, I’ll take the covers off the column and see what I can see. I’ll have a scramble around for the fuse too.
http://mx5oc.co.uk/forum/forums/t/180.aspx
This shows where all the fuses are in a '5
The one you want is the TAIL fuse, however if the brake lights are working then that fuse is ok[same fuse for both ]
Shouldn’t need to take the steering column cowling off. The push button for the horn just pulls out of the centre of the steering wheel. The soft copper clip-in ring that contacts the outside of the housing in the steering wheel mount is usually the culprit. It loses its ‘spring’ and may not be making contact any more. On mine I just bent it out further to make sure it did make contact and everything worked again.
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Checked the fuse, it’s fine and the brake lights work.
The copper wire is in place in the steering wheel.
Still no hooter…
Have you got a meter? If so pull the wires at the horns and check for 12 volts when the button is pushed.
It could also be the horn relay has failed, see here for location, it’s under the dash…
Have done as you suggested and have more than 12 volts at both horns - they both appear to be properly attached to the car so I don’t think there is an earthing problem - could they both have packed up at the same time for some reason??
I think Raydar27 was refering to the metal ring shown in this photo on the boss and the spring loaded contact seen at 6 o’clock on the steering column. Sorry the photo is small.
As you say you are getting 12 volts at the horns, I’d be looking for a high resistance somewhere. You’re getting voltage but not enough current.
The horn button switches the negative side of the relay (green/orange wire from the relay to the button). Look for a high resistance on the Green/Red wire from the relay to the horns or on one on the White/Green wires that feed the relay.
Just how many right feet have you got then mate?? [:S]
But if I’m getting 12 volts at the horns under the bonnet, it must be a fault with them? Or am I missing something??
12V is only any use if it’s got a decent earth to go to…
Presumably you’re only getting 12V with the button pressed? If not, then you’re switchin earth and picking up local power, so in that case you need to look at the earth on the dead side of the switch …
The horn has suddenly started working again! Must have been a loose connection somewhere so will presumably go wrong again but the last thing I tried was the volts at the horns by taking the wire off and replacing it. Seemed a snug fit bt maybe there was something wrong there. Yes I only had the volts with the button pushed, by the way.
It’s been nice getting everyone’s help though, thanks to you all! [:)]
Da nada. It’s all there for the asking. It’s a five thing.
Glad it’s working now - it’s amazing just how many electrical problems get cleared up just by taking connections apart and re-connecting. (that simple act will always clean the connecting surfaces, unless things are so loose there is no friction, in which case, only re-terminating will clear things.