The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Electrical Bay 1957 3100 dual horn question

My truck has a dual horn setup that I haven’t seen in any of the manuals. I have installed an American Autowire stock replacement harness which includes a horn relay. I’ve attached a picture of what I have. Please note that there is a relay between the two horns. The AAW harness has a wire that is connected to a wire on the horn assembly. The horns don’t work, so I’m wondering what it is that I have here. The truck is just about ready to drive after at least 25 years of being in pieces. I do remember that the horns used to work. Any thoughts or questions are welcome.
Thank you,
Larry

It should be marked H B S left to right. Horn Battery Switch (horn button).

Horns should be grounded by their mounting bolts/brackets. Unpainted metal on metal. Horns should have one wire each.
So.......

1. Both horn wires to H
2. Battery hot feed to B
3. Wire from column/horn button to S

Give me the AAW harness part number

Thank you for the reply. AAW part #30255. I’ll look at the connections tomorrow.

That PN seems to be for a who person wants to maintain original factory wiring design and look, or ease of install. Not an upgrade.


IN MY OPINION:
Speaking about their Universal/nostalgic/Hiway harnesses, I used to say AAW was the best, and top of the line, even though somewhat pricey. The harness world has caught up with them and they don't seem to realize it or care. Their harnesses are not on my list anymore for recommendation. There is no reason for their crazy prices. There is no quality advantage. The value can not be supported. Sorry to say. The hype and lack of study by buyers is carrying them forward for now. Some of which I may have contributed to.

LAJones 48 Can't you jumper your horns to see if they work,then with your voltmeter press on the button find power,connect it. You should have a medal for lasting 25 years on this build,my hyde wouldn't last that long!!

I bought that harness at least two years ago, and it was just what I wanted for my use of this truck. I don’t even have a radio or heater installed although I have both.

My main question was about the horn set up itself. I don’t understand why there are two relays. I would think that the one on the firewall would be all that’s needed.

I’m thinking of mounting the two horns in the original (as in (FAM) configuration and powering them off of the one relay on the firewall.

Anyway, I’ve got to get out there and see where it’s at regarding the info you posted. Thanks again.
Larry

Yes. I’ll do some testing today. I’ll tell my wife about your comment about a medal. She'll get a kick out of that! She's got 5 acres of scrub oak she wants hauled off. 🤠

Larry

Per your photo, that is not the stock location for the relay or the horns. The relay is normally mounted on the firewall
and the horns on the core support. Someone changed it and left the old one on the firewall. If you are OK with the location
leave it or you can move them.
Fred

I don't think stock location matters in this case. Non-stock wiring, connectors, ac generator, and fuel filter aren't stock either, so the illusion of stock is already blown.

I didn't catch there were two relays in question. My info was for the old school one seen between the horn trumpets. Does not matter where these items are mounted really. A stock style configuration would have horn trumpets up front, one on either side of radiator. One would be marked "High Note" and the other "Low Note" for a harmonising toot. One relay will suffice. Wired as I said for the OG type and as per instructions on the solid state model.

You say you don't understand why there are two relays. Are you saying one is installed already between the horns by a PO and the other came in the AAW kit? In that case, you do "have" two relays. AAW does not know if a person already has one, or if they do, thay may want to switch to solid state.
Let us know what happens, be sure the hot leads to horns is fused.

So it seems that the person who installed the horns bypassed the relay that is in between the horns and used the one that is on the firewall. The two wires from the horns are on the same terminal as the one from the firewall relay: the H terminal. The horns are a high and a low note. The bracket is actually well made so I’m going to keep it. As far as being worried about “illusions” of stock, that ship left the dock a long time ago. I don’t have time today to finish the job, but I’ll post shortly about the outcome.
Thank you all for the help.

Larry

Larry, disregard how I referred to the relays. I really don't know what all the relays you have and intend to use are Old school, OG or solid state. I don't have enough pics or part number info. I just know how to wire them.

I think you will have no trouble getting the horns to work. keep up the good work.

Thank you. I do appreciate the conversation. It helps me think through the job.

I finally took the time to follow the troubleshooting guide in the FSM, and discovered that the horn button that makes contact from the mast jacket bearing to the steering wheel wasn’t making contact. I had used a new replacement button. I cleaned up the old one which looked a little longer, and the horns honk!

Thanks again everyone,
Larry