Horn Trouble

[TG3]

Hello,

I just bought a 1997 Air Nautique., Great shape, but has a few things needing some attention.

One is the horn, it won't honk.. When you push the button you can hear it try but its just a hollow buzz sound.

Here is what I did to try to diagnose. Using a voltmeter, I have 12V to the hot side of the horn button. When I press the button, I have around 9 volts coming out. I pulled the horns out (what a pain) and they work when jumpered straight from the battery. I reinstalled the horns, and jumpered 12v from the battery to the wire going to the horn from back of the button (it was unplugged from the button) to rule out the wiring loom. Horns worked with that jumper. I then jumpered from the hot wire at the horn button to the wire going to the horns, bypassing the button all together. The horns worked.

This made me believe it must be the switch. Ordered new switch from Nautique Parts.com and when I installed it, I have the same problem. I checked voltage at the new button and same output, around 9 volts.

So what else could it be? Could the horns actually be bad, needing a full hot load of 12 volts to work, when they should only require the 9 volts I'm getting out of the switch?

Thanks for the help!!

[NautiqueJeff]

I have had many horns go bad over the years. Just replace it and you'll be all set.

[TG3]

Thanks Nautique Jeff. We went out today and when the boat is running the horn works fine. It also worked ok for a few minutes after we shut the boat off, but after about 10 minutes, it did not. So it sounds like you are correct, flaky horn! I am going to order up a new horn tonight!

[shag]

Those horns they used are just basic ones that I'm surprised lasted this long. They easily get water in them and after some time they quit. Like Jeff says get a new one and you'll be set.. I would go ahead and get new terminal connectors (heat shrink ones) as well.