1915 Mag Horn not working

Discuss all things Model T related.
Forum rules
If you need help logging in, or have question about how something works, use the Support forum located here Support Forum
Complete set of Forum Rules Forum Rules

Topic author
Model T Ron
Posts: 322
Joined: Tue Jun 08, 2021 12:31 am
First Name: Ronald
Last Name: Bakow
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1915 Model T Touring
Location: Troutman, NC
MTFCI Number: 25350

1915 Mag Horn not working

Post by Model T Ron » Fri Sep 24, 2021 8:13 pm

Hey Guys
i recently got a Mag Horn from a fellow member on hear and it worked great and then it just stopped working. When I got home I took out the floor boards and made sure all my new wiring was good and it checked out. I then cranked the car and hit the horn button when standing over the open hood and I could hear a very faint sound when pressing the button. I then gently tapped of the horn base with a small rubber hammer and and I could hear a bit of a horn......a few more taps and it was working just fine. I then went for a 15 mile ride and used the horn quite a bit and all was well till the end of the ride when she went out once more. Can anyone on hear give a few pointers on Mag Horn adjustment?

Thanks
Ron


Topic author
Model T Ron
Posts: 322
Joined: Tue Jun 08, 2021 12:31 am
First Name: Ronald
Last Name: Bakow
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1915 Model T Touring
Location: Troutman, NC
MTFCI Number: 25350

Re: 1915 Mag Horn not working

Post by Model T Ron » Sun Sep 26, 2021 12:27 pm

Can anyone help?


Wotherj
Posts: 5
Joined: Sat Jan 12, 2019 5:36 pm
First Name: James
Last Name: Wotherspoon
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1915, 1924, 1926
Location: Vic - Australia

Re: 1915 Mag Horn not working

Post by Wotherj » Sun Sep 26, 2021 7:32 pm

Hi Ron,
There's a set screw and locking nut at the base of the horn bell. It can be accessed with a long screwdriver. It's possible that it may have unscrewed itself, but it's probably more likely to be that the contact points are dirty.
Magneto horns are easy to pull apart and pretty easy to work on. I'd pull it apart and check the diaphragm, the set screw and the contact points. It may just need a bit of a clean.

Cheers,
James.

User avatar

dr1960
Posts: 122
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 10:45 pm
First Name: David
Last Name: Ruedy
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1915 Model T Runabout
Location: Yukon, Oklahoma
MTFCA Number: 50076

Re: 1915 Mag Horn not working

Post by dr1960 » Sun Sep 26, 2021 9:36 pm

Hi Ron, sorry to hear you are having trouble with it. The business card from the guy that rebuilt it and sold it to me at Hershey was with the horn. If you can contact him, he may be able to help. Also, that horn should have both terminals insulated from the body, so you might check to make sure the insulators are still keeping the terminal lugs from shorting to the case. If you can't get it to work, let me know. Was not my intention to pass on a dud.
David - Yukon, OK
1915 Model T Runabout


Topic author
Model T Ron
Posts: 322
Joined: Tue Jun 08, 2021 12:31 am
First Name: Ronald
Last Name: Bakow
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1915 Model T Touring
Location: Troutman, NC
MTFCI Number: 25350

Re: 1915 Mag Horn not working

Post by Model T Ron » Sun Sep 26, 2021 11:35 pm

dr1960 wrote:
Sun Sep 26, 2021 9:36 pm
Hi Ron, sorry to hear you are having trouble with it. The business card from the guy that rebuilt it and sold it to me at Hershey was with the horn. If you can contact him, he may be able to help. Also, that horn should have both terminals insulated from the body, so you might check to make sure the insulators are still keeping the terminal lugs from shorting to the case. If you can't get it to work, let me know. Was not my intention to pass on a dud.
David
You did not pass a dud as it worked just fine when I installed it......this is something very minor and I am sure I will get it sorted. I am very happy that you were able to get me the proper horn for a 1915 and little things like this happen with 106 year old parts lol. The wiring is fine but it just goes out after a bit.....a slight tap and works again. I will go look for the card and give the man a call but after seeing what was said above taking them apart is a snap.......by the way the mag horn scared the crap out of the deer :lol:

Ron


Topic author
Model T Ron
Posts: 322
Joined: Tue Jun 08, 2021 12:31 am
First Name: Ronald
Last Name: Bakow
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1915 Model T Touring
Location: Troutman, NC
MTFCI Number: 25350

Re: 1915 Mag Horn not working

Post by Model T Ron » Sun Sep 26, 2021 11:57 pm

David
Do you think it's possible the horn is getting to much power as I am not running on the original mag coils and the horn is the only thing on it? i do not think this is the case but your the electrical guy and I am more mechanical.

My thinking is the diaphragm may be just a bit to tight as I can hear a very slight sound when the horn goes out. When I say slight that's with my head in the engine compartment and reaching around to hit the button......slight tap tap and it works.

Thanks again and like i said this is minor....half the fun of this hobby is getting things to work.

Ron

User avatar

dr1960
Posts: 122
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 10:45 pm
First Name: David
Last Name: Ruedy
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1915 Model T Runabout
Location: Yukon, Oklahoma
MTFCA Number: 50076

Re: 1915 Mag Horn not working

Post by dr1960 » Mon Sep 27, 2021 7:51 am

Ron,

I can't imagine any electrical issue with the horn being the only thing powered by the mag. With a healthy mag, it should work great. I think you are on to something with the other advice given regarding the adjustment. Always something on these old cars and part of the learning experience. I hope you are back in business soon. Glad to hear the deer heard you coming!
David - Yukon, OK
1915 Model T Runabout

User avatar

dr1960
Posts: 122
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 10:45 pm
First Name: David
Last Name: Ruedy
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1915 Model T Runabout
Location: Yukon, Oklahoma
MTFCA Number: 50076

Re: 1915 Mag Horn not working

Post by dr1960 » Wed Oct 27, 2021 11:57 am

Were you able to get the horn adjustment worked out? Would be good to hear what you had to do.
David - Yukon, OK
1915 Model T Runabout


speedytinc
Posts: 3838
Joined: Fri Feb 12, 2021 12:24 pm
First Name: john
Last Name: karvaly
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 14/15 wide track roadster. 23 touring, 27 roadster pickup, 20ish rajo touring
Location: orange, ca
MTFCA Number: 14383
Board Member Since: 2020

Re: 1915 Mag Horn not working

Post by speedytinc » Wed Oct 27, 2021 1:37 pm

Tapping it to get it to work sounds like a ground issue. I have a persnickety battery horn that acts the same way. The diaphragm adjustment cant magically come back into re-adjustment?

Post Reply Previous topicNext topic