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Topic: Air Horns not Working (Read 591 times) previous topic - next topic

Air Horns not Working

In June I tooted the horns to a neighbor but by August they no longer worked. Today I checked the 10A fuse under the dashboard and it was ok. So now I'm wondering what else to look at. No sounds at all.

Craig
1993 U225 36' Unihome GV with PACBRAKE exhaust retarder, Banks Stinger and Solar Panels.
Toad: 1999 Jeep Wrangler 2-door soft-top.

"No one has ever had to evacuate a city because the solar panels broke."

Re: Air Horns not Working

Reply #1 –
Craig,

Check your wiring diagram, but at least on the 1993 U240, there is a horn RELAY under the far left side of the dash (flip up the dash to check it).

If that is OK, then, check the horn solenoid which controls air to the horns.

Brett
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Air Horns not Working

Reply #2 –
I think it's the horn pushbutton itself. While I was looking for the relay (and pushing the horn to see what might click under the dash) the horn assembly suddenly came loose and the steering wheel extended to its maximum height. Right now it's still at max and the horn assembly, which normally can be tightened to hold the steering whee at a comfortable position, is fully extended. I can push down on the steering wheel but it pops right back up.

The center of the steering wheel just rotates back and forth with no effect.

I assume there is a way to get this apart but it wasn't immediately obvious. I'm not going to drive it until I am positive that the steering wheel itself cannot come off. :D

Craig
1993 U225 36' Unihome GV with PACBRAKE exhaust retarder, Banks Stinger and Solar Panels.
Toad: 1999 Jeep Wrangler 2-door soft-top.

"No one has ever had to evacuate a city because the solar panels broke."

Re: Air Horns not Working

Reply #3 –
If I remember correctly there is a nut to tighten that will make the horn knob again lock the steering wheel in what ever position you want. I think the horn button will pop out of the knurled knob and then the nut will be visible
previous 1984 35 ft ORED 250 HP 3208 Cat       
previous 1998 40 ft U295 CAI 325 hp Cummins
previous 2003 40 Ft u320 build #6140 450 Cummins M11.                                                         
1999 Mazda Miata
Ron, Nancy, Tipper the cat, Max The dog
1997 U 270 36 ft build number 5174 8.3 Cummins

Re: Air Horns not Working

Reply #4 –
Quote from: red tractor –
If I remember correctly there is a nut to tighten that will make the horn knob again lock the steering wheel in what ever position you want. I think the horn button will pop out of the knurled knob and then the nut will be visible

Ok I'll give that a try. I didn't want to break anything trying to pry the horn button out. :)

Thanks. :D

Craig
1993 U225 36' Unihome GV with PACBRAKE exhaust retarder, Banks Stinger and Solar Panels.
Toad: 1999 Jeep Wrangler 2-door soft-top.

"No one has ever had to evacuate a city because the solar panels broke."

Re: Air Horns not Working

Reply #5 –
Craig, To get at the nut that controls the raise/lower function of the horn button do this.
Very carefully use a thin blade ( not Sharp) to pry up edge of horn button, not the soft rubbery material, this is mounted to a metal PAN, pry up on the edge til you can see the metal pan, then carefully pry up all around the horn button.  Then you can see the nut that you are looking for.  Put the wheel in full up position and tighten the nut.  Put wheel in full down position to make sure you have full travel, if not loosen nut and try again til you get it right.  Reinstall the horn button.  You may have to glue down edge of horn button to metal pan it is attached to.
Gary B
 

Re: Air Horns not Working

Reply #6 –
As usual, the forum comes through. We followed the directions Gary's explicit directions and discovered that the connecting wire for the air horn relay was not connected to the horn switch. Sue and I tightened the nut (it's surprisingly hard... she used both hands to hold the wheel while I used both hands on the wrench. Then I re-did the wire connection and reassembled the horn (simply pressing it into its depression... it's a light press fit).

Then we fired up the Cummins, waited for air pressure... and "viola!" the air horns worked and the steering wheel was in the proper position.

Then we drove the 45 miles round trip to dump the tanks, empty the fresh water tank (which was almost emplty anyway) and warm up everything. Back home in the dark we parked, hooked up, drove over to get burritos for dinner and headed for home to eat.

Thanks all who gave us instructions. We need to mark this thread. I have little doubt that it will be an issue for someone in the future.

Craig
1993 U225 36' Unihome GV with PACBRAKE exhaust retarder, Banks Stinger and Solar Panels.
Toad: 1999 Jeep Wrangler 2-door soft-top.

"No one has ever had to evacuate a city because the solar panels broke."