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Weak Horn

The horn on our 2001 U270 has gotten weak. Where should I start looking for the problem?
Rob & Di
2001 U270 34'

Re: Weak Horn

Reply #1
Make sure it's getting enough air,if you have 2 horns listen and try and tell if both of them are weak or just one,if only one it's a
problem with that horn,if both it may be an air supply problem.
96 U270 BUILD 4810
85 380SL
Drummonds TN.

Re: Weak Horn

Reply #2
If both horns are about the same DB level, try tapping on the horn solenoid while someone honks the horn.  The solenoid may not be opening all the way.
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: Weak Horn

Reply #3
Rob,
If you have air pressure and the horns are just week here is a lead.
With the area that you are from I would check to see how many dirt/mud daubers are in the trumpet necks. 

1. Take the covers off the front by removing the Philips screws.
2. Take the covers off the back by removing the 4 to 6 screws (depending on which model) This will expose the diaphragm. All these parts need to be put in a shallow pan as they have a tendency to fall off the roof.
3. Do not drop, bend, or damage the stainless steel diaphragm that is hid inside the back cover. Make sure you note which way it is setting in there as if turned over it will have a different tone due to how it has "set OEM" Clean it with a rag and set aside with the screws and cover.
4. Now take a look through the back side to see how stopped up the trumpet bore is. Use a 410g shot gun cleaning brush to swab out the nest.
5. Re assemble in the reverse order.
6. Do the other side as it will be the one that is stopped up after you didn't find any thing in the first horn.

Pamela & Mike



Pamela & Mike 97 U 320

"It's not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters."

Re: Weak Horn

Reply #4
Yes, dirt daubers have clogged mine more than once.  I installed aluminum window screen behind the horn covers.  The dirt daubers issue is solved and I don't hear any difference in the sound of the horns.

Re: Weak Horn

Reply #5
Thanks for your replies. I suspect dirt daubers as they keep getting into leveling system ports. I'll reply again once I can get to it. The coach is 100 miles from here.
Thanks again, Robert
Rob & Di
2001 U270 34'

Re: Weak Horn

Reply #6
Thanks again to everybody. My wife and I got to it today. She did most of the work as I'm 83 and she is nine years younger than I am. We removed the front covers on both horns and discovered dirt dauber nests in both. She scraped them out some with a long screwdriver. When I blew the horns, the remnants came flying out in little pieces. We didn't even bother with the back covers and the horns work great.
Robert
Rob & Di
2001 U270 34'

Re: Weak Horn

Reply #7
Rob,

You inspired me to do the same thing to my driver's side Hadley. It was sounding like it had a cold so I took the front cover off and found it clogged up with a big mud dauber nest in the front and a smaller one in the throat of the horn.  I used a long screw driver with the end bent in a U shape to pull it out and scrape it clean. It now has that great Hadley blast!

Thanks Mike for the excellent instructions for a thorough cleaning of the horn.  I'll get to that when I have more time. 

bdale,
Excellent idea for a screen to permanently block those pesky little rascals for good.  I have them on my furnace exhaust vents and no mud daubers can set up housekeeping there anymore!

Jerry

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Jerry and Cindy Maddux
1993 U300/36WTBI DD6v92TA
build 4271  "Miss Lou"
1995 suzuki sidekick 4x4 toad
Gulfport, Ms

"Pride of Ownership"

Re: Weak Horn

Reply #8
There IS an option:
1993 U-240 "La Villa Grande"..CAT 3116 w/ Pacbrake PRXB...Allison 3060 6-speed..
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Re: Weak Horn

Reply #9
Thanks again to everybody. My wife and I got to it today. She did most of the work as I'm 83 and she is nine years younger than I am.
Robert

Cradle robber!
My brother in law thinks I am one, I am six years older than my wife.
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Pam Sapienza
Vader PupZilla Labrador Canine Beast (AKA Pup)
Columbia, MO
1996 U320 4000
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