Horn doesn't work 1985 power ram W150

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Brucecmc

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Horn works direct from battery. Have amperage at the steering wheel (light tested, not metered). No amperage at the connector wires at the horn itself. My prob is that I don't know where to check between the steering wheel and the hops heading out to the horn to check wiring and presence of current.

Seems if the fuse or the relay were fouled, I wouldn't have successful test at the connectors at the steering wheel (checked fuse, appears good. No clicking at the relay)
 

crazzywolfie

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it is possible that the relay has gone bad. the horn button supplies the relay with ground when you press the horn button.
 
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Brucecmc

Brucecmc

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Horn don't work

That relay could be messed up even though I'm showing light test success at the steering wheel?
 

crazzywolfie

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the horn wire gets it ground from the steering wheel and grounds the relay which let power go through the relay to the horn. you could possibly pull the horn relay and use a jumper cable to see if you can get the horn working from in the cab. if you are able to then the horn relay is most likely bad.
 
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Brucecmc

Brucecmc

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Cool. I'll give that a shot. Ran into a new prob today. Engine will only start/stay running if I have the ignition in the start position. Mr Google says ballast resistor or ignition switch. I'll prolly post new thread for this. But figured while you were responding I'd see if u had thoughts on that symptom.
 

crazzywolfie

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that sounds like a bad ballast resister. you can try bypassing it with a jumper cable but if that fixes it you may want to replace as soon as possible. a jumper cable bypassing the ballast resister will get you off the side of the road but can kill the coil if left too long.
 
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Brucecmc

Brucecmc

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Horn don't work

Thought it wud be a quick Google search. But guess not. Alright,
1. On the 85 W150 where is the ballast resistor. And
2. How is it by passed?

I feel like a dork.

Thanks for the help
 
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Brucecmc

Brucecmc

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Well figured out how to by pass the ballast resistor. Truck wouldn't start at all. Reconnected the BR and again, it will start when ignition is on and dies as soon as I release.
Ignition switch maybe?
 

crazzywolfie

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it could be the ignition switch but i would try testing all the fuses for power with the key in the on position. you could have had a fusible link fail which would stop your horn from working along with many other things.
 
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Brucecmc

Brucecmc

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i just noted, none of the gauges work either when I place the ignition switch in either the start or run positions...I kinda know what th fusable link is, but I'm thinking the fuse box is going to say "fuseable link" ???
 
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Brucecmc

Brucecmc

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would that also cause this condition i'm talking about with the truck running in the start position, but when releasing, it dies? or is that something else entirely?
 
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Brucecmc

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Well, horn still doesn't work, but the truck starts again. Weird. I stepped thru checking the availability of power at the fusible link. Hot on both sides. One of the links has been spiced off. But it checked good also. Moved up to the ballast resistor. Turned key to run position, and no power on either terminal. Thought maybe my test light wasn't grounded well, moved it around a little. Still nothing. Tested the light with the pos side of battery. Wiggled it around a little and at first got nothing. Wiggled the ground on light and hit the pos batt term and all of a sudden the enterior cab alarm started blaring. Jumped in and she cranked right up. Wtf. Gremlins?
 
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Brucecmc

Brucecmc

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Worse than gremlins. 32 year old loose connection somewhere !!!!! Ughgh. Haven't seen the last of this.
 

crazzywolfie

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i know all about the gremlins. my 81 has them but i have hunted them down for now. the big thing is just properly fixing them eventually. under my hood looks like a electrical nightmare to anyone other than me.

did you install the alarm in the truck? could possibly be a bad connection at the ballast resister or somewhere and poking around under the hood fixed it. just keep some wire on had just in case it quits working. when in doubt just run a new power wire to the ballast resister from the battery. wouldn't be the first time i have had to do something like that. next time it acts up i would still check the fuses in the cab for power with the key on to see which may or may not be getting power. you could still have a failing fusible link.
 
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Brucecmc

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Horn don't

Thanks wolfie

Appreciate ur responses. And that fusible link appeared good. And I agree, under the hood is like looking at octopi having sex. Really old octopi.

My cousin who helped me trace some told me "don't go too far from home without tools and spare parts". Lol.

I gotta circle back in this thread to see what was said about the horn and how to chase that down. I kinda highjacked this thread to beg info about the bigger problem. Doh!!!

Thanks again.
 

crazzywolfie

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hahaha. i practically know how to hotwire almost everything on these trucks.

i would pull the horn relay and make a jumper accross 2 of the terminals to see if you can get the horn working from inside the cab. if a jumper cable make the horn work from inside the cab then your issue is most likely a bad relay.
 
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Brucecmc

Brucecmc

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Horn don't work

Yea, that relay is next on the list to isolate out.

I'm a fledgling at this and by no means am I a mech. So, I rely on this kinda info. I'll keep ya posted in the progress of the horn.

Thanks Brutha.
 

crazzywolfie

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no problem. i end up helping my dad with the same stuff. he understand the basic on off switches and how to use the a test light but trouble shooting is not his best area. i am the one who usually fixes electrical issues for him. i wish he was driving a dodge since i know them in and out but he has a ford so i am always learning something new with each issue.
 
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Brucecmc

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HORN WORKS!!!!!! 1985 power ram W150

After testing this, testing that, checking wiring, blah blah, turned out to be the horn relay!!!! She honks like a dream now.
 

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