Horn Relay

[war_eagle0110]

I am a new clipper owner and member of ACOC (YEA!!!) and am currently restoring my new Clipper back to a functional RV. In my effort to make it roadworthy and safe, I wanted to repair the horns. Well, I cannot find the horn relay! The horn button itself is funtional down through the steering column. I have a 1977 Dodge 440 Rear Kitchen. The vehicle was previously owned by an EMA/Rescue Squad that used it as a Command Post. Being as no one was responsible for day to day maintenance, much of this vehicle is a "Patch" job. Please, is there anyone out there that can help me locate the horn relay?    Also, does anyone have a wiring diagram for this vehicle(Not for the coach) that includes the wiring for the horn and heater/ac?(They had a house rheostat rigged up to operate the blower moter for the heater!!!) Help!!!

[Bill Walker]

I've got a factory service manuals for '76 Dodge van and '76 Dodge motorhomes. Looks like (at least for '76) there is no separate horn relay.

Here's your test procedure:
(1) put a jumper from the ground terminal of the horn to ground -- if the horn works OK (got to press it). Problem is in the horn switch or wiring to/from horn switch.
(2) With the gnd jumper still connected -- run a wire from battery + terminal to the + terminal on the horn. If it doen't honk then the horn is bad.

Note: The horn should draw 6 amps. So even if you show you are getting a good ground on an ohmmeter when you depress the horn, it might not be a good enough ground for the 6 amp current draw. The above procedure should isolate the bad horn switch (most likely your problem). Oh, once you get it working you should adjust the tone screw so you get approximately 6 amps current draw.

If you are going to be doing a lot of work or repairs on your Clipper -- suggest you get a factory service manual. Try book4cars.com -- they have a bunch of old factory manuals. That's where I got mine (price was $30 to $40). These are good folks to deal with -- shipped within a week.

Have a Happy New Year -- and blow your horn!

[Bill Walker]

Whoops, I think it's books4cars.com

[Richard Peterson]

Remember that you have two horns on your van.  One under the battery and one under the heater unit.  Disconnect one when testing the other and you will be less confused.  Neither of mine worked on my 77 when I got it but it turned out to be only the adjustment that needed "tuning".  The horn switch on the steering wheel brings the horn circuit to ground, there is no relay.  Once you have one horn working, go to the other and then hook both of them back up.  At this point you may need to re-adjust the horns to keep them both working.  

[melkathyguerrera]

KEN there is no relay on our dodges .Horns are mounted above ground and whene you push button it send 12 volt to horns . You can mount a relay under hood and there is 3 terms 1 for power 1 for horns and 1 for horn button . You can call me and I can tell you how to test and ground hours to blow like I had to do to my clipper and dodge pick up .You have to get a universal horn relay at a auto elctical store . Our horns have a plastic backing and when there mounted on the body they have 2 wires to horn under the batt and have a pair of jumper wires to 2nd horn on the right side and you have to remove the grill to get to the bolts . I put later year horns that have body ground when you mount them . supply officer mel guerrera You can look up my phone # If you come to kings city I will show you mine         mailto:melkatdistco@msn.com">melkatdistco@msn.com  [*]