My horn died
- Kapahulu
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I took apart the left switch pod and looked at the horn switch. Doesn't seem serviceable, I did spray some electrical contact cleaner on it. Put it back together and the horn still doesn't work.
In addition I wired a battery directly to the horn itself and it honks. So there's something wrong with the wiring between the switch and the horn. I traced the wiring as best I could and it seems like the wires are still connected.
What else can be done to check the horn? Or just replace the left switch pod?
1978 KZ1000, 1976 KZ900, 1975 H2, 1973 H1, 1973 H2, 1978 RD400, 1977 RD400, 1974 RD350
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- MFolks
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If your bike is like mine, the horn wiring is Brown with white stripe(the hot circuit) and Black with white stripe is the ground circuit.
1982 GPZ1100 B2
General Dynamics/Convair 1983-1993
GLCM BGM-109 Tomahawk, AGM-129A Advanced Cruise Missile (ACM)
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- larrycavan
- Visitor
I changed the handlebars today. When I was done, I noticed the horn was no longer working. There's a good chance it has something to do with the handlebar change but I'm not sure.
I took apart the left switch pod and looked at the horn switch. Doesn't seem serviceable, I did spray some electrical contact cleaner on it. Put it back together and the horn still doesn't work.
In addition I wired a battery directly to the horn itself and it honks. So there's something wrong with the wiring between the switch and the horn. I traced the wiring as best I could and it seems like the wires are still connected.
What else can be done to check the horn? Or just replace the left switch pod?
Bars are probably not grounded. Seems impossible, I know but that happens. Had it happen with some black drag bars a million years ago.
Loosen 1 switch clamp bolt. Wrap a piece of wire around it, tighten it, ground it to the motor...turn on key...push botton.....should HONK. Then figure out how you're going to get the new bars grounded.
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- Kapahulu
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1978 KZ1000, 1976 KZ900, 1975 H2, 1973 H1, 1973 H2, 1978 RD400, 1977 RD400, 1974 RD350
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- Patton
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Brown is hot wire from ignition switch (battery positive).
Black/white wire is to ground through the horn button.
When the button is pushed, the black/white is supposed to ground, whereby the horn is supposed to emit its pitiful beep .
For wiring diagram, click > kzrider.com/index.php?option=com_docman&...d&gid=485&Itemid=108
See excerpt below.
Good Fortune!
[Click on image to enlarge view.]
1973 Z1
KZ900 LTD
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- gd4now
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- Denco where did you go?
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1977 KZ650 B1
Pods and Denco header
OLD KAW OWNERS SMILE ALOT
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- Patton
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Some horns have a screw adjustment to achieve the best sound.
Good Fortune!
1973 Z1
KZ900 LTD
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- Kapahulu
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Tomorrow I'll try the grounding test with the wire. By the way, the new handlebars are aluminum. Think that could be an issue? The other functions (turn signals, hi/lo beam etc.) work correctly.
1978 KZ1000, 1976 KZ900, 1975 H2, 1973 H1, 1973 H2, 1978 RD400, 1977 RD400, 1974 RD350
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- Patton
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The horn works, I tested it on a battery today.
Tomorrow I'll try the grounding test with the wire. By the way, the new handlebars are aluminum. Think that could be an issue? The other functions (turn signals, hi/lo beam etc.) work correctly.
Imo aluminum handlebars are not an issue.
Where horn itself works, the issue would be failure of power from the brown wire, and/or failure to ground the black/white wire when pushing the button.
Might also check integrity of the connectors on ends of wires where they attach to the horn, to assure the connectors are providing good continuity between the wires and horn terminals.
One or both connectors may have failed..
Would check for power inside connector to brown wire.
And ohm check for continuity between inside of other connector and black/white wire.
Good Fortune!
1973 Z1
KZ900 LTD
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- larrycavan
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I sanded the coating off where they sit in the clamps. Sanded the inside of the clamps also.... cured the horn problem.
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- MFolks
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1982 GPZ1100 B2
General Dynamics/Convair 1983-1993
GLCM BGM-109 Tomahawk, AGM-129A Advanced Cruise Missile (ACM)
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- Kapahulu
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1978 KZ1000, 1976 KZ900, 1975 H2, 1973 H1, 1973 H2, 1978 RD400, 1977 RD400, 1974 RD350
2strokeworld.com
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