What is it with old Toyota horns?

[mikey]

What is the secret to keep my horn working reliably? I've got this problem with my '86 Tercel, I had it with my '84 Tercel, and come to think of it, I had it with my old '85 Camry. I take the horn part of the steering wheel apart, clean everything, put it together, and all works well. Then, days or weeks later, when I have to actually use the horn, it won't work! Or maybe it will.

I'm almost certain that the problem is right at the horn button, but it seems like voodoo. Help?

[Petros]

it is just oxidation build-up on the contact surfaces. Try some tuner cleaner spray, or a electrical contact lube like LPS or Corrosion-X spray, CRC, etc. (not WD-40), it should slow corrosion formation and improve the electrical contacts. This is not unique to Toyota horns, all my old cars have had this issue, Volvo, VW, Porsche, Nissan, etc.

Electrical contacts make tiny arcs when contact is made, and this allow corrosion to start, and than reliable contact is eventually lost. The sprays that prevent corrosion from forming also allows electricity to pass through the compound.

[garyfish]

here's links to a couple threads that may prove helpful:

https://tercel4wd.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=4008

https://tercel4wd.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=2040

let us know how things work out for ya

[takza]

Might go the Eye-talian air horn route? I doubt that it's the switch...more likely the horn is rusted/corroded? They are like a buzzer...contacts eventually wear out?

I've had a set of FIAM (?) that I've used for +20 years on various cars. Last set I bought were tuned "American style"...my wagon sounds like a '73 Caddy.

I couldn't even FIND the OEM horn on my wagon...took a while.

[Trev]

I refuse to use my horn. I think all Toyota horns sound wimpy. Most people will probably think a moped was using its horn.

[ARCHINSTL]

If after resolving the horn button problem (keith has a great post in the link garyfish provided) you want to add horns - https://tercel4wd.com/forums/viewtopic.php? ... orn#p29677 .
Tom M.

[blade]

well i did a great switch i took the horn's (yes two) off a 1999 ford f150 and redid so me wires and BAM my horn is soo dam loud i used it when a cop cut me off and i scared the shit right out of him i saw him jump lollollollollollollol