Horn trouble shoot

[area52]

On my 06' Marlin are 2 external horns. A couple of weeks ago they started to get fainter and fainter sounding. Now they are dead completely. How would I go about locating the problem?

Thanks for any responses.

 

[Enough Already]

You may get other "fix-it" advice but I find the horn unit on mine is on about a 4-5 year replace cycle. You might remove the horn and check voltage when the button is pressed to ensure you are getting full volts. If so, might be time to replace. Ongaro seems to have better quality than the generic API replacements, although you may have to look a bit harder to find them.

 

[Fishtales]

I've heard of some folks trying to fix them, I have not looked into it. They are cheap enough to replace. I find them to be of poor quality on a 4 year replacement cycle.

 

[seasick]

You say you have dual horns and they both got weaker at the same time?
If that is true, the problem is probably electrical like a weak connection or switch. That sounds logical but the reality is that one horn may have gone south and then the second went. It may not be easy to tell if both went at the same time or each one at a time slowly. As mentioned the horns don't last forever but if you want to check the electrical supply, unscrew the horns and pull the wires out until you see the crimp connectors. The horn bracket will be set in either adhesive or more likely silicone so you will need to work at it a bit. Once you have the crimp connectors exposed, use a voltmeter to measure the voltage between the connectors on the horn side when the horn button is pressed. It should read close to sitting battery voltage ( you don't need to start the motors as long as the batteries are decently charged.)
If the voltage is low and that would be a volt or more below standing battery voltage you have a wiring/connector/switch issue. Most likely the horns are bad. It is not super difficult to open the horns to check the vibrator contact but usually the inner guts are rusted and adjustment doesn't help.
I second Ongaro, and choose the stainless option.

 

[area52]

Just an update. It was the horn itself. Tools you should have- electrical tape, wire snips, wire stripper, crimps(which I did not have, so I just twisted the wires together and taped them tightly). It was a simple job. Just study the old hookup closely before you start.

 

[Stonewall]

I really find it hard to believe that GW is still using those wimpy horns in the first place. I would certainly not replace them with the same kind.

 

[area52]

I really find it hard to believe that GW is still using those wimpy horns in the first place. I would certainly not replace them with the same kind.

You may be right, I replaced them with Ongaro's which are original equipment, but anything that lasts 5 years in a very heavy saltwater(and hard streams of fresh water) enviornment seem pretty good to me.