Horn not working

[eurocrazy]

I have a Ford Festiva 3-door 2000.

I noticed yesterday that my horn has stopped working. I did check the fuses under the dash but there was not one for 'horn'. I am happy to check under the hood I just want to have an idea if it is a problem with the part inside the steering wheel or with the horn itself or the wiring somewhere in between. Any help will be much appreciated.

[GenevaDirt]

horn is up under the bumper in the right hand corner. Check the wires and ground. There is a horn relay up under the dash....you may hear it clicking as you hit the button....check it too. Depending on your car, some Festys had them in both corners.

By the way...where are you located, 2000 puts you overseas I'm sure. Add location to your profile when you get a chance. Welcome to the site.

[eurocrazy]

thanks, I will have a look over the weekend and spend some real procrastinating time having a tinker.

[georgeb]

My horn doesn't work either. The relay clicks so I eliminated the fuse and the relay. I swapped a horn from another Festy. It still doesn't work. I need to jump the original horn to check it. Problem must be in the secondary side of the relay. Can't find new replacement. Need to go to JY.

[NicholasJackson]

I might be going up past brisbane tomorrow and i have a 98 horn you can have if you like.

- Nick.

[FB71]

Festiva horns are notorious for failing (around here anyway). Use a test light to verify voltage at the horn (have a helper press the button), and if it is, just go buy a $15 horn from your local McAuto Parts.

[WmWatt]

Located low under the bumper the horn and connections are prone to rust. Most often the problem is a bad ground at the horn due to rust. I moved mine up into the engine compartment. There is at least one unused threaded hole on the inside of the fender. I cut a piece of plastic to put between the horn and fender for electrical insulation.

[eurocrazy]

sounds good, I just have to work out how to remove the one I have. Thanks.

[georgeb]

I had to use a short 10mm box wrench to remove mine. Spray the other side (from the wheel well) with PB.

[AlaskaFestivaGuy]

Festy horns fail everywhere. I get one, sometimes two, years out of new horns. My relays never fail. I seem to recall on the LXs that the windshield washer reservoir is down there and makes access to the horn a pain.

[eurocrazy]

I now have a Haynes '91-'97 so hopefully I will be able to use it to replace the horn. I will check for voltage at the relay etc and then see about replacing the actual horn. Thanks everyone.

[zoom zoom]

Id just get on eBay and snag one of those super sweet dukes of hazard horns. Probably be easier to hook up if you know where the power wire is and it'll likely last longer. + the added benefit of the classic general lee horn

If you've had the steering wheel off or partially apart recently i'd caution you to double check its getting contact before getting too far into this, some steering wheel/horn contact points are tricky. I drive an aspire and I'm not sure if the festys have the same arresting wheel or not. G/l!

[Bert]

There is a bit of a conniption to get at the horn but use a flashlight to get a 10mm wrench or socket on it after soaking everything with penetrating oil. Do not forget to attach the ground wire to wherever the instructions direct (usually the mounting bracket) otherwise the darn thing won't toot). Happened to me last year.

[eurocrazy]

thanks for all the help, I have now installed air horns, they work fine and make my car sound like a truck