405 Horn - does it only work with engine running

The horn on my daughter's '89 405 (petrol) will only operate with the engine
running.

With the ignition on, pressing the horn button will operate a relay and dim
the dash lights but the horn doesn't work.

Is that normal for these cars? Well, it is French........

I don't want to start pulling the electrics apart for no reason. The Haynes
manual electrical diagrams aren't a lot of use as they don't cover her car.
Some parts do, soem don't.


Ron Beckett
Emu Plains, Australia
1995 P38A Range Rover HSE 4.6 Litre V8
1984 Land Rover 110 County 3.5 Litre V8

 

Hello,

although I can only talk about the German version of this car (I got
one), I doubt this is normal.

The behaviour of my car is:

a) Horn and flash lights work with and without ignition.
b) Pushing the horn button (on the top end of the direction lever) does
not switch any relay
c) Pulling the lever gives flash light, if the front light is off
d) When lights are on, flash light does not work, but switches to high
beam (so you have to switch to low beam again)

Hope this helps,

Gerd.

 

Find the horn, clean the contacts, ensure a good earth.
Seems like a poor earth which is being overcome by the extra power from the
alternator whilst the engine is running.
DaveK.

 

Thanks gents.

I suspected that it should work with the engine off. I shall look into it.

Regards

Ron