Horn is possessed....bad switch? Input (help) is welcome

[Thor]

Out of 20 years of Harleys, this is my first time with this. Sorry for long read, but wanna cover everything I've checked.

Since December (ride year round, bike is primary vehicle), my horn has started honking at random. I tried to see if it followed an occurrence (turning left/right, hit bump, etc), it doesn't. Thought it was my Howards Horn set up, so I unplugged the wire and put OEM horn back on (I didn't cut original wiring....used spade terminal to OE pos wire to activate Air Horn), but it's still happening. Looked along wiring sheath under tank (have tank lift, so removed tank to look), no pinches or tears in wire insulation. Removed handlebar switch cover to check for possible short, found all in good condition. Followed along handlebar and again, no split or pinching. Thought I fixed last night, went to run errands today, went 30 miles with no problem, got in my neighborhood, and was on straightaway when horn started honking like crazy again

Sooooo, I guess tomorrow I'm checking the last place I haven't been into, the inner fairing. If I dont find anything there, I'm at a loss other than the switch itself....if the horn switch goes bad, will it do this?

Info on bike: 2012 Tri Glide, owned since August 2015, 15K miles. Ride in rain, snow, etc (if that helps).

Thanks in advance....damn electrical gremlin is giving me fits :Shrug:

 

[Gorilla]

Possibly the switch on the handlebar?

 

[Thor]

Possibly the switch on the handlebar?

That's all I can think of...but I've never seen one go bad, and didnt know if thats how they started acting

 

[HDB0B]

Possibly the switch on the handlebar?

Agree! ThumbUp

Bob

 

[peteg59]

As all have said, switch is the most likely culprit.
A circuit needs to be "completed" for the horn to sound. In a perfect world, the switch does the circuit completing.
Sounds like you're getting your moneys worth outta her, riding year round eh, ThorThumbUp
Good luck & let us know what you find...

 

[Thor]

Switch "feels" normal, but it's the last thing in line. I pulled the fairing off today and went through all the wiring with a fine-tooth comb (even unplugged many of the components so I could see the harness underneath). Everything from stem to stern seems ok, switch is the last piece. Since it happens randomly (but increasing in frequency), cant really test the switch, so I'll replace it. it's not too expensive.

As all have said, switch is the most likely culprit.
A circuit needs to be "completed" for the horn to sound. In a perfect world, the switch does the circuit completing.
Sounds like you're getting your moneys worth outta her, riding year round eh, ThorThumbUp
Good luck & let us know what you find...

Yessir! Have always ridden in rain (and cold), this is the first year I rode to work in the snow too (twice). LOVE the looks at work (I work the doors at a bar and strip club) 90% of regulars only know me as "that crazy bike dude" when they ask for me