Lionel EP5 horn problem

A couple. First, tap the top of the horn once or twice with the end of a screwdriver, firmly but not hard enough to dent it. Second, remove the horn assembly and unsolder the wire at the junction point. Take two (or three) D batterys taped end to end and manually blow it. Sometimes extra voltage frees it up internally. Third, with the horn removed, spray a liberal amount of WD-40 inside the horn and on the adjustment screw. Let it sit overnight and try it again (blowing it). The screw might be unfrozen by then also.

Tony Sincius

TCA# 97-45101

Very often tapping the diaphragm (the metal plate inside the hole in the center of the horn) while trying to blow it (applying power) will get it going.

Another thing to try is a quick shot of power from your toy train transformer, say around 12-15 volts. JUST A QUICK SHOT FOR PERHAPS A SECOND

Sometimes a horn won't sound any more that a little click when the battery holder is making poor contact. Clean the contact areas of the battery holder.

The horn relay contacts might need cleaning too.

Finally, sometimes the armature (moving part) of the horn relay doesn't make good contact with the relay frame.

I agree with all of the posts but instead of using multiple D cells I have had success with using a 9V battery for a short amount of time. It seems to loosen everything up inside the horn. I also use contact cleaner on both ends of the horn relay so the points get cleaned along with the contact area. Let us know how you make out.      Lenny J

One more thought: I think I would use contact cleaner, not WD-40.

Some folks use WD-40, others prefer not to.

I use it on tools, not on trains.

Gentlemen. Thanks for all your suggestions, but so far no luck.

I applied electronic contact cleaner inside the horn and on the relay contacts.

I used a 9V battery for a short burst, all while the engine idled on the track while applying the horn button on the ZW.

The horn still emits a buzzing sound, but not the diesel horn sound.

The horn should sound like a bicycle horn. They do not sound like a real diesel horn. Perhaps it's working fine ?