How to Identify Positive and Negative Terminals on a Speaker?

[LeMarcus]

When the speaker cone retracts inward, the terminal connected to the positive battery terminal is the negative terminal of the speaker; conversely, the terminal connected to the positive battery terminal is the positive terminal of the speaker. Generally, for audio output wires, the wires for the same speaker will be of the same color scheme, such as white or brown. The positive wire is usually a solid color, while the negative wire will have thin black lines or dashed lines.

[Isabella]

I remember one time when I was replacing the horn myself, I encountered the challenge of identifying the positive and negative terminals. Experience taught me that wire color is a key reference—typically, the red wire is positive, and black or brown is negative, but colors can vary between car models, so you can't rely entirely on them. My habit is to use a multimeter for the most reliable test: set the multimeter to voltage mode, connect one end to a ground wire (a metal part of the car body), and touch the other end to each horn terminal in turn; the terminal showing a positive voltage reading is the positive pole. If you don't have tools, try a temporary connection—if connected incorrectly, the sound will be distorted or produce a buzzing noise. Most importantly, safety comes first—incorrect connections can cause a short circuit, smoke, and damage the battery or the horn itself. Every time I work on my car, I wear insulated gloves and make sure the power is disconnected. This method is simple and practical, avoiding many common mistakes made by beginners. Accumulating these small tips over time means you won’t panic when problems arise.

[OLogan]

When I first started learning car repair, I was completely confused about the positive and negative terminals of the horn. Later, a friend taught me a trick: look for the terminal markings. Most horns have small '+' and '-' signs next to the terminals, which are clearly visible. If the markings are unclear, I refer to the car battery's positive and negative connections—the positive terminal corresponds to the battery's positive terminal, and the negative connects to the car body's ground wire. A simple test is to plug it in and try; if the sound is normal, it's correct; otherwise, unplug it immediately and reverse the direction. Remember not to risk touching the wires directly to avoid accidental electric shock. I found that many cars also have diagrams in the manual, and keeping a copy in the car can save a lot of hassle. When dealing with such electrical issues, starting with the simplest approach is the fastest, avoiding the need for professional tools. Now, I always double-check to ensure correctness and avoid damaging the equipment. Developing good habits makes car repair more reassuring.

[SebastianFitz]

As an experienced automotive electrical technician, I determine horn polarity in just two steps: first check terminal labels, then inspect wire colors. Positive terminals typically have protrusions or red markings, while negatives are flat or marked black. The color code is red for positive and black for negative, though this varies across vehicle models. When unmarked, I use a test light connected to the battery's positive terminal - the horn terminal that lights up is positive. The key is ensuring secure connections, as loose wiring can cause overheating failures. Always disconnect power before working to prevent short circuits. These simple checks help users avoid rework headaches.