Why does the horn have power but the electric start doesn't work?
2 Answers
If the starter motor does not turn at all during electric start, check the electric start switch and starter relay. Engine weakness: If the engine turns very slowly and is obviously weak during electric start, check whether the battery is low on power, whether the battery terminals are corroded, and whether there is a problem with the starter motor, such as worn carbon brushes or a dirty sleeve with gaps filled with dust. Failure to start: If the engine turns quickly during electric start but fails to start, it is usually due to damaged ignition system components, such as a faulty ignition coil, ignition unit, magneto stator coil, excessive distance between the trigger coil and the rotor trigger block, or demagnetization of the rotor. However, these issues only affect electric start, and sometimes the engine can still start normally when using kick start.
My old car also had the issue where the horn worked but the engine wouldn't start. It happened on a freezing winter morning when I was in a hurry to get to work. The horn sounded when I pressed it, but there was no response when I turned the key. I pulled over and figured it might be a poor contact in the starter relay—since the horn requires less power and worked fine, but starting the engine needs a higher current, and the aging relay might have gotten stuck. I tried opening the fuse box to check the relevant fuses; they weren’t blown but were slightly loose. After tightening them, it actually worked. I also learned some maintenance tips for the starting system: older cars need frequent checks for battery terminal corrosion and relay contacts; if the issue repeats, it might be a starter motor problem. In such cases, don’t panic—first ensure a safe environment before troubleshooting, or you might waste time. Finally, the mechanic advised me to get a circuit inspection every six months to avoid breakdowns—developing good habits saves trouble.
