Horn Relay questions
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
From: Arecibo P.R.
Horn Relay questions
Hello,
Now that the lighting is working, I'm turning my attention to the horn.
The horns are missing. Good cause for not to work
I was able to find the original horn connectors green wire under a mound of electrical tape and I traced it to the horn relay and the wire is OK.
My question is: Does the horn relay controls anything else other than the horn? The horn relay was buried under mounds of electrical tape and it looks pretty bad. But I'm worried if I start messing around with it, I may change the rotation of the planet or something like that because there are a lot of wires there.
Any hints on tracing the horn button back to the relay? or how to "force" the relay to see if it works?
Thanks,
Ismael
1970 Coupe
Now that the lighting is working, I'm turning my attention to the horn.
The horns are missing. Good cause for not to work
I was able to find the original horn connectors green wire under a mound of electrical tape and I traced it to the horn relay and the wire is OK.
My question is: Does the horn relay controls anything else other than the horn? The horn relay was buried under mounds of electrical tape and it looks pretty bad. But I'm worried if I start messing around with it, I may change the rotation of the planet or something like that because there are a lot of wires there.
Any hints on tracing the horn button back to the relay? or how to "force" the relay to see if it works?
Thanks,
Ismael
1970 Coupe
Last edited by ismaelg; Dec 16, 2008 at 09:39 AM.
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
The horn relay is a 12v power junction and a horn relay and a buzzer.You can pretty much see the heavy wires come in and just tie together. To test the horn part you should see a small black wire term next to the dk green term-grounding the black wire term should trip the relay and make the horn blow.
The pink wire is for the key buzzer-just cut that wire and throw it away-just kidding I hate that buzzer bzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
The pink wire is for the key buzzer-just cut that wire and throw it away-just kidding I hate that buzzer bzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
From: Arecibo P.R.
Thanks!
I think I have narrowed it down to the relay itself. There are 12V at the junction, there is continuity between the green wire connector and the end connector that connects to the horn itself. There are 12V in the black wire connector and when I press the horn button it goes down to 3V. So everything seems to be there. The relay seems to be dead.
I might be crazy, but I'm actually enjoying this
Thanks,
Ismael
1970 coupe
I think I have narrowed it down to the relay itself. There are 12V at the junction, there is continuity between the green wire connector and the end connector that connects to the horn itself. There are 12V in the black wire connector and when I press the horn button it goes down to 3V. So everything seems to be there. The relay seems to be dead.
I might be crazy, but I'm actually enjoying this
Thanks,
Ismael
1970 coupe
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,092
Likes: 5
From: Fayetteville Arkansas
there's a few things that hook into that relay and honestly I would say your best bet is to get some good wiring diagrams.... docrebuild.com make some really good ones and I am glad I got them for my 72 when I started working on it!!! Best of luck!
Sully
Sully
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 945
Likes: 1
The horn relay is hot all the time and has a fusable link in the line. I agree that if it looks bad put in a new one and I also agree that you should ge a wiring diagram before messing with it. If the fuseable link fries the car will be dead. disconnect the neg battery cable before playing with the wiring.
To test the horn ground the black wire as mentioned above. If it doesn't work disconnect the connector and power the horn with a separate 12v source. I had to trace the horn wiring back to the steering column harmonica connector (black wire, circuit 28). The wiring was good to the harmonica connector so I bought a horn contact repair kit for the steering column from a CF vendor for about $49 and it fixed the problem.
To test the horn ground the black wire as mentioned above. If it doesn't work disconnect the connector and power the horn with a separate 12v source. I had to trace the horn wiring back to the steering column harmonica connector (black wire, circuit 28). The wiring was good to the harmonica connector so I bought a horn contact repair kit for the steering column from a CF vendor for about $49 and it fixed the problem.
Last edited by Bobz08C6; Dec 16, 2008 at 03:58 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,877
Likes: 3,556
From: Fernandina Beach FL
2023 Restomod of the Year finalist
2020 C3 of the Year Winner - Modified
You've just got some bad/dirty/rusted contacts inside.
Disconnect the battery first!!! Then pry/pop off the metal relay cover. You'll see a coil in the center and at the top a set of contacts. You should be able to push the top and see the contats move up and down. Get some sandpaper (220 is fine) and clean up the contacts.
That should do it!!!
Richard
Disconnect the battery first!!! Then pry/pop off the metal relay cover. You'll see a coil in the center and at the top a set of contacts. You should be able to push the top and see the contats move up and down. Get some sandpaper (220 is fine) and clean up the contacts.
That should do it!!!
Richard
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Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,877
Likes: 3,556
From: Fernandina Beach FL
2023 Restomod of the Year finalist
2020 C3 of the Year Winner - Modified
You're right!!!! I've been sanding my hardwood floors-so I think I was a little off- a little swayed- since I've been using 36 grit....
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
From: Arecibo P.R.
Hi,
Well, I thought, What the heck!
I opened the cover of what looks to be the original 39 years old relay. It is hopelessly rusted inside. It was not perfectly airtight and 39 years of humidity is a long time
Anyways, I carefully cleaned it and lightly sanded the contacts. I tried moving it up and down and it was hard to move. I put everything back and when I press the horn button I hear it clicking and I see the contacts moving slightly, but not enough to fully work. So that was a good exercise.
However: The BUZZER now works..... ALL THE TIME
You need to have a good sense of humor to work on this or you'll go nuts
When is the buzzer supposed to work? What is it suppose to indicate? Key in the ignition? ignition in ON but not running?
Thanks,
Ismael
1970 coupe
Well, I thought, What the heck!
I opened the cover of what looks to be the original 39 years old relay. It is hopelessly rusted inside. It was not perfectly airtight and 39 years of humidity is a long time
Anyways, I carefully cleaned it and lightly sanded the contacts. I tried moving it up and down and it was hard to move. I put everything back and when I press the horn button I hear it clicking and I see the contacts moving slightly, but not enough to fully work. So that was a good exercise.
However: The BUZZER now works..... ALL THE TIME
You need to have a good sense of humor to work on this or you'll go nuts
When is the buzzer supposed to work? What is it suppose to indicate? Key in the ignition? ignition in ON but not running?
Thanks,
Ismael
1970 coupe
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 12,706
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From: Scottsdale Arizona
