Upper horn contact, OEM vs Repop
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 12,399
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From: San Jose CA
Upper horn contact, OEM vs Repop
So, I had a recent thread (http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...th-cap-on.html) on this subject.
Just got a new horn contact from Rich Willhoff @ Abel GM (the best parts guy I know, period (RichieRichZ06)) and replaced the aftermarket repop.
Problem solved. The crux of the issue is that the tolerances in the repop part are VERY tight, so tight that when the horn contact is on the horn is pretty much permanently sounding. This could probably be fixed by removing the plastic and adding non-conductive shim material (as mentioned by ...Roger...(see link)) between the metal pieces of the contact. I chose not to take his advice as I'd already given into the dark demon of throwing parts at it by the time that came to revelation.
Now, this would be a crappy thread if I didn't add some pics or something, so here it is.
GM part (3949103):
Repro part:
I'd also very MUCH like to thank Roger and Jim Shea for all the help they've given me. We have a number of very smart people on this board that make it a great place to be. I wish I could take all of you out to dinner!
*edit*
Oh yes, and of COURSE Willcox! There's a reason I always check them first when I order restoration parts.
Just got a new horn contact from Rich Willhoff @ Abel GM (the best parts guy I know, period (RichieRichZ06)) and replaced the aftermarket repop.
Problem solved. The crux of the issue is that the tolerances in the repop part are VERY tight, so tight that when the horn contact is on the horn is pretty much permanently sounding. This could probably be fixed by removing the plastic and adding non-conductive shim material (as mentioned by ...Roger...(see link)) between the metal pieces of the contact. I chose not to take his advice as I'd already given into the dark demon of throwing parts at it by the time that came to revelation.
Now, this would be a crappy thread if I didn't add some pics or something, so here it is.
GM part (3949103):
Repro part:
I'd also very MUCH like to thank Roger and Jim Shea for all the help they've given me. We have a number of very smart people on this board that make it a great place to be. I wish I could take all of you out to dinner!
*edit*
Oh yes, and of COURSE Willcox! There's a reason I always check them first when I order restoration parts.
Last edited by Shark Racer; May 19, 2012 at 06:17 PM.
Le Mans Master
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From: mount holly NC
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Original vs repop
Hi Shark Racer,
I followed your posts as my problem is that my horn button rattles and will pop off if you press it except dead center.
I also bought a repop and still had the same problem, thanks for posting a solution.
And yes thanks to Roger, Jim Shea and Willcox for there help.
I thought old age had set in when I could not connect a horn button to the contact properly.
I followed your posts as my problem is that my horn button rattles and will pop off if you press it except dead center.
I also bought a repop and still had the same problem, thanks for posting a solution.
And yes thanks to Roger, Jim Shea and Willcox for there help.
I thought old age had set in when I could not connect a horn button to the contact properly.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 113
From: Saginaw Michigan
Thanks for posting the solution to your problem. Too often we never hear about the solution. We are left with the following: The poster never did fix it; the person that posted died; something did fix the problem but the poster did not have time to inform us; something did fix the problem but the poster will only reveal the solution for big bucks.
I guess we need some new questions before we proceed with thoughts on fixing a problem. "Did your problem start when you replaced the part?", "Is the replaced part a repo?", "Does it say China, Viet Nam, Phillipines, etc on the box"?
Jim
I guess we need some new questions before we proceed with thoughts on fixing a problem. "Did your problem start when you replaced the part?", "Is the replaced part a repo?", "Does it say China, Viet Nam, Phillipines, etc on the box"?
Jim
