Topic: Can't Blow my Horn
in Forum: C3 Electrical
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Lifetime MemberModerator
Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20214
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/
Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight"
#2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto
Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
The orange(or red) is from the fuse box.
The green goes to the horn(s)
Black goes to the horn button, and provides the ground for the relay. If you jumper the green & orange(red) wires(with the relay unplugged), the horn(s) should sound. Assuming, of course, that the fuse is good, and the relay has power to it on the orange(red) wire....and that the horn(s) works.
With it all plugged in, you can ground the black wire, and see if the relay clicks/horn sounds. If it does, your problem is in the black wire from the horn button.
If you have an ohm-meter, you can check the horn button there, also. Black lead to a good ground, red lead to the black wire on the relay connector. There should be no continuity until you press the horn button.
hth
The green goes to the horn(s)
Black goes to the horn button, and provides the ground for the relay. If you jumper the green & orange(red) wires(with the relay unplugged), the horn(s) should sound. Assuming, of course, that the fuse is good, and the relay has power to it on the orange(red) wire....and that the horn(s) works.
With it all plugged in, you can ground the black wire, and see if the relay clicks/horn sounds. If it does, your problem is in the black wire from the horn button.
If you have an ohm-meter, you can check the horn button there, also. Black lead to a good ground, red lead to the black wire on the relay connector. There should be no continuity until you press the horn button.
hth
Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56 
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"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"
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Man Jeff, it really sucks when you can't blow your own horn. 
Dave
Lifetime Member #116
Dave's '82 
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HOT SPRINGS NATIONAL PARK, AR - USA
Joined: 11/12/2003
Posts: 190
Vette(s): 1978 (25th Annv. Edition)Red, Black interior, 4-Speed Transmission, L-82, Power & Air, Very Rare Option Package(Only 145 Red 1978s with a 4 speed trans) & Very Original Car, with original Window Sticker, Bill of Sale and all documentaion.
I just had this problem occur yesterday, but the cause is a question. When I flipped up the tilt wheel on my 78 the horn went off and would not stop until I lowered the tilt wheel to the lowest point. Now it will not sound at all.
I went through the steps outlined above and can make the horn sound with at jumper wire and the relay does not look burned and has continuity through the coil side. I am assuming at this point the problem is in the collum.
Are there parts that can fail in the collum?
Does anybody have a wiring diagram of the collum?
I guess the wire could have shorted or broken or come off a connector in the collum since that seems to be where the issue started.
Any ideas what this problem can be?
John D. Grant "Corvette; Cure for the common mid-life crisis!"
Lifetime MemberModerator
Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20214
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/
Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight"
#2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto
Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
Dammit....I just spent 20 minutes typing a response, hit "Post", and the dam thing went back to the topic page, without posting....
Anyway...long story short, John....the problem is most likely a break in the wiring in the column. Witht he tilt wheel, the wiring bends, and over time, can cause breaks in the wires, and sometimes the wires will short. If it happens to be the horn ground wire that shorts, the horn will toot until the wire is moved, and contact is lost. Sounds like you're going to be digging into the column. You might be able to find/repair the wiring. If not, you might wind up replacing the turn signal switch.
Would be worth removing the steering wheel and having a look, to make sure it is nothing simple on the top end, but your description of the problem points to a wiring break.
Anyway...long story short, John....the problem is most likely a break in the wiring in the column. Witht he tilt wheel, the wiring bends, and over time, can cause breaks in the wires, and sometimes the wires will short. If it happens to be the horn ground wire that shorts, the horn will toot until the wire is moved, and contact is lost. Sounds like you're going to be digging into the column. You might be able to find/repair the wiring. If not, you might wind up replacing the turn signal switch.
Would be worth removing the steering wheel and having a look, to make sure it is nothing simple on the top end, but your description of the problem points to a wiring break.
Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56
My Link
(click for Texas-sized view!) NCRS
"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"
Former Member
Send PM
HOT SPRINGS NATIONAL PARK, AR - USA
Joined: 11/12/2003
Posts: 190
Vette(s): 1978 (25th Annv. Edition)Red, Black interior, 4-Speed Transmission, L-82, Power & Air, Very Rare Option Package(Only 145 Red 1978s with a 4 speed trans) & Very Original Car, with original Window Sticker, Bill of Sale and all documentaion.
Joel,
Thank you very much for your response and for making me realize my worst fears! lol
I do appreciate your response and I know what I will be doing next weekend!
Damn, not what I had in mind.
That is what I get for driving a classic (old) car.
I will post you what I find when I pull it a part.
Thanks again,
John
John D. Grant "Corvette; Cure for the common mid-life crisis!"
20111115155328r.jpg)
I did replace my horn relay and got all excited when I got my first toot, but not much after that. Hit it just right and once in a while it works. looks like I gotta start checking under the button too.
Jeff, sort of make's sense as you had no brake lights at eboland!
ebo
ebo
ebo
ebo said: Jeff, sort of make's sense as you had no brake lights at eboland!
ebo
Got that figured out. Pulled the plug on the brake light switch, crossed the connection and shazam, Brake lights. Got a new switch coming.ebo
Former Member
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HOT SPRINGS NATIONAL PARK, AR - USA
Joined: 11/12/2003
Posts: 190
Vette(s): 1978 (25th Annv. Edition)Red, Black interior, 4-Speed Transmission, L-82, Power & Air, Very Rare Option Package(Only 145 Red 1978s with a 4 speed trans) & Very Original Car, with original Window Sticker, Bill of Sale and all documentaion.
As it turns out my horn problem was that the retainer insulator that retains the eyelet above the horn spring popped out and caused my horn to sound.
After I removed the horn button and lever spacer I put it all back togther and it works as normal. An easy fix.
I do think the insulator that is in the steering collum needs to be replaced because it allowed the retainer insulator to pop out.
If anyone else has this particular issue this may be your fix.
John D. Grant "Corvette; Cure for the common mid-life crisis!"
in Forum: C3 Electrical
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