'73 Coupe - Horn Relay Replacement

[Jerry Britsch]

The horn in my '73 was not working when I acquired the car late last year. Since then I have replaced the horn itself (and tested it with a 12 volt souce) and installed a horn kit on the steering column but still can't get it to work. The only item left short of replacing wiring in the steering column is to replace the horn relay. Unfortunately, none of the local auto part stores nor two large catalog companies carry a horn relay for the '73. Any idea where I might find one? Can I canabalize a later model relay? Thanks for any help.

[Joe L.]

Re: '73 Coupe - Horn Relay Replacement

Jerry-----

The 72-73 Corvette horn relay, GM #3996283, is discontinued. For an NOS example, try Dr. Rebuild. I think that he may have some of these.

[Roger C.]

Re: '73 Coupe - Horn Relay Replacement

Jerry,
Ecklers now offers a replacement Its their # 42404

[Patrick H.]

Re: '73 Coupe - Horn Relay Replacement

They aren't that hard to find in NOS or used form on ebay or at Carlisle.

Joe, do you know if these were originally held on with a special nut (rubber?) from the wheelwell side? That's what it seems to be on my 72, but I have a parts store unit on the car that I want to replace with a correct one, and the screw from the engine side of the wheelwell will turn forever.

Patrick

[Joe L.]

Re: '73 Coupe - Horn Relay Replacement

Patrick-----

Yes, they were held on with a special nut. The nut is GM #3876130 and, believe it or not, it's still available from GM. The problem is that it comes in a package of 20 so you will need to buy a lot of them unless your dealer stocks them.

The screw was also a special one and the same as used for some voltage regulators. It's GM #3876129 and it's still available, too.

[Michael H.]

Re: '73 Coupe - Horn Relay Replacement

Hey Jerry -

Have you checked to see if the horn relay is working, the horn wire is hot, etc? Before you go buying parts it would be a good idea to trace the circuit with a test lamp, starting at the horn switch in the steering hub. First pop the horn button and check the horn wire with a test light - it should always be hot. Then progress down the circuit until you have located the problem.